7 Simple and Effective Steps to Writing a Journal

Download ebook

Why writing a journal is important?

The human mind is complex. Recent research states that an average person has 6,200 thoughts in a day. A language is a crucial tool in understanding human consciousness. Writing a journal helps to channel these thoughts and metamorphose them into words. Human language can transform innermost feelings into words. Journaling helps in understanding thoughts and processing them in a better way. Journaling is an art that provides solace to the mind. 

What is Journal Writing?

Journal writing is a form of informal writing where a person records perceptions, reflections, and questions. Writing a journal is subjective and depends on a person’s learnings and experiences over a lifetime. It is also a form of reflective writing that gives an insight into what’s there deep within.

“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.”

– Maya Angelou

Journal Writing involves experimenting with different ideas and writing techniques. Therefore, it is a form of exploratory writing. It involves penning your thoughts and feelings regularly and understanding yourself in a better way. It helps to evolve as a better human being over time.

The history of Journaling

For centuries, people have been writing diaries and journals, but people discovered the therapeutic use of journals later. In 1960, Dr Ira Progoff, a psychologist in New York, conducted workshops where the intensive journal method was a part of the therapy. The journal is called a “psychological notebook”. The Progoff method involves an intensive journal that is colour-coded and has different colours for various sections – writer’s life and psychological healing.

Later, schools introduced journals in English classes as a part of their curriculum.

Steps to Writing a Journal

1. Find the right media.

Choosing the right media for writing a journal paper matters – choose one that aligns with yourself. Computers, tablets, smartphones, and paper and pen are the different ways of journaling. With the advent of technology, people have switched to modern means rather than the traditional pen and paper. However, the joy of writing with pen and paper is exceptional.

On the other hand, alternative digital options like computers and tablets are available. Cloud-based writing applications like Google docs are an option, as well. Publish an online blog site, and share your thoughts with the world.

How to write your first journal entry?

Begin writing the journal by including details like date, time, and location. Moreover, you can record each moment of your life with the background details, for example, Tuesday, August 17, at 1.00 p.m., Bedroom. Next, start a journal with a greeting, e.g., Dear Journal or even Dear Readers, in the case of a website.

2. Write about where you are right now.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

– Louis L’Amour

Writing may sound intimidating. But, you need to start somewhere. So, grab a quality pen and a notebook; start penning your thoughts. Once you hit the paper, the ideas sprout, and the words start flowing. Henceforth, there is no stopping. Start with something as simple as where you are right now.

Write about your professional situation, personal relationships, dreams, accomplishments, and failures. Something as informal as your first crush can relieve your heart. Go ahead. Just write. Let the emotions flow! Period. There is no better way to channel yourself than writing. 

Writing a journal provides insight and ways to improve your life. Moreover, you turn into a better person. But, if you are writing an online journal, restrict yourself. There is an audience to judge you; filter your content accordingly.

3. Develop writing as a habit.

Writing is a lonely process. Write every day, preferably at the same time. That’s how a habit develops! Like all the body muscles, our brain needs exercise, after all. Writing is an exercise for the grey cells. Let’s make journaling a part of the routine. One of the simple ways of writing a journal is consistency. Consistency is the key to developing any habit, especially writing.

Secondly, choose a time to write every day. Keep aside a few minutes to write every day. Most people prefer to write at night, before sleep. Loosening up before unwinding your day is a great way to de-stress. So, let out the lingering feelings deep within. As we know, journaling is the perfect way to reflect on the day – about life, in general. Don’t overthink; write and let it out!

What to write every day?

You can write about anything and everything. After writing about life, write how you feel at this moment. The idea that sparks in an instant, the things that irritate, even the mini hunger pangs you feel. Thirdly, the amount you write is not crucial. On certain days there may be fewer happenings to write about every day. The most important thing is to write something every day.

4. Track your goals and accomplishments.

Journaling is not just about the mundane life or your dreams. If any projects are going on in your life, divide them into small achievable goals. Firstly, track these goals by writing a journal, recording every minor accomplishment and the road ahead. Whether your accomplishments are big or small, it doesn’t matter; write them 

“Each small step is a stepping stone towards success.”

