How to Start Journaling

Journaling Tips & Tricks

A Mini How-To + My favorite Journal

I’ve been an avid journal-er since I can remember. I’m pretty sure I started consistently journaling in the 4th grade (maybe even earlier?!) and honestly haven’t stopped since. It’s the most cherished part of my day, even if I only have 5 minutes… so I do my best to at least jot something down.

Journalling comes pretty easily to me because I’m a serious *feeler*. If you’ve read about the enneagram, I’m a 3w4 and I lean hard on that 4. 😉 So journaling has always been a way, even as a kid, that I was able to process my BIG feelings, dreams, struggles, and triumphs. It’s how I feel grounded and clear headed.

After years and multiple bookshelves crammed with full journals I would say that I’m an expert of sorts… or at least in the way *that I like* to journal, so I thought I’d share my “process” with you in hopes that it encourages you too, to document the good!

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My Journal of Choice:

rifle paper co.

Fabric Journal

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I counted – and I’ve filled up five of these journals over the past year and a half! They are definitely my favorite. I love that the binding lets me fold it in half so that I can see one page at a time. I don’t know if that makes sense… but regardless, I love them!

*more cover choices here!

I also just got this journal and it’s so pretty. It’s the journal I started this year.

How Do You Journal? There’s No ‘Right Way’!

Funnily enough I’d say that “how do you journal?” or “how do I get started journaling?” are some of my most frequently asked questions. BUT, if you hear one thing I say today let it be this: There is no RIGHT way. If you want to start journaling, do what feels the most natural and cathartic to you. This is for you, not for anyone else!

But for those of you who are looking for a little direction, I’ll share my “non-process-process” with you.

Also, I’d like to note that Ryan is an avid journal-er as well and his journal entries could be published. They are beautifully written, in gorgeous cursive, with impeccable grammar… mine on the other hand, are not.

How I Journal:

First of all, I throw ALL caution to the wind.

Words are misspelled, there is zero grammar to speak of, and that’s juuuuust the way I like it. I like to sit down and write my feelings, whatever they are, and not think about anything else. It’s kind of like a brain dump, but for my heart.

I have always found it easiest to write in a prayer format. I love spending time in the Bible before diving into my journal, so this has always been my process. A continuation of my morning devotions of sorts. Whether I’m reading through a devotional (I’ve been reading this one and loving it!) or reading through a book, etc. I’ll write whatever verse I’m either studying or one that’s heavy on my heart and then I truly go from there.

It’s most often a hodge-podge list of things I’m grateful for, things (and people) I’m praying for, things I’m anxious about, and things about the day that I need guidance on.

It’s a way to get all my feelings and thoughts off my chest and onto paper so that I’m not carrying around the things I’m anxious about all day. And there’s a bonus(!) the things that I’m grateful for are top of mind. Like I said, it’s really just a heart dump of feelings instead of a brain dump… similar to how you might start a to-do list!

There’s no real rhyme or reason for the way I do it, but when I make a point to SEE the good, whether I’m under sunny skies or in the midst of a storm, everything changes.

This is also not something that takes all that much time for me. 10-15 minutes. Sometimes more, sometimes less. But I will tell you that I enjoy it *so* much that I’ve started time blocking it and giving myself a set amount of time. Because I could go on for hours…. I love it that much.

Just Get Started

Hopefully this helpful and encouraging if you are looking for someone to validate your random scribbles or beautifully crafted sentences. Whatever your pages look like, I just hope you enjoy the benefits of putting pen to paper.

One last note on journaling. I’ve/we’ve been through many seasons and some have been absolutely magical, and some have been really, really tough… I’m sure similar to you. But when you are in the midst of a storm, being able to go back and open a journal to see how faithful God has been over the years a priceless gift. Even if it is filled with misspelled scribbles. 🙂