Writing is one of those hot-topic quarantine hobbies that many people picked up this year, but the big question is, how do you start? It’s difficult to change your habits and start doing something you’ve never done, but as someone who regularly writes, it is so rewarding and worth it.
I’ve been consistently writing for a couple years, and to be honest, I often forget it is something I do. The most important thing to remember is to stay consistent, but also to make it fun. I wouldn’t put too much stress on yourself to write every day, or it will become more of a chore and less of something you look forward to. I enjoy making journaling personal by getting a crazy, obnoxious book or finding a cover that resonates with me in a certain way. I also like getting smaller books because it will be easier to make progress and finish the pages.
Now when I write, I attempt to be the most honest and vulnerable version of myself. I want to look back at my writing and know what it was truly like to live, breathe, and feel as a 20-year-old. I mainly write recaps of my day, my thoughts on people, food I ate, things I didn’t like, and events that were going on. Sometimes if something crazy happened, or if I obtained a receipt, a ticket, or a memorable picture, I tape it into the book like a scrapbook. This is my favorite part of journaling because it turns my memories and life experiences into something tangible and unforgettable. Writing doesn’t have to be what your English teachers and parents expect of you, and you can write a few sentences or hundreds of words. The biggest obstacle is to start, but it doesn’t have to be daunting. Make a challenge with your friends, join people who already write, doodle about your pet, but most importantly, just buy a book. The rest can happen from there.