Let each page be a slice of life – the small successes and significant accomplishments. Secondly, reviewing your goals and feats helps to understand where you stand. It helps to define the journey ahead – the future. 

Write about the things that inspire you. Write the motivational quotes, experiences, and, most importantly, people who inspire. Add a personal touch to the writings. Customize the journal pages with doodles, photos, postcards, and colours. Let the pages be unique and define “you.” 

5. Decide when to write and until when.

Time is the most valuable resource. Hence, exploit time in an efficient way. Firstly, it is crucial to set aside a fixed time for journaling. Follow the routine. Soon, you would get used to it. Besides deciding on a time, resolve to write for a set amount of time – 5 to 20 minutes. Consistency matters more than the duration you write.

The content you write depends upon the day. For example, you might prefer to write more while travelling, and a few words on other days. It is a good thing to write for a fixed amount of time – neither less nor more.

6. Let the journal be a travel companion.

Are you planning for a long trip or a weekend gateway? Then, reserve a sure-shot space for the journal in your bag. Carry the journal wherever you go. Let the journal be your best travel companion; confide your experiences with the journal. Be it a long train journey or a short flight trip, carry it with you. Don’t break your routine.

If you don’t carry your journal, you can’t write! Travelling is an experience. As you perceive new sensations and experiences, you won’t fall short of words for journaling. Document the entire journey, the beauty of nature, insights, the people encountered, new relationships forged, and the milestones achieved. Writing a journal while travelling can be an arduous task, but not an impossible one. Pen at least a few lines every day. Conquer the setbacks,  and there is nothing to stop you. So, plan, pack, shoot and, of course, write!  

7. Review and section the journal.

Writing a journal paper is not about just filling the pages with words. It is about the value you add to each page; the final result – the journal. At the end of every month, read the journal. A monthly journal review is crucial, as it helps to discern how far you have progressed. The setbacks endured may seem massive in the past but seem minor later. 

It is not only about the failures but also the milestones accomplished. A review helps to discover the small successes you may have neglected in the past. Sort the topics in your journal with a colour code, for example, red for business, blue for personal relationships, and green for travel. Create an index for your journal and record the colour codes for each topic. Adding different colour codes for varied topics helps to find them later.

Adding hues to the journal helps to sort it and reflects a creative touch.

When to start Journaling?

There is no right time for journaling. Like any other task, plan it according to your schedule. If you are a night owl, form it as your bedtime routine. On the other hand, if you are a morning person, write while devouring your morning coffee.

Furthermore, maintaining a journal is not a necessity but rather a choice.

Advantages of Journal Writing

Besides the final result, the masterpiece – journal, journaling helps us in numerous ways.

The benefits of writing a journal are:

1. Track your goals

Whether it is an ongoing project or your most coveted dream, divide it into small goals. Writing a journal helps to convert a project or a dream into achievable tasks. Moreover, writing helps to track goals and achieve big.

2. Observe your thoughts

Journaling involves not only accomplishments and failures but also your thoughts and feelings. Start by recording what you feel right now. The thoughts stuffed in your head get bottled up forever.

3. Writing your thoughts and feelings helps to process them better.

A journal helps to let out anxious and negative thoughts and feel better. Remember, we cannot edit our thoughts, but we can edit words.

3. Improve writing and communication skills

Writing a journal is a good way of improving your writing skills. As we know, writing is an art that requires practice. Writing every day about your life goes a long way for an aspiring writer. When your write, your vocabulary goes a level up.

4. Remember the details

If you are a person who loves to focus on minute details of life, then a journal is what you need. Record each entry with specific details such as date, time and location. If you carry a journal during travel, flavour your writings with a vivid description of the trip. Create imagery that maintains the essence of the journey even when you re-read it.

5. Rediscover your old friends

“As we know, it’s a small world.”

