Have you heard about journaling but don’t really know what it’s about? I’ve watched television programmes where characters have said they’re writing in their journal but never really thought about doing it myself. It all sounded a bit teenage-like … you know, the ‘dear journal’ kind of thing. But recently I’ve discovered it’s a really great tool for managing stress in any part of your life, at any stage of your life. So if you’re feeling stressed out then read on and discover some important journaling ideas for beginners like us to get a grip on how to do it.
1. Why do you want to keep a journal?
Before you do anything you need to know why you want to start writing a journal. Where in your life do you need clarity or what are you stressed about?
Journaling helps you get your thoughts organised, helps you spot triggers that affect you negatively or positively, and allows you to give yourself a good talking to! If you have niggling problems or ideas going around in your head all day then writing them down can help you prioritise them, see which ones you need to focus on or maybe spot things that weren’t really problems at all.
For me, at the moment, I’m 59 and feel like I’ve lost my way career-wise. So keeping a journal where I write down my thoughts and feelings around that area I feel will be a big help in clearing my mind and allowing me to focus. Your reasons might include:
- Wanting to focus on your physical health & wellbeing (diet & exercise journal)
- Needing to concentrate on your mental health (daily reflection journal)
- Discovering the joy in the little things in life and what really makes you happy (gratitude journal)
- Trying to be more productive in your life (planning & organising journal)
- Getting more out of life in general (happiness journal)
- Getting the most out of an existing relationship (marriage or friendship journal)
- Getting creative in your business (ideas journal)
You might not even have a specific reason or even feel stressed at all. Keeping a journal could just be a way of offloading your thoughts every day so you can go to sleep with a clear mind. You can also keep journals for recording your travel experiences, dreams or books you’ve read.
Whatever your reason, asking yourself why is the most important of the journaling ideas for beginners. It will shape the ideas that follow.
If you like the idea of journaling for business then my blog post on the Clever Fox Planner might interest you.
2. What type of journaling do you want to do?
Now you know why you want to keep a journal it’s time to think about the different types of journaling.
Free-flow : just open up your journal and let your thoughts pour onto the page. This is quite a liberating journaling idea for beginners as you can literally write anything you want. I definitely find this helpful as I have quite a grasshopper mind and I feel a lot calmer when I’ve got it all down in my journal.
Prompts : if you’re looking at the first page of your new empty notebook and really don’t know where to start then some journal prompts may be useful to you. There are lots of ‘prompt lists’ on the internet which lay out a series of questions on different journaling topics. Examples include:
- “What do I love/hate about my daily routine?”
- “What are some obstacles I’ve overcome?”
- “What is your biggest financial fear?”
- “What fun things have we done lately?”
You can see many more journal prompts on my Pinterest board for Self-Care and Motivation. Have a browse and choose a couple to get you started.
These self worth quotes are always a good addition to your journal page to help start those creative thoughts.
Art : Maybe you’re more of an artist than a writer. Using paint in your journal can be a fantastic way to explore your creativity. You don’t have to worry that the paint won’t dry quick enough if you use paint markers that as well as being more precise than a paint brush, are also quick drying, water resistant and the colour won’t fade. Choose a journal that lends itself to drawing and get your thoughts on paper in doodles, sketches, collage, mind maps and word art. There is a great post on art journaling for beginners here.
Lists : Write your journal in bullet list format. Some people just love lists and it can make it easier to read back and reflect on what you’ve written. If you’re journaling about a specific issue you have then each list can focus on a different aspect of that issue. Breaking a project or problem down into smaller sections can be really helpful in taking the stress out of it.
Video : If you don’t like the thought of putting pen to paper then you could always create a video journal. You don’t need any special equipment, just grab your mobile phone and press the record button. Upload your recordings to a file on your laptop or desktop so you can go back to them.
3. How do you want to keep your journal?
It may seem obvious that if you want to start writing a journal then you need a notebook and pen, but you might prefer:
- Word Document on your laptop or desktop pc.
- Camera/Phone (if you want to keep a video journal)
- App : If your journal is on your mobile phone then it’s always handy to jot down your thoughts. There are several journaling apps mentioned on Self’s blog post.
If you decide to go down the notebook and pen route then take some time to pick out ones that really appeal to you. It just makes it more appealing to pick up!
4. When will you do your journaling?
You can’t have a post about journaling ideas for beginners without talking about the right time to do it. For journaling to be effective in managing stress or making you more productive it needs to become a habit, something you do daily. Even if it’s just for 5 minutes each day. So pick a time that is best for you and stick to it.
It may be that first thing in the morning is best, even before you get out of bed. Or perhaps last thing at night so, like me, you get all those niggling thoughts and ideas out of your head and into your journal. Whatever time you choose, set an alarm or make it an appointment in your diary. The quicker you build the habit the easier and more enjoyable (and useful) it becomes.
To begin with it might help to set a specific amount of time to write in your journal. Even if it is only 5 minutes. Starting with short bursts makes it less overwhelming. You’ll probably find that once you start you want to write past the 5 mins.
5. Where are you going to write your journal?
I mentioned in the last journaling idea for beginners that you might want to write your journal in bed. If that doesn’t work for you then decide on a place that will. Create a quiet corner in your bedroom or kitchen. Make the space comfy or inspirational. It needs to be somewhere you’ll be happy to sit for your alotted time. Don’t allow any interruptions. Make yourself a cuppa and light a candle if it helps. Or if the weather is good then take yourself off to your local park, pick a quiet spot, breathe in that fresh air, feel the sunshine on your face and start writing.
Remember journaling can be a good stress management tool. Studies have shown it can help you feel calmer, more organised and help you solve problems. So if you think this could be just what you need make sure you carefully consider the ideas in this post before you start. Here’s to less stress and a happier life!
