Tips for Making Journaling Part of Your Daily Routine

The way to ensure that journaling works for you is to do it long term. Long-term journaling gives you more insight into your life because you’ll be able to look to the past, present, and even the future (sort of) to get answers in your life. But first, you have to do it. And you need to do it daily to make it a habit. Let’s review a few tips for making journaling part of your daily routine. 

 

Make It Easy - Don’t make it a huge deal, and it’ll be simpler to get done. For example, it’s easier to use a notebook and paper than a computer for most people. You can have the book in your bag or on your bedside table or wherever you plan to write in it. 

 

Choose a Time That Works - The best times to do it are early morning, first thing, or the last thing before you go to bed. However, that might not work for some people. If you know a better time, do it. For example, some people like journaling while on lunch at work in the park. It’s up to you.

 

Get a Drink and Eat a Snack - You don’t want to have any excuses or extraneous thoughts while you’re writing in your journal. Make sure you’re fed and hydrated. 

 

Create a Comfortable and Assessable Space - It’s easier to get into your thoughts if you’re comfortable and not thinking about how bad your tailbone hurts or your wrist hurts. Some people like using a desk, some a comfy easy chair, others their bed. 

 

Combine It with Something Else You Enjoy Doing - If you enjoy cleaning the house, then reading in your clean house with the windows open and the breeze flowing in, why not journal at that moment? If it’s a daily thing, add journaling to it, and it’ll create a habit fast. 

 

Add Some Relaxing Music to Set the Mood - Now it’s true that some people prefer silence, so that’s fine if you do. But consider trying some music that doesn’t have words and that is relaxing, to help you gather your thoughts and say calm and focused. 

 

Use a Particular Type of Journal - For some people, using a style of journaling like bullet journaling, prayer journaling, project journaling, and more, works better since it defines some rules for entry. 

 

Consider Using Journaling Prompts - You can also find journaling prompts online for any type of journal you want to use. 

 

Reward Yourself - When you have been diligent for a month writing in your journal, take some time to read what you wrote, then reward yourself for doing it. You might buy some colored pens or some scrapbooking materials so you can add some definition and interest to your journal. 

 

To truly experience the full benefits of journaling, it needs to be done most days, which is why you need to find a way to incorporate journaling into your everyday life. The best way to accomplish this is to make it easy and turn it into a habit. 

 

Travel Journal Ideas and Tips

An excellent way to remember everything you’ve done is to keep a travel journal. This is a journal which is usually devoted to one trip at a time. You’ll write and add mementos and memories into the journal so that you can look back on it with pride and happiness. Plus, you can share your journey with others.

 

Start with the Planning Phase

 

The journal should begin the moment you start planning your trip. You can use the journal to plan by writing the things you need to do and then checking off what you completed for the trip. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish on the trip. What do you want to experience, what do you want to learn, and when will you do each activity? 

 

Write Daily during Your Trip

 

Once you’re on the trip, don’t miss out writing on any day. Try to find time to write in your journal when the experience is vivid in your mind. You might want to consider taking a recording device with you so you can record your initial thoughts while you’re doing it.

 

Add Physical Mementos to the Journal

 

Don’t just add text to your journal - also add color, images, and mementos. For example, save your tickets, a napkin from a restaurant, or other little things you touched during your trip. You don’t even have to buy anything extra to do this part. 

 

Remember to Write the Good and the Bad

 

You don’t want to look back on the trip and see that it’s not written realistically. It’s perfectly okay to talk about what was good and bad about the trip. When you do that, you can plan differently next time. Maybe you learned that you need new shoes if you’re going to walk that much? It’s a good thing to write down.

 

Write What You’d Do Differently

 

If you ever go back to that travel destination, what would you do now that you’ve done it once? Would you change what you chose to do to something else? 

 

Mention What Disappointed You and What Thrilled You

 

Talk about the things that were disappointments. Were the people nice or rude? Did the train smell like excrement? That might seem like a strange thing to write, but it will help you remember even more. Also, did something unexpected happen that thrilled you and excited you? 

 

State What You Learned from Each Day

 

Add some facts that you are learning about your destination, the people you met, the people you traveled with, and yourself. For example, did you learn that you love people watching when you didn’t know you did? Did you discover a historical fact previously unknown? 

 

When It’s Over, Finish by Writing a Last Reflective Entry

 

After the trip is over, take the time to write one last entry where you reflect finally again on everything you learned about the trip. Take about what it was like, what you learned, what surprised you, and so forth. Name the thing you’d do again and the thing you’d not do again, plus something you’d do next time. 

