You’ve probably heard of journaling and how die-hard fans rave about the mental clarity and self-improvement of it all. Well, as a die-hard fan myself, here’s my guide on how to start journaling. 

1. Choose your medium

Do you like paper and pencil? Would you prefer to keep a digital journal because you like being able to type out your thoughts and have the convenience of your journal also being your phone? Are you more of an artistic person, preferring to create a bullet journal with art and small excerpts? 

Whatever you choose, know that there is no wrong, only a right for you. And if you’re not sure, try it all! 

2. It doesn’t have to be perfect
   

Don’t feel the need to make sure that everything is perfect. The art is in the imperfections. Do not put unnecessary pressure on yourself to have the perfect handwriting or the perfect words. You don’t need the perfect digital template or layout. It doesn’t need to look pretty or aesthetic. You don’t need to write beautiful one-liners and crazy thought-provoking things, this is for you. So, just do you. 

3. Know this is for you and only you
   

Write for yourself, not for the world but for yourself. Write as if no one is reading it, and that should be the case (if that’s what you want). Write your truth and how you really feel. Your honest opinions and your inner thoughts. This is a place to feel validated, a place to put your initial and even pondering feelings and thoughts. This is a place where you can be unabashedly yourself, no expectations.

4. Try a premade template or book
   

Try out some journals with templates like the five minute journal. This is nice because it’ll only take five minutes of your day and it tells you what to write. Maybe every day isn’t a brain dump but a list of your intentions, gratitude, and tracking habits. Try out some writing prompts from the internet or shadow work journals that help guide you to your best self.

5. Give it a fair shot
   

Be consistent! If you really want to try getting into journaling, give it a fair shot. Create some sort of measurable habit. Maybe you will journal once a week, at the end as a reflection and reset for the new week. Maybe 5 minutes in the morning every day. Whatever works for you, but really give it a fair shot, for at least a month or so to see if it’s for you. 

6. START
   

Begin. Finish reading this and start journaling. Enough of “I’ll do it tomorrow” or “one day”. Enough of everyone else’s opinions on the pros and cons of journaling. What is your opinion? Don’t you want to know what it’s like?