Did you know that journaling makes people better leaders?
When it comes to journaling most people think about a diary or self-discovery. However, journaling comes with many benefits for everyone.
Do you want to start your journal but have no idea where to actually begin?
If so, keep reading to hear more about the benefits of journaling, journal ideas, tips for journaling, and journaling prompts!
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Benefits of Journaling
Why should you journal? It is going to take time out of your day and besides that, you have no clue what to write about.
It is easy to feel that way, but there are many journaling ideas available out there. Also, journaling provides some great benefits. If you are feeling stressed about starting college, a new job, or just stressed about life in general, then journaling can help reduce stress.
Writing in a journal can also help you boost your mood. Sometimes it helps to get your thoughts out there and take a moment to breathe. Another surprising benefit of journaling is that it can help boost your immune system.
A journal can also improve your writing, help you set and achieve goals, keep your thoughts organized, boost your memory, and inspire creativity. This list is only scratching the surface of the benefits of journaling.
With all of these journaling benefits, it is worth it to take some time out of your day to write down your thoughts.
Related Read: 10 Different Types Of Journaling & Which Writing Type is Right for You
Journaling Tips
If you are convinced that the benefits of journaling are worth the effort then you must next know, how to journal. Here is a secret, there is no right answer.
The biggest thing you need to remember when you are journaling is that this is for you. If you want to write about the weird hat you saw the lady at the restaurant wearing, then go for it.
Journaling is about you and meant for your eyes alone unless you choose to share it. Remember that your journal entries do not need to be pages long in order to qualify.
If you feel like writing half a page one day and ten pages the next, then that is okay. Do not overthink it.
As you begin journaling it is best to get in a routine. Once you begin journaling it can become a habit, however, it will be easy to forget in the moment. If you are worried this will be a struggle, then ask someone to keep you accountable until it becomes a habit.
Choose how you want to journal. If you need some journal ideas you can use paper, Microsoft word, a private online blog, or other ways.
Then make sure that when you are ready to write your journal is accessible. Another fun way to journal for the artsy is through drawing.
At the end of the day if you are struggling to know what to write then use journaling prompts. Prompts can help give you a jumping-off point, and inspire you when you are feeling uninspired.
Related Read: 10+ Best Journaling Tips and Advice to Get You Started or Unstuck
10+ Best Journaling Prompts
You now know the benefits of journaling and tips to help you in how to journal, however, you might still be at a loss for ideas. Inspiration has not struck and you are staring at the page and afraid it will forever be blank.
If you need ideas for journaling then these journal prompts are for you. Remember though, there is no wrong or right way to do this, so just do it.
1. Write a Letter
Have you ever had something you wanted to say, but you were not sure how to say it? Sometimes writing our thoughts down can help us to know how to have the conversation in reality.
In that moment when you need to have a conversation but are not ready, write a letter. Express the things you want to say good or bad. Do not edit yourself.
Remember that this letter is for you, not for the person you are writing it to. If you decide that later you want to share some of it with them, then pull the pieces you want to share.
2. Write Seasonal Prompts
Thankful November is a great example of seasonal prompts. During the month of November take the time to write about the things you are grateful for every day.
You can keep this going all year if you want to. Keeping a gratitude journal can help us focus less on the negative and more on the positive in our lives.
In December write about gifts you have been given in your life and not only the tangible ones. Around Valentine’s day start writing about love in your life. In March, write about the things in your life that make you feel lucky.
Focusing on themes throughout the year can help you have an idea of where to start.
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3. Write About Today
Dear diary, today I… this is a common starting to a child’s diary. However, writing about your day does not need to look like this. You can write about what you saw and what you felt.
Writing about your day comes down to being able to process what happened within your day and make sense of it.
4. Write for Self-Discovery
If you want to get to know yourself better take the time to write about and answer questions that help you discover who you are. Questions that you can answer are far and wide.
What do you know to be true that you did not know a year ago? This one will help you be able to explore how you have learned and grown in only a year.
When do you feel most yourself and connected to yourself? Writing about this will help you discover who you are, and what situations you may be comfortable or uncomfortable in.
If someone described me, what would they say? This offers the opportunity to reflect on who you are from outside yourself. How does the outside world perceive you?
5. Write Your Emotions
Emotions are difficult to handle at times. Writing how you are feeling and what you are experiencing can help you process your emotions in a new way.
It also allows you to read back and see what you have experienced and how you have dealt with it in the past. This can help on your journey of growth.
Questions you can answer will relate to how you are feeling, what is causing the feeling, how you are dealing with it, and other ways to process and deal with the emotions you are experiencing.
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6. Write Silly
It is great to write about what you are feeling and self-discovery. It does not need to be all serious all the time though. Sometimes it is fun to start writing and see what comes out.
You can write about the neighbor’s yard gnome and his secret spy life after dark. Or about your college professor’s secret mission to indoctrinate all of his students. Write a story and have fun, remember it is for you, not a publisher.
7. Write Memories
It can be fun to write your memories. As the years go by we start to remember things differently. Writing your memories can allow you to document your life.
Who knows, at some point in the future your journal might become a treasure trove of memories for your family. What was your favorite childhood memory? Or how did you decide what you wanted to do with your life?
8. Write Dreams
Do you dream of being a teacher someday? Write about that. Write what you want out of life and why.
Years down the road when your dreams change or you lose sight of them it can help to look back.
9. Write Goals
When you write your goals down do not only write, “I want to be a teacher.” Write how you plan to achieve those goals. The steps and the timeline.
Writing goals and setting timelines can help you achieve those goals. It is always better to have those thoughts on paper. Goals can live in your head forever and never be accomplished.
So write your goals and then take the steps to achieve them. Make your goals S.M.A.R.T.
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10. Write About Quotes
Do you have a favorite quote? Or have you recently come across a quote that you love? Write that quote at the top of your journal.
Then write what it means to you. Why does this quote inspire you? How does this quote keep you moving forward on a daily basis.
11. Create a Journal Jar
if at the end of the day, you have read these prompts and you still cannot decide what to write then create a journal jar.
Your journal jar is going to be full of ideas. Write down ideas for things you can write about on a piece of paper and toss it in your idea journal jar.
When you are feeling stuck, pull out a piece of paper and write that topic or question.
Start Writing
Whatever you choose to write about, just start writing. These journaling prompts can give you a great place to start. However, at the end of the day, write what you want to write.
Was this article helpful for you? Head over to the self-improvement section of the website and keep reading for more great tips and tricks to help you in your continued growth.
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