 

A travel journal will improve your memory of the event. You’ll retain more information and - believe it or not - it’ll help you make the next trip even better. Use these tips if you want to get the most out of your travel journaling now and in the future. 

 

How to Set Yourself Up to Journal Every Day

To experience the benefits that journaling has to offer, you are going to need to do it daily. Journaling is basically a habit that you build up, and like every habit, it can take a while to cement it into your daily routine. 

 

If you want to start journaling every day, below you’ll discover the best ways to get started.

 

Remind Yourself Of The Benefits

 

Some days might be more of a struggle than others when it comes to trying to journal every day. When you are just getting started, it is easy to think “I’ll just skip journaling for today and do more tomorrow.” However, if you allow yourself to do this once, you are going to let yourself do it again.

 

To help you overcome the harder days, print out small cards which remind you of the benefits. You can look at them to gain inspiration when it is needed.

 

Obviously, there will be times when journaling is the last thing on your mind. Life happens, whether it be grief, illness, or a major life event. During tough times, journaling every day just might not be realistic.

 

Schedule Time For Journaling

 

You may find it easier to make journaling a routine if you schedule it in. Just like you would schedule an appointment, set at least 10 minutes aside each day to write in your journal. 

 

Some people find it more effective to journal first thing in the morning, while others do it at night. Figure out what works for you and then schedule journaling in at the same time every day. You will soon start to see that it becomes a habit. 

 

Start Out Small

 

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you are trying to journal every day, is placing an expectation on yourself. For example, it’s common for people to think they need to write a lot and what they do write needs to be a masterpiece. 

 

The truth is you just need to start out small. You don’t need to write a lot, or make sure that you are writing anything significant. The key is to just write. Set a timer for 10 minutes on the days you are struggling. You might find that once you get started, the words just flow from there.

 

Use A Physical Journal

 

These days, you can journal online or use a physical journal. While online journals may seem more convenient, they don’t have the same attraction as a physical journal. There is just something about writing in a physical journal that makes it a joy to use.

 

So, if you want to stick to writing in your journal every day, make sure you get one that you can physically write in.

 

These are a small selection of the best ways you can set yourself up to journal every day. Remember, it may take practice to build up journaling as a daily part of your routine. The more you stick at it, the easier you will start to find it. 

Journaling Techniques for a Better You

Looking for the best journaling technique you can utilize for a better you? There are so many great techniques you can focus on, and each has their own pros and cons. 

 

The main thing to remember when searching for the best technique, is that what works for somebody else may not work for you. Experimenting with different techniques will help you to see which one works better. With that said, there are some journaling techniques known to be more effective for personal growth.

 

Here are a few of the best journaling topics and techniques to use for a better you.

 

Gratitude

 

Potentially the best technique you can use for personal growth, is gratitude journaling. This involves writing down the things that you are grateful for each day. 

 

Studies have shown that keeping a daily gratitude journal can alter your mindset in just 21 days. It teaches you to be more positive about life and to be grateful for the things that you have. 

 

It is common in life to only focus on the things we want and the things we don’t have. By switching to thinking about the positive things already in our lives, it helps to make us happier and content.

 

Dreams

 

A dream journal may sound like an odd tool to boost personal growth. However, studies have shown that keeping a dream journal can help to improve your mindset.

 

A clear link has been discovered between dreams and mental development. The emotions you experience in your dreams can relate to your mind’s ability to cope with and process information. It is thought that the skills we learn while we are awake, come out stronger in our dreams.

 

So, if you want to recognize emotions, traits, and fears that you may have, looking at your dreams can give you the clues you need to change. Start writing down your dreams as soon as you wake up. You can then go back over them later to see what they could mean.

 

Goals/Visions

 

Another popular journaling technique is to write about your goals and visions.

 

A goal setting journal is potentially one of the best ways to better yourself. You can use it to work on absolutely anything that you want to change. It could be you want to become more cultured by traveling more. Or maybe you want to lose weight and get generally healthier? Whatever part of yourself you are trying to improve; a goal or vision journal can prove invaluable.

 

With a goal journal, you basically write down your goals and then track your progress. With vision journals, you use them to write about your dream life. They also tend to be more visual. For example, you would add pictures of things you want to achieve in your dream life.

 

As you can see, there are a few different types of journaling you can utilize. The above are just three of the best techniques you can use to better yourself. 

