Journaling is the process of recording your thoughts and feelings onto a notebook. To me, it seemed like a mundane habit to add into one’s life, until I tried it myself. From my experience, I can say with confidence that you should try it out. It helps organize your thoughts and keeps track of the past for your future self to see. In this article, we will be taking a look at ways to make journaling simple and sustainable.
Set Your Purpose The most important step of journaling is to know what you want from it. Are you a sentimental person? If so, you should take the practical approach of documenting key moments of your life. This method is very straight forward, perfect for beginners. However, I believe journaling becomes more meaningful and effective if you practice stream of consciousness writing. The goal of this method is to maintain a flow of your thoughts. But may be difficult to handle because it requires you to write from an honest place, that will make vulnerability a second nature to you. If feelings aren’t your thing, feel free to pass. Choosing Supplies Before you get to journaling, you're going to need a place to house your thoughts. Since you’ll be dedicating your entire being to this book, make sure it’s one that excites you. I prefer to use the Moleskine, a quality, minimalistic notebook. It absorbs ink well and the large pages allow me to write for long periods without flipping the page. Many people want the Moleskine because it’s “trendy”, but don’t feel pressured to jump on the bandwagon. I got my first notebook at Walmart for five dollars and it worked out fine. So use a notebook that best suits you. Now you need a writing utensil. There are a variety of supplies to choose from. Pencils are inexpensive and aren’t permanent, which means you can erase your errors easily. On the other hand, pens comes in an assortment of colors and give you a smooth writing experience. If you know that you are a fast writer, a pen is recommended because it glides along paper easier than pencil. Set a Comfortable Environment You will need to create an environment that allows you to be focused and is free of distractions. I recommend that you plug in your earplugs and play nature sounds or lo-fi. To make your space more cozy, light a candle or turn on some fairy lights. Your environment doesn’t have to be designated to a room. Try setting up in a public place. I enjoy my trips to the park where I write while laying on a blanket. I know some people love the aesthetic of coffee shops. The aroma of the coffee beans and the side conversations could add to one’s writing experience. Remember There are no strict rules when it comes to journaling. It’s important to make journaling a habit that adds meaning to your life, not stress. So go with the flow of your heart and let your handwriting do its own thing. |