TIPS for Making Journaling a Part of Your Daily Routine:
Establishing journaling as a daily practice is a great idea. Getting started can be challenging. But, creating healthy daily habits is worth the effort. Let’s review a few tips for making journaling part of your daily routine.
Make it Easy to Write!
Make It Easy. Keep it simple. For example, decide if you are more likely to write in journal with pen and paper, or are you more likely to use a computer? You get to decide what works best for you. Decide and do! If you are using a journal, leave the journal and pen out in a place you are apt to see it. Some people leave it by their bedside, others leave it near their favorite chair where they drink their morning coffee. Create a comfortable space where you can settle in if you decide to write for a longer period of time.
Chose a Time that Works Best for You
When are you most likely going to write in a journal? For some people, journaling is part of their morning routine. For others, it is part of their bedtime ritual. You might find your lunch break at work an ideal time to journal. You decide. Go for it!
Chose a Journal-Type and Journaling Style that Works Best for You
You might choose a simple lined journal to write in a stream-of-consciousness style. Maybe you have a bullet journal on your shelf and want to try this unique journal format. Maybe your daily practice will be in the format of a prayer journal. Maybe you want to start by using a journal that has daily prompts built in that will guide your writing. You decide!
Find an Accountability Partner
Some people ask a friend or their therapist to be a writing or accountability partner. Can you ask a friend or your therapist to check in with you weekly and ask you how your journaling practice is going for you? Knowing that someone will ask you about your new habit can be helpful and motivating. You can build in rewards for your successes. For instance, at the end of each week of journaling, you could build in a coffee date with your accountability partner.
Know Why You Are Journaling
Remember – Before you are likely to succeed at anything, you need to know WHY you are doing it. If you don’t understand your own reasons for journaling, 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 creating a daily practice. Knowing your WHY will also keep you motivated.
~ 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