Welcome to The Write Way! This is one of the 5 main types of blog posts I will be sharing here. This collection of posts is specifically around Journaling!
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank page, wondering where to start—or if journaling is even your thing—you’re in the right place. I've been journaling daily for over four years now. I have a lot of experience trying out different things and making mistakes that made it harder for me to journal. My hope with this section of the blog is to teach you about how journaling made a difference in my life and the mental health benefit that you can get from starting your own journal.
Journaling doesn’t have to be fancy or perfect (in fact, I like it better when it’s not!). Whether you’re here for stress relief, self-discovery, or just a quiet creative moment in your day, journaling can become your favorite little moment of the day.
Let’s go over what journaling really is and how you can get started today—even if you’ve never kept a diary before in your life.
📖 What Is Journaling, Anyway?
Journaling is the act of writing things down— all your thoughts, feelings, ideas, memories, plans. It’s a chance to connect with yourself on paper or get thoughts of your head. And no, it doesn’t have to look like “Dear Diary…” And yes, journaling looks different for everyone!
There are so many ways to journal:
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Freewriting or brain-dumping what’s on your mind (my preferred way!)
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Using prompts to reflect on your life, goals, or emotions (how I started journaling)
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Gratitude journaling to shift your focus to what’s good (I do this every day!)
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Creative journaling with quotes, art, stickers, and washi (I decorate my journals using this method before writing in them!)
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Reflecting on personal growth
- And so many more
There’s no wrong way to journal—it’s all about what feels right for you.
💛 Why People Journal (And Why You Might Love It Too)
Journaling has been around for centuries. Here’s what it can do for you:
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Clear your mind. Journaling gives you space to untangle your thoughts and get them out of your head.
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Reduce stress. Writing helps process emotions, which can ease any anxiety you might have.
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Boost self-awareness. The more you reflect, the better you understand what makes you you: your patterns, reactions, and needs.
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Capture your story. Journaling becomes a memory keeper — whether it’s a milestone, a season of growth, or just a snapshot of your everyday life.
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Spark creativity. Even simple entries can turn into creative inspiration through the use of stickers, washi tapes, or doodles — which, in turn, can help reduce anxiety as well.
🛠️ What You Need to Start (Hint: Not Much!)
You don’t need a fancy journal or a dozen pens. You can start with whatever notebook you have on hand and your favorite pen.
If you want to treat yourself, here are a few tools that can make journaling more enjoyable:
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A notebook that feels good to write in (lined, blank, or dotted; I prefer thick, 160gsm paper for my creative journaling)
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A set of really nice pens - I prefer writing with 0.5mm pens, but you can try a few to find what you like best
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Highlighters, washi tape, or stickers for decoration
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Printed prompts or a starter journal with prompts (I started with Happy Planner guided journals)
📝 Tip: Don’t wait for the “perfect” notebook or to learn how to decorate the "perfect" spread. Just start writing and/or decorating! You’ll find your style as you go.
✍️ How to Actually Start Journaling
I know what might be going through your head... "What the heck do I actually write? How do I start?"
Start simple. Here are a few easy prompts to try:
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“Today I’m feeling…”
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“Right now, what’s on my mind is…”
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“One thing I’m grateful for today is…”
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“Lately, I’ve been thinking about…”
You can set a timer for 5 minutes or aim to fill one page. I personally like to fill one page a day. Don’t worry about spelling or sentence structure—no one’s grading this. Just let the words come out as they want to. I have scribbles and white out all over my finished pages!
🌱 Make It a Habit (But Keep It Gentle)
If you want journaling to stick, try habit stacking. For example, tie journaling to something you already do—like having your coffee in the morning, or getting ready for bed at night. You can even leave your journal on your bedside table or desk so it’s easy to reach.
Try to let go of the pressure to do it every day. Pick it back up when you can.
💌 Ready to Start?
All you need is a pen, a page, and a few minutes to check in with yourself.
No matter if you write one sentence or ten full pages, journaling is your space to show up for yourself. I hope this is the start of something beautiful.
