How to Build a Daily Personal Journaling Habit

Start your daily journal off on the right foot by scheduling your writing for a set time every day.

• If you find your mind is most active in the morning, wake up 15 to 20 minutes earlier and jot down your thoughts then.
• If you prefer to record everything after the day is over, then make it an evening activity before you go to bed.

There is a traditional way of journaling with a notebook and a pen or pencil. Then there’s the modern method, where you type your thoughts on a device.

Choose a method that you can do consistently.

Journaling is about you and your thoughts. The best way to record those thoughts is to minimize distractions.

You need a quiet part of the room that’s away from other people. Separating yourself from technology is also important while you write in your journal.

The easiest way to protect your journal is to keep your journal with you at all times.

You may consciously or sub-consciously avoid writing about certain topics for fear of what others could think. This fear may hold you back from writing about stuff that matters in your journal.

When it comes to your journal entries, if it’s important enough to record, then it’s important enough to date.

Having a date above each entry can help you understand your thought process as it relates to important life events.

• The Freedom Journal is goal-oriented, as it’s designed to help you achieve one goal within 100 days.
• The Moleskin Journal is whatever you want it to be, as you write whatever is on your mind. This type of journal is versatile and excellent for sorting through your thoughts.
• The Five-Minute Journal focuses on gratitude. Take five minutes every day to write about the good things in your life. This simple task leads to a more positive mindset and increased happiness.

Record how you really feel, not how you think you should feel.

Share the first thought that comes to mind. The first thing you think about is typically what’s most important to you at that moment.

The quality and depth of your writing aren’t important in journaling.

Just get your honest thoughts down on paper as they come to you.

When you know your journal is for your eyes only, you have the freedom to write whatever you want without worrying about anyone else’s thoughts or judgments.

As you write, don’t worry about your grammar or spelling, no matter how good or bad they are. If you can understand what you wrote in each entry, then the grammar and spelling are fine.

The slowness of writing by hand is actually better for connecting with your thoughts as you write them.

Since it takes longer to write everything, you end up thinking deeper thoughts and really considering how you feel about what you’re writing.

When you start your journaling habit, make that your main priority. Commit to it for at least 30 days, and, to get the best results, tie it to another pre-existing habit of yours.

For example, if you start your day with a cup of coffee, you could decide to journal every morning while you drink your coffee.