Journaling is a fantastic way to express your thoughts and feelings, sit with your emotions, and keep a record of your life while you’re living it. But, the idea of sitting down and writing your heart out can be overwhelming, so here are some good places to start.
find a spot you feel comfortable in
Your environment has a lot to do with the way you view the world, and a lot of writing truly is just noticing the world around you. If you’re unsure of what to write about, finding a spot that stimulates your interest can help you generate ideas. For this reason, I like to journal in public places like libraries or coffee shops, but your desk or couch could also be good options if you want more privacy.
you don’t have to keep a strict schedule
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself to journal regularly if you don’t feel like it’s serving you. There are several week-long gaps in my journal because it wasn’t a priority for me in that moment of my life, and that’s ok. Write when it feels natural and when you feel like you have something to say.
Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect
The point of journaling isn’t to create a literary masterpiece, but to make sense of complicated ideas and think through events in your life. Don’t get too hung up on words or grammar, just say what you think. Unless you want them to, no one is going to read your writing, so don’t worry about judgement or feeling like you’re not doing it right. The only wrong way to journal is to not journal at all.
be honest with yourself
When writing, it’s easy to make yourself the protagonist of every situation, but we all know that’s not reality. Admitting mistakes and processing difficult emotions is the only way to grow and understand yourself better as a person. Real self expression can only come from honest understanding and a balanced ego.