 

Tips for Creating a Relaxing Place to Journal

If you want to start journaling every day, finding a relaxing place to do it is going to help. While you don’t need to have an entire room dedicated to journaling, you do want to have a relaxing space you can retreat to. Here, you’ll discover some great tips on how to create a relaxing place to journal.

 

Choose a quiet space.

 

The first thing to focus on when looking for the perfect journaling space, is whether it is quiet. You are going to need a quiet area to write to get your thoughts and feelings clearly down onto the paper. 

 

If you have kids, you can do it when they are in bed or you could create a quiet space in your bedroom where you won’t be disturbed. You can journal anywhere that is comfortable and quiet. It could even be an outdoor space in warmer weather. 

 

Eliminate any clutter.

 

Wherever you choose to base your journaling space, it’s important to eliminate any clutter. When a space is cluttered, it can cause our mind to become cluttered too. So, clean up the area and make sure it is organized. 

 

The more organized your journaling space, the easier you will find it to write. 

 

Add a plant to the space.

 

You will want to make your journaling space as pleasant as you can. This means it should be visually appealing as well as comfortable. Adding a plant to the space can help to give it a sense of calm and tranquility. There are hundreds of different types of plants, ensuring there is one to match your preferences. 

 

Plants are also known to improve air quality, boosting the oxygen within the space. Not all plants will boost air quality so be sure to look specifically for plants with this feature if you want to gain the most benefits. 

 

Utilize the power of scent.

 

When you are going to write, you can control how you feel with the power of scent. You can create a relaxing, calming space by using a Lavender scent for example. Or you can improve your focus and concentration with a citrus scent. 

 

Think about a scent that helps you to feel calmer and more focused. Whatever scent you love, if you add it to your journaling routine, you’ll look forward to doing it. 

 

Have comfortable seating available.

 

Another thing you’ll want to focus on is comfortable seating. You aren’t going to want to write, or at least write for long, if you don’t have a comfortable seat. You could write on your bed, or in an ergonomic office chair. Some people also prefer to write on a large, oversized beanbag. The more comfortable your writing space, the longer you are likely to stick to it.

 

It isn’t hard to create a relaxing space for journaling. Whether you choose to do it at a desk in your office, or while sitting on your bed, the above tips will help you to create the best space.

 

When is the Best Time to Journal?

According to some experts, journaling at specific times can help to make the practice more effective. However, when you research the best time to journal, you’ll find a lot of contradictory advice. Some claim you should always do it in the morning, while others say journaling at night is better.

 

The truth is there is no set time that works better for everyone. The best time for somebody else might not be the best time for you. Therefore, it is a good idea to compare the benefits of writing in the morning and evening. That way, you can better decide which is right for you. 

 

Pros And Cons Of Journaling In The Morning

 

The most popular time of day recommended for journaling is the morning. Doing it as soon as you wake up can deliver a few great benefits. The pros of journaling in the morning include:

• It helps you to set good intentions for the day ahead.

• You can better recall your dreams.

• It can kickstart the brain, making you more focused.

• You’ll find it easier to make progress.

 

So, writing in the morning is ideal for those who are using the dream journaling technique, or those who want to be more proactive during the day. As fewer things are likely to crop up first thing in the morning, it also ensures you stick to your journaling routine. 

 

So, what about the cons of journaling in the morning? Well, events won’t be as fresh in your mind as you’ll be recalling things from the day before. Your mind is also groggier in the morning, so you may not be able to come up with solutions to any problems you are facing. 

 

Pros And Cons Of Journaling In The Evening

 

Journaling in the evening can also deliver some unique benefits. They include:

 

• You can debrief your day.

• It can help you to destress.

• You may sleep better.

• Creativity often increases in the evening.

 

When you journal at night, the events of the day are still fresh in your mind. You will be able to analyze them and get them out of your head before bed. This in turn will help you to sleep much better. You may also find it easier to write in your journal in the evenings if you are more of a night owl. This is where your creativity will be highest. 

Of course, there are downsides to writing in the evenings too. Some people find they have trouble sleeping if they try and journal before bed. This is because thinking about your problems right before you go to sleep can get them stuck in your mind. It can also cause you to stay up later than you should if you write for longer one day for example.

 

When trying to determine which time is better to journal, consider the pros and cons of each option. You should also think about your own lifestyle and where journaling can best slot into it. The right time for somebody else may not be the best time for you. 

 

Why is Journaling So Popular?

Journaling is one of the oldest self-help practices in the world. It dates to the 10^th century and has only grown in popularity over time. Today, millions of people use the practice to help improve their lives. 

 

So, why is journaling so popular? Here, you’ll discover what is driving the journaling craze and the reasons you should consider taking it up yourself.

 

Journaling relieves stress

 

Did you know that journaling is a great tool for relieving stress? Getting your thoughts and emotions down onto paper can help to clear them from the mind. This automatically leaves you feeling calmer and more relaxed.

 

Journaling can also be used to analyze your problems. When you can clearly work out solutions to the issues you are facing, it can help you to feel more in control. This in turn will help to reduce stress, helping you to feel happier and more relaxed. 

 

It boosts mental health

 

Journaling is scientifically proven to benefit mental health. It can be used to relieve the symptoms of depression, reduce anxiety, and improve overall wellbeing. 

 

It’s easy to get lost inside your own head. We all have an inner critic, but for some it can prove to be overpowering. If you have trouble switching off your inner critic, journaling can help. You’ll be able to address negative thinking, helping to switch to a more positive mindset. 

 

The longer you journal for, the more mental health benefits you’ll experience. After just a month of journaling, you’ll notice a drastic improvement in your mood. 

 

Journaling provides surprising health benefits

 

As well as helping to boost mental health, journaling can also be great for physical health too. There have been a lot of studies which have shown that journaling on a regular basis can:

 

• Boost your immune system.

• Improve your memory.

• Help you recover from trauma.

• Improve cardiovascular health.

 

The health benefits are largely down to an increase in stress and negativity. You might just be surprised how much a positive outlook can improve your physical health. 

 

So, if you are looking to become healthier both mentally and physically, keeping a daily journal can help. 

 

Helping to improve every aspect of your life

 

With journaling, it can help to improve every aspect of your life. You can use it to better yourself in every possible way. Want to lose weight? A journal can help you to set goals and track your progress. It will also help you to identify what it is that is making you keep the weight on (such as poor eating habits or emotional eating).

 

You can use daily journaling to improve your relationships, get better sleep, become healthier and reduce stress. There really is no limit to what journaling can help you to achieve. 

 

These are some of the main reasons why journaling is so popular. While it used to only consist of writing down your thoughts, these days there are lots of different types you can practice. Research the different types before choosing which one is right for you. 

 

Common Blind Spots When Working on Self-Care

When it comes to working on self-care, all of us have different blind spots. These are basically aspects of our ourselves that aren’t fully aware of. It could be personality traits, feelings, or actions.

 

These blind spots can really hamper our self-care efforts. That is why it is so important to become fully aware of them. Here, we’ll look at some of the most common blind spots you may discover when working on self-care.

 

You avoid conflict

 

A lot of people hate conflict, but sometimes it is needed to resolve situations. If you tend to avoid conflict, it means you’ll often do or say things you don’t necessarily agree with. This is a common blind spot that can really derail your self-care efforts.

 

The trouble is, when you give in to others just to avoid conflict, it reduces your credibility. You’ll also find you are frequently miserable due to not standing firm in your own beliefs and values. So, if your blind spot is avoiding conflict, it’s important to address it. 

 

Not letting toxic people go

 

Do you have toxic people in your life you just can’t seem to let go of? Whether it is a friend, partner, or family member, associating with toxic people is going to really hurt your self-development. 

 

If you learn to let toxic people go, it’s going to significantly improve your life. You’ll be happier and much more able to make positive changes in your life. It’s hard to remain positive in life when you are surrounded by negativity. So, assess the relationships in your life and if there is a toxic person around you, work on distancing yourself and instead surround yourself with positive role models. 

 

You are continually late

 

Frequently running late might not sound like a problematic blind spot in self-care. However, it could be negatively impacting various aspects of your life. When you are known for being late, it lowers your trustworthiness. This can negatively impact your personal relationships, as well as lead to issues at work. 

 

In terms of self-care, this trait can make it harder to stick to certain changes you make. For example, you may find it more difficult to stick to a schedule you set yourself. 

 

Impatience

 

If you tend to be an impatient person, you may find self-care more challenging. This is because you won’t necessarily see any results overnight. It takes time to adopt new habits and see the benefits of self-care. So, if you’re impatient, you might give up before you’ve experienced the benefits of your hard work. 

 

When you are impatient, it makes you frustrated when you don’t see instant results. So, working on becoming more patient as you start your self-care journey is essