I started a journey of simple living a couple of months ago and it has helped me find more peace & stillness as I navigate this newest chapter of life as a working mom with 3 kids at very different stages of life. Though it’s been helpful, it hasn’t replaced one of the most comforting practices I return to again and again, which is journaling. Journaling has become a quiet anchor for my daily thoughts and feelings for the past eight years.
It hasn’t always been this way though. I still remember feeling lost while staring at a blank page, questioning whether or not I was doing it right, and wondering what the heck to even write about in the first place. So today, I’m sharing my step-by-step guide, along with some simple tips & 30 journal prompts, to make journaling feel approachable and enjoyable.
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My Step-By-Step Guide For Journaling Beginners.
Getting In The Journaling Mindset.
I wish someone told me, before I started journaling, that the key to getting started is to get into the journaling mindset. It would have given me direction, focus, and a purpose for my journaling.
To get into the journaling mindset, you have to ask yourself this question: “Why do I want to start journaling?”
Well, I remember when I first started journaling, I felt lost. I didn’t have the wherewithal to ask myself that question at the time, but looking back in hindsight, my answer would have probably been: “Because I want to make sense of my thoughts.”
So, by answering that question, you give yourself a reason why you want to start journaling. It will make your journaling practice more meaningful and you’ll be more likely to see your journaling to the end.
Creating A Daily Journaling Routine.
Once you have a purpose for your journaling, you can start creating a daily journaling routine. Pick a day and time that works best for you. In the beginning, I had to test out the best day and time for my journaling, before I could do it consistently.
I journaled first thing in the morning, at lunch time, while I was waiting to pick up my kids at school, while sipping tea, while listening to music, during the weekdays, during weekends, and right before bedtime.
I found that the best schedule for me was journaling first thing in the morning before everyone wakes up on most days of the week, so it’s quiet, it’s my only focus, and I have a break from it on the weekends.
Give yourself plenty of time for this step so you have a journaling routine that flows with your daily life and becomes second nature.
Picking A Journaling Method.
Believe it or not, there are many different ways to journal. To make things as simple as possible and to prevent overwhelm, I’m going to introduce a handful of journaling methods that you can choose from.
They’re basically divided into two major groups: unstructured, or freestyle, and structured.
Unstructured Journaling.
I’ve tried many methods of journaling and I’m going to share my favorite types, which are: morning pages, brain dumping, and everything journaling.
Morning pages were created by Julia Cameron, the author of The Artist’s Way, as a style of journaling that involves writing three pages of unfiltered streams of consciousness each morning. The purpose of this is to uncover blocks to artistic creativity, but it can be applied to journaling. This is my favorite way to journal right now and I write one messy page most mornings to clear my head and make sense of my thoughts & emotions.
Brain dumping is similar to morning pages in that it is unfiltered and free flowing but even less structured in that you can do it any day and any time you want. I love to use brain dumping when I need to brainstorm or just write with no purpose until I feel like stopping.
Everything journaling is putting all of your writing in one place (e.g. to-do lists, budgets, self-care tracking, travel, etc.). You can use this style of journaling to keep everything together so you’re saving time and not jumping from journal to journal.
Or, you can use it the way I do. I have a couple of everything journals sitting on my shelf because a) I didn’t have a journaling method that I liked in the beginning so I threw everything together in one place, and b) I use them to test different journaling methods.
Structured Journaling.
Structured journaling has either a particular framework, a purpose, or both. There are so many different types of structured journaling, that I’m only going to share the ones that I’ve tried or created myself: gratitude journaling, journaling prompts, journal spreads, and 123 journaling.
Gratitude journaling is writing down at least one thing you are grateful for each day. When I challenged myself to 30 days of gratitude journaling, I noticed my mindset shift from one of scarcity & lack to one of growth & abundance.
Journaling prompts are usually questions that have a theme and are meant to guide you and help you bring to light the things that are hidden from your consciousness. Some examples are: Who am I?, What are my strengths?, and What makes me happy?
Journal spreads are like mini scrapbooks of every day or major events of your life that you want to record and remember forever. They’re a fun and alternative way to journal that doesn’t involve a lot of writing.
1,2,3 journaling is writing down 1 thing you are grateful for, 2 things that made you smile, and 3 things that went right, every day. What I love about this type of journaling is that you can stack it on top of heavier types of journaling, like morning pages, so you address the positive along with the negative aspects of life.
Choosing Your Journal.
As a beginner, you’ll want to choose a journal that is simple. You don’t need a journal with lots of pages, so you don’t have to waste time or money if you decide to stop journaling. Or buy a journal with all the bells and whistles, for the very same reasons.
If you buy a small journal with a few pages to start with, you’ll know by the time you’re finished if you want to continue journaling and what type you want to buy and invest more money in when the time comes. With that in mind, there are many varieties of journals to choose from. I’ve broken them down into 3 categories: low end, mid range, & high end, to keep things simple.
Low end journals are very cost effective, usually between $1-$5. You can find them at discount stores or at the discounted section of department, grocery, and chain stores. The covers are not as sturdy and neither is the paper. They’re not as beautiful or exciting as the pricier ones either, but they get the job done and you won’t have buyer’s remorse if you purchase one.
Mid-range journals are between $5-$15. They usually have more features, such as hardcovers, pretty-colored spirals, and beautiful designs. I love the ecoroom spiral journals from Target and the hardcover journals you’ll often find at a deep discount in stores like Home Goods, TJ Maxx, and Ross. The covers are usually sturdy and the paper quality can rival the higher end journals.
High-end journals can be any price above $15. I have yet to purchase a high-end journal at retail price. I’ve found gems, like the $20+ Eccolo journal, in Home Goods for only $5. I’ve seen, and have yet to try, the popular Leuchtterm1917 bullet journal that has all the bells and whistles and a price tag to match, inside Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. They typically run between $25-$40+ per journal.
