So you have your gorgeous new notebook and a pen you love. You’ve started writing freely every night but the whole journaling experience feels unnatural, uncomfortable. They told you it was going to change your life but the only change you’re noticing is that it’s another thing on your to-do list.
If the traditional way of writing in a journal isn’t working for you, here are six more ideas so you can play and find a new way to write regularly:
1. The morning pages
Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, a book I recommend to ignite your creativity, recommends writing three pages first thing in the morning, upon waking up. She calls these the morning pages. According to Julia, “Morning Pages provoke, clarify, comfort, cajole, prioritize and synchronize the day at hand.”
It’s an easy-to-follow process. Wake up. Grab pen and journal. Write for three pages. Once that’s done, go on with your day. Do it again tomorrow.
2. The gratitude journal
Before sleeping, write down five things you’re grateful for. These can range from big ideas (“my family,” “the community that supports me”) to little pleasures (“the delicious ice cream cone from my corner Family Mart,” “the unexpected Viber message from my best friend”). Writing in your gratitude journal daily will shift your awareness from what’s not working in your life to what is.
3. The planner journal
At the end of the day, you can write a few notes in a space in your planner about how the day went, how you feel about it and what you’re looking forward to tomorrow. This is something quick that can be done in less than five minutes. If you do this consistently, you can begin to see patterns and make the changes you want in your life.
4. The art journal
A daily sketch or collage. A quote that you wrote in beautiful calligraphy. Printed Instagram photos stuck on a page with a quick caption. Pasted ephemera (movie tickets, a napkin from the restaurant you ate in, a cute tag). This exercise in creativity will also be a beautiful keepsake for you.
5. The letter journal
I start all my journal entries with “Dear wiser self.” If that feels too vague for you, you can consider writing as if to your best friend, your oldest child, your mom. You don’t need to send these journals to them. They can be written with as much honesty as you want but it will help you feel as if you’re having a conversation with a real person.
6. The prompts journal
There are pre-made journals with written prompts already. Or you can participate in my 31-day journaling challenge (it’s not too late, I promise) and use the prompts I made. Writing with prompts has been life-changing for me. Answering questions that never come up in normal conversations has clarified my thoughts, my intentions, my direction.
Journaling has been an essential tool for my self-care. If you’re looking for more self-care ideas (as well as practices for more courage, gratitude and joy), sign up for my monthly Joyful Little Note below.
