How to Make Journaling Work for You

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Some people start journaling, and stick to it every day, for a long time. But most people don’t have this experience. It can be easy to forget about it, get lazy and not do it, or just lose interest in journaling. Maybe you aren’t seeing the benefits, or your schedule keeps changing so it is hard to create a good routine. The good news is that journaling can work for you – there are no rules or guidelines you need to follow. Journaling can become whatever you need it to be.

Use Whatever Materials You Want to Write

It can be easy to be swept up in all the most expensive journaling materials, like hardcover or leather journals and fancy pens, but if you don’t feel like this is serving you or your budget doesn’t allow it, don’t use it! Use whatever you personally want to write in. For some people, it is a softcover journal, for others they want to use a notebook that is larger with more room to write. You might want something smaller to fit in your purse. Or perhaps you are combining your planner and journal into something else.

Set Your Own Routine

It helps a lot to have a journaling routine, but make it work for you. You really need to consider your current schedule, and wherein your day you either need to spend a few minutes alone or when you have the extra time. Just because your best friend journals in the morning, doesn’t mean you have to. Maybe your mornings are already chaotic, and you prefer to journal after your afternoon workout, or at night before bed.

Be Flexible With When and How You Journal

Another way to make journaling work best for you is to be flexible with when you write and what you write about. There are no rules here. Even though a routine is helpful, you can switch it up as often as you need to. One day, it might be a stream-of-consciousness journal entry. The very next day you want to write about 10 things you are grateful for. Then this could be followed by a daily journal of what you got done that day on the third day. This is how you are making journaling work for you.

Switch Things Up Whenever Necessary

As an extension of the idea of being flexible, switch things up when you want! Use a different journal, try prompts instead of a stream of consciousness, or have a completely new routine for your journaling. Remember that journaling is meant to help you, not cause you distress. If you feel pressured to do it or like you aren’t enjoying it, it is a sign that you may need to mix it up a little.