Make Journaling a Habit and Write Often

Many people are familiar with journaling as a concept. It is the process of writing our feelings and thoughts down on paper or in electronic format. However, there are a great many of these people who have not moved from simply knowing what journaling is to making it into an active habit.

There are many valid reasons why people write or document their lives, or aspects of them, in a journal. People write journals to log memories of their day. Others write to vent and express emotions (this is cathartic). Some may use it to jot down inspiration and others to document their plans and talk about their dreams.

Many people have written a journal entry at least once in their life even if they don’t write regularly. In school, we’re often first taught of this practice in our Language classes.

The question is, have you kept the habit of journaling with you, or have you gone into adulthood dreading it for various reasons? Writing a journal is a very healthy practice, but this doesn’t mean that most people make journaling a part of their habitual routine.

How Journaling Benefits Us According to Science

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of journaling every day. It not only enhances our successful goal attainment, but it has also proven overall health benefits. According to science, the practice of journaling or writing thoughts down on paper is a left-brain activity that benefits the brain’s holistic development.

When we’re able to purge our thoughts and emotions by getting them out and into our journal, it leaves our right brain to roam freely and allows creativity to flourish. In the process, we are also removing mental blocks and can find increased clarity in terms of expressing ourselves.

The many benefits of journaling in so many areas means that when it is made into a regular habit, it greatly contributes to improving a person’s quality of life overall.

The More You Do Something, the Better You Get

Journaling is a great practice and an excellent habit to keep for the rest of our lives. The truth is, there are no hard and fast rules for journaling, but if there is one to apply, it is to do it as regularly as possible. Some people find it a struggle to keep up with journaling when they perceive the habit as a chore to accomplish every time.

They may struggle with finding time as well as a safe and private space where they can freely express themselves. Also, a mindset that says they need to write well or be able to express themselves eloquently all the time creates mental barriers that can make journaling a struggle. This is counter-productive when it’s originally intended to be helpful for you, a feel-good practice.

The bottom line is, for maximum effectiveness, it is best to journal as often as you can. If you struggle with keeping the practice but would like to establish journaling as a habit, these tips could help make journal writing one of your go-to self-care practices from now on.

Choose A Notebook You Love to Write In

To help turn journaling into a practice that you love to do, pick out a journal that you love writing in. Choose a notebook that pleases you at the mere sight of it and one that makes you want to jump at its blank pages and write your heart out. Or find an app that resonates with you. If you simply use a Word document or similar, create a decorated template to make it more appealing to you.

Keep it Handy

We live in the digital age, where most people will likely have their phones and laptops with them a lot more than their favorite notebooks. If your journal is on your computer or phone, that’s okay. Just make writing easy to do at every chance you get. If that means typing on your computer or phone, that’s just as good – just do it!

Turn it into a Ritual

To turn journaling into a habit will involve mindful effort on your end at the beginning. Try scheduling it in your calendar and establish a regular time for journaling each day. You can also dedicate a space where you feel safe to write in your journal or even prepare journal prompts or outlines if you need help with getting started. You can even set the mood by lighting some candles to help you relax before you write. Make it easy and turn it into a ritual with these tips in no time.

For Your Eyes Only

Your journal is meant only for you. A journal is designed for this purpose unless you deliberately want other people to read it. If you’re wary about keeping your journal private and away from the prying eyes of others, protect your document with a password or store it in a safe place where only you can access it.

Express Yourself

As said, there are no rules to journaling, except to bring your authentic self into the activity. Be yourself! Get as creative as you possibly can be. Never compare your journal to someone else’s and express yourself honestly when you journal. Learn to love yourself more through your self-expression.