How to keep a daily journal practice

Are you a dabbler? Or perhaps you like the idea of keeping a journal but haven't quite got around to it just yet. Does the idea of spilling ink onto the pages of that beautiful new journal feel too daunting for you? Let me guide you through the process and keep you motivated to continue with the habit.

If you want to journal because you have heard billionaires and influencers talk about how keeping a journal changed their lives and made them who they are today , stop!! I am not disputing that a journal has been a great tool on their journey, but it probably didn't make them an overnight success.

Journalling is a tool no doubt about that. Like all good tools they are useless unless you know how to use them. Would you like to learn how to put this amazing tool to good use and develop the habit so that you can make it part of your daily routine?

If you are still reading, I will assume your answer is yes. So what exactly is journaling? We have already agreed that journaling is a tool, but it is so much more than that, journaling can become your best friend, your confidant, the place you can unleash your thoughts, a place to explore ideas or even a creative outlet.

How does that make it a tool? It is a tool because it enables us to explore our inner selves, it is the tool to capture research, thoughts, ideas, develop plans, dreams , goals and experiences. It also gives us the ability to be honest with ourselves, to gain clarity for our next steps regardless of what they might be, but it also enables us to observe our progress.

What are the benefits of journaling?

Journaling has many benefits, the list is endless, to give you a few examples, I think my top benefits would be :

• Improves mental health

• Inspires self confidence

• Assists in achieving goals

• Helps with memory

• Improves writing skills

• Reduces stress

• Boosts health

• An escape from negativity

• A place to process emotions

• Aids in the exploration of self discovery

All of the above are ways that we can benefit from journaling, not all the above benefits are for everyone, but I am sure you can find something that speaks to you.

Why is journaling so important ?

I'm not sure if you have noticed, but , we live in a pretty chaotic world. No matter your status, your responsibilities or your place in society, I think it is safe to say that we could all do with a place to slow down. A place without distraction or complication. A place where we can re connect with our thoughts, dreams, desires and goals. That is where your journal comes into play.

I know some of us like to journal electronically, personally for me, I prefer pen and paper. It is a no screen zone for me. A time to get back to nature and letting my thoughts spill from my mind- to my pen and ultimately to the page on my journal.

What to write in your journal .

The short answer to that question is that only you can answer that. We all have different agendas, we all have something different to explore. I guess if I could wave a magic wand and fix that for you I would simply advise that you simply write something.

Journaling is not something you will master overnight. it takes time, practice and patience. I would suggest that your first attempt might only be one sentence perhaps a paragraph and develop it day by day.

How to start journaling.

There are many different ways to begin journaling. Prompts, guided journals and plain notebooks. My advice would be to buy a pretty notebook and your favourite pen.

Don't let the empty blank pages scare you. This is fun not a chore. I recommend, some herbal tea, a scented candle and somewhere you like to sit. My favourite place to write is the beach, obviously weather permitting and no candles with me. Take a few minutes to be quiet, to relax your mind, if you like meditation, this is a good time to do that. It is a good idea to schedule the same time every day to journal, in doing so the habit is formed more easily. It is important that what you are going to write about is clear, it is helpful if your journal has some structure.

The daily routine

If you are committed and eager to make journaling part of your life, let's dive in. We have established that we all lead busy lives, adding something else to that long to do list may not be a great idea.

Journaling is different. It is not a to do list, its not another chore. Journaling should be something you enjoy doing. Something you look forward to. It's coffee and a chat with a good friend not cleaning the oven. Sure, we need to do both but coffee and a chat is so much more fun.

Keep your journal somewhere that you can easily see it. If you can see it, you are so much more likely to use it and spend time with it. If it's buried under the mountain of paperwork that you plan to get to someday the chances are you won't use it at all.

Journaling should be something you enjoy doing. All good habits are things we enjoy doing. They become our routine. Schedule time in your agenda, or planner make journaling a priority.

Now that you have it scheduled and it's your favourite thing in all the world to do, don't beat yourself up when you don't journal. Forgive yourself for those days when you don't have time or simply don't want to journal.

A journal is a positive place, we all have our down days, may I suggest on those days that you don't journal, give yourself a few days to reflect and breathe before exploring this difficult time in your journal.

When you begin writing, take it slow. Don't push too hard to fill the pages, be flexible, let your thoughts flow at your own pace. Some days you may have lots to explore and others it may be enough to simply check in with yourself.

A great point to remember is that your journal does not need to be perfect. Don't try to make it sound like a perfect fairy tale. This is your thoughts, how you feel, your emotions, who you talked to, what they said, how they made you feel, what you would do differently if anything next time. Life is not perfect. We are all learning and evolving, enjoy the journey of journaling as it is your greatest tool in developing you.

xxLei

WRITING LIKE LIFE ITSELF, IS A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY - Henry Miller