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How to Create a Basic Journal Practice
If you have been feeling a little overwhelmed by journaling and aren’t really sure how to add it to your life, it might be that you are overthinking it. Journaling is nothing more than writing your thoughts or ideas onto paper, whether that is a journal, notebook, or just a blank piece of paper. Here are some tips for creating a basic journaling practice.
Know Why You Are Journaling
Before you can do anything, you need to know WHY you are doing it. If you don’t understand your own reasons, it will be very hard to stay motivated. What made you want to start writing in a journal? Was it a recommendation to relieve stress, or do you just want a safe space to vent? Are you trying to express more gratitude, or are you scripting for the law of attraction? All of these questions matter because they will help you understand the importance of a daily practice. Knowing your WHY will also keep you motivated.
Consider a Morning or Evening Routine
For a journaling practice, you want to create a routine, which will then allow you to turn it into a habit you don’t even have to think about. Start by figuring out if you would prefer to write in your journal in the morning or the evening. This is going to depend on your personal preference and your schedule. Everyone has a time of day when they either have some free time or want something to help them relax and get away from the electronics for a little bit.
Decide What You Want to Journal About
Do you have a specific purpose for your journal? Maybe you have a lot on your mind and need a place to vent and figure things out. You definitely don’t have to write about the same thing every day in your journal, but this is going to help you to figure out the best journaling practice. For example, if you are doing it for anxiety or stress relief, adding things like essential oils or soft music while you write is really going to help your practice overall.
Set Up Your Journaling Area
It helps to have a designated area for journaling. Maybe you have a desk in your bedroom, an office where you can set up a journaling space, or simply your dining room table. Set it up with your journal, a pen or pencil, and items that can support or inspire you to write.
~ In this blog, I write about various practices that I have found helpful to my personal and professional development. My hope is that this blog will support all readers, especially clinical social workers, clinical supervisors and their supervisees, and therapy or coaching clients. My hope is that readers might integrate these practices into their personal and professional lives.
Find a journal that works for you
~ Find soft-cover, matte finish lined journals and journals with writing prompts at Think in Possibilities Amazon Shop – Click here: Think in Possibilities Journals @ Amazon