Purchasing Your First Journaling Tools.
The only other thing you really need for journaling, other than a notebook, is a pen. Right now, my favorite pen is the BIC Intensity Clic Black Gel Pen. It’s such a joy to write with because it glides on paper, has a vibrant color, doesn’t smudge, doesn’t bleed, dries quickly, and can be held in your hand very comfortably. It’s not as pricey as a fountain pen but does cost more than a ballpoint pen.
Other tools I recommend are:
-bookmarks, if your journal doesn’t have a built-in one
-a clear, 6 inch ruler for underlining, making straight lines, and boxing words
-clear tape for holding down ephemera
-a glue stick
Where To Keep Your Journal.
Journals are made for your eyes only, so I would recommend keeping yours somewhere safe. I keep mine in a drawer inside my desk. To my knowledge, no one has ever read my journal but me. It’s an unspoken rule in my house that my journal, or any journal, is always private property.
Another reason why I keep it near my bed is because I can reach it easily as soon as I get up in the morning so I can journal before I get my day started.
If you’re worried about someone reading your journal, I completely understand why you wouldn’t want to start one. When I was a child, I loved journaling. But I stopped because someone read it without my permission. It became an on again off again habit after that, until I took it up again about 8 years ago.
Another option is to write on a device that requires a password, like your phone, tablet, or computer. But this also is not a 100% guarantee. If you want to write a journal, despite all of these roadblocks, you can talk to the people you live with and explain to them that your journal is never to be opened by anyone but you.
One more thing to think about is what to do with your journal when you’re done with it. You might want to keep it or you might want to destroy or get rid of it when you reach the end. If you want to keep it, then find a safe place in your home where you can keep your old journals. I keep my old journals in a small bookshelf in my room.
Simple Tips For Journaling Beginners.
Create A Simple Journaling Structure.
Journaling can feel overwhelming if you’re a newbie. To prevent this from happening, start slow. I used to journal just a paragraph a day because I didn’t know what to write, it’s all I had time for, and I didn’t want to add more to my already growing to-do list.
You can start journaling just one line a day or set a timer for a short period, like 5 minutes, and write until it stops. This will help you stay consistent and prevent you from getting discouraged.
Approach Your Journaling With A Child’s Mind.
When I was a kid and wanted to draw, I didn’t think about it. I would just grab a pencil, start drawing, and then color it in. I didn’t judge myself or criticize my drawings. In fact I loved them all and couldn’t wait until the next time I could draw again.
This is why I recommend approaching journaling with a child’s mind. Don’t think about what you’re going to write and don’t stop until you feel satisfied. You might get better over time and even enjoy it.
At the very least, you’ll have a journal entry that is done, over one that is perfect, and you won’t feel stressed or frozen the next time you crack open your journal.
Beware Of Journaling Trends.
Starting something new can be exciting and you’ll want to try them all at once because of shiny new toy syndrome. This is fine but it can also lead to overwhelm, then disappointment, then scrapping your journaling altogether.
I am guilty of this and even have a collection of journals & tools, sitting on my shelves, waiting to be finished or used. So as a caveat, if you read or hear about a journaling trend that you’re excited to try, wait for a few days before you try it or make a purchase.
I would recommend waiting at least a week if you can. If you still want to try the trend or buy a new journal toy after a week, then it was meant to be.
Revisit Your Old Journal Entries Periodically.
I read my old journals from time to time and I’m amazed and sometimes cringe at what I read. It helps me see my growth and how far I’ve come as a person.
If you’re up to it, I recommend reading your old journals periodically. It might help you see patterns in your life more clearly and remind you how resilient and strong you really are.
30 Simple & Cozy Weekly Journal Prompt Themes To Get You Started.
Here are 30 journal prompt themes I came up with to help you get started with journaling, if you need a gentle nudge to get your week started. Use them as a theme for the week or as a single journal prompt to jumpstart your weekly journaling.
- Gratitude for small everyday joys
- What makes me feel calm and centered
- Moments that made me smile this week
- The people who brighten my life
- Things I love about my home
- What I enjoy about my morning routine
- Times I felt proud of myself
- My favorite comforting memories
- The beauty I notice in nature
- What I appreciate about my body
- Small ways I show kindness to myself
- Lessons I’ve learned from challenges
- Things that make me feel cared for
- Activities that spark creativity in me
- My favorite way to rest and recharge
- The qualities I admire in myself
- How I bring coziness into my life
- What I enjoy about slowing down
- My favorite uplifting habits
- Ways I’ve grown over the years
- What inspires me the most right now
- The little rituals that bring me peace
- My favorite things about the current season
- How I celebrate small wins in life
- What makes me feel hopeful
- Places where I feel safe and at ease
- Ways I bring joy to others
- My favorite simple pleasures
- How I connect with my inner self
- What makes my life feel meaningful
Taking Your First Steps To Journaling.
Journaling has helped me through many ups and downs in my life, from the crushing overwhelm I used to feel every day, to the joy of helping my eldest move into his first dorm room as a college freshman.
Journaling can do the same for you. Whether you begin with one line a day, five minutes before bed, or on a page of scattered thoughts in the morning, every entry becomes a step toward more clarity, connection, and insight. Over time, you’ll wonder what you ever did without it and even find it joyful!
More Journaling Tips
If you need some tips on how to choose a journal and tools to go with them, read How To Choose A Journal, The Pen That Changed My Journaling + How To Choose Yours, and My Favorite Tools For Journaling.
I hope you found these tips helpful. I’d love to know what you think. Leave me a comment below!
