How to Start Journaling: 5 Tips for Your Writing Ritual

Putting pencil to paper as a daily routine not only has the ability to help you get organized but can also provide a boost to your mental and emotional health. However, knowing how to start can sometimes be a challenge. Journaling is a deeply personal exercise and there are no wrong ways to go about it. The most important thing is being able to slow down, be with your thoughts, and create a healthy and sustainable habit that feels right for you. Here are some helpful tips to get you ready to begin your writing journey.

1. Take Time to Slow Down

In the midst of our fast-paced and increasingly digital lives, it often becomes difficult to take time to carve out time for ourselves. However, there are great physical, emotional, and mental benefits to setting aside time to slow down and be intentional. Whether it’s planning your morning, adding diversity to your schedule in the afternoon, or reflecting at the end of the day, the most important part of a journaling practice is the willingness to slow down.

2. Set the Mood and Frame Your Mind

After you’ve set aside some time, it could be additionally helpful to set the mood and surround yourself with things that bring you a sense of calm. Journaling is a deeply introspective and meditative exercise. Before placing pencil to paper, make yourself a coffee, put on some music or a vinyl record, and create a healthy space for yourself to be mindful.

3. Find What Inspires You

Inspiration is can be found everywhere and can also be a useful tool for motivation. Another helpful exercise in your writing journey is finding an impactful quote, lyric, or concept that inspires you on a particular day. Writing it down in your journal will help you internalize the message, be a springboard for reflection, and become something that you can revisit. Let that inspiration fuel your own creativity.

4. Dream Big, Start Small

There are countless unique ways to keep a journal, but one of the keys to a successful writing practice is consistency. As you begin your journey, it is important to think about the goals you’d like to accomplish and how journaling can help you achieve them. Establishing this framework can help you set realistic expectations as you go along. Having a general intention for your year will allow you to then create monthly, weekly, and daily steps to work in working towards the larger picture. Celebrating small victories is an important step in staying consistent and achieving your big dream.

5. Keep Your Journal Close

Lastly, make sure your journal or notebook is always easily accessible. Studies show that writing in a physical object is more effective for memory retention compared to in a digital device. In this day and age, we are rarely separated from our smart devices. Always having a notebook close by can help you develop a habit of prioritizing writing something down on paper before reaching for a device. Also, consider keeping a pocket notebook on your person daily to help you jot down quick notes or to-do lists while on the go.