7 Tips to Start your Journaling Journey
A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog called Journaling for Mental Health which you can check out by clicking on the link (in case you missed it).
If you’re here today it’s probably because you know you want to start journaling, or perhaps you have started journaling before and something just didn’t click.
For many of us - my own neurodivergent brain included - it is not as simple as:
Pick up journal.
Write in journal.
Be done.
Sometimes my journaling thought process looks more like:
Pick up journal
Where did I leave journal?
Search house.
What did I come into this room for…?
Oh hey, what’s that?
Wait… I was looking for my journal…but wait where’s my pen…?
And so on, you get the picture - you’ve probably been there yourself!
Try not to get discouraged; if all of these habits were easy to adopt there wouldn’t still be therapists like me out in the world. Forming habits can take time, and intention (see my blog post on Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity); getting into the habit of journaling is no different.
So, are you ready to start your journaling journey? Here are 7 tips to get us started - let’s do this together!
Put your journal somewhere that you can’t miss it.
Like actually…anywhere. On top of your pillow, the toilet seat, bedside table, kitchen counter, anywhere. Plop your journal down somewhere where in order to ignore it, you will have to physically pick it up to move it out of your way. Make it so it’s actually more inconvenient to not journal.
Guess and check.
What style of journaling works best for you? Don’t just try once and give up. There are tons of different approaches to journaling, and - say it with me again - “forming habits can take time”.
Lean into the ✨aestethic ✨.
There are some PRETTY journals out there, treat yourself to a little shopping and don’t be afraid to personalize!
(I too have fallen into the trap of buying multiple pretty journals that I never actually used. This is one one of the tips to maybe combine with a few of the others)
Don’t reinvent the wheel.
Go for a journal like 5 Minutes in the Morning by Aster, or Wreck this Journal by Keri Smith that gives you more specific prompts to work from so that you don’t have to do all of the thinking.
Set yourself up for success.
Create yourself a ritual that includes the time of day, the pen you write with, where you sit, the drink you have in your hand - think “main character of a Hallmark movie” energy.
Let yourself be unfiltered.
This stuff is just for you and (maybe) your therapist to know. Don’t write like someone else is watching, and don’t try to monetize your innermost thoughts. Leave that for whoever finds these in the future and writes your biography 50 years after you’ve passed on.
Remember that it is the right time.
Don’t wait for the “right time” - there is no such thing. The time is right when you’re thinking about it.
Please check me out on instagram @perdicoupsychotherapy and take a peek at my stories & highlights for some journaling prompts to help you along the way.
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Keep in mind that while journaling is a wonderful and helpful tool, sometimes we all need a little bit more help than the tool alone to process things that we are going through. This is often where therapy comes in as an adjunct to your journaling practice!
If this sounds like you, reach out to our team here at Perdicou Psychotherapy. Genna is currently accepting new clients for individual therapy!
If we can’t offer services in house, we will always do our best to direct you to our cherished colleagues and peers who may be able to support you and your needs best.