One of the advantages of writing a journal is you won’t miss the details. We, humans, are social beings. People and interactions constitute a significant part of our lives. Moreover, it’s not surprising to discover the details of interactions and people in the journal. As you re-read the journal, you might find accounts of people forgotten or their details – names. These details can help to forge a bond and reconnect with them through social media platforms or in person.

6. Journaling for mental health

When we were teenagers, we used to keep a diary to write our deepest feelings, fears, adventures, and even experiences like the first crush. Actually, by writing, we imprinted the snippets of memories forever. But, as we grow up, we stop using a diary. Maintaining a simple diary to record your thoughts and experiences has way more benefits to our mental health. Nowadays, this trend has changed to journaling.

“If you desire peace of mind, stop fighting with your thoughts, and write it.”

We all struggle with anxiety, fears, and even depression in at least stages of our lives. Writing a journal to confide our deepest thoughts and feelings is a de-stressor. Journaling heals the mind and clears the shroud of mist within. The final result is – a better you.

Types of Journaling

Journaling is not limited to writing your thoughts and experiences. What to write in a journal is a big question. Based on this question, there are different types of journaling. Let’s explore them all.

Following are the different types of journaling:

Reflective Journaling

It involves writing your thoughts, feelings and experiences in a journal. It helps us to process them better and improves the overall thought process.

Daily Journaling

This journaling is like writing a diary, where you record all the daily happenings with specific details. Write a detailed account of the events every hour throughout the day. It is like a logbook that provides an insight into your life and the areas for improvement.

Art Journaling

It is more like a sketchbook, where you can combine art with words. It helps to exhibit your creativity, visual art, and, of course, writing. The journaling happens through any medium you prefer, either notebook or digital.

Visual Journaling

Visual Journaling, referred to as illustrated journaling, involves a combination of art and personal reflections. Here, the journal is similar to a comic book. Moreover, a visual journal involves storytelling where you narrate the daily happenings through small illustrations.

Stream of Consciousness Journaling

It is writing without any prompt or idea. A popular exercise is to write morning pages. Write about three pages every morning – take it as a challenge, and don’t stop until it’s over.

Bullet Journaling

Bullet Journaling is a combination of different types of journaling goals in an organized way. You can use it as a diary, task manager, or a calender –just like a usual journal. Unlike a simple journal, bullet journaling is not written on a blank page but on a dot grid pattern that finally creates beautiful layouts and designs. In a bullet journal, the writer will use colour pens, patterned washi tape and stickers.

Gratitude Journaling

It is to write things that you are grateful for in life. Research has proved that gratitude improves happiness, health, and overall well-being. Imbibe a bedtime routine to write about five things you are grateful for every day. The gratitude journal will uplift your mood and inspire you when you’re down.

Travel Journaling

It is maintaining a journal as you travel to describe the journey, the places and the people you encountered through the trip. Let the journal be your best travel companion. Create a travel journal with distinct visual imagery, write about the fun during the journey and infuse the snapshots and mementoes from the trip.

Nature Journaling

This type of journaling involves writing about the discoveries and experiences we make outdoors. Nature is a great teacher, a healer, and a wonderful uplifter for all. It is a good exercise for children as well. Collecting different leaves and flowers and identifying their names is the perfect outdoor activity for children.

Food Journaling

It involves describing your gustatory adventures, sticking snapshots of the dish, or sketching the food. Food is a great way to connect with people and yourself. 

Writing a food journal can keep a tab on mindful eating.

Tools for Writing a journal

Paper and pen is the most traditional and effective tool for writing a journal. With the advent of the digital age, there are different digital tools for journaling. If you are into technology or one who has a penchant for technology, digital tools are a perfect choice.

The different digital tools for journaling are:

• 750 words
• Ohlife
• Oneword
• Penzu
• Evernote

Tips for Writing a Journal

• Write every day, preferably at the same time.
• Don’t break the routine.
• Tell the truth.
• You can personalise your writings.

Overview of Henry Harvin Content Writing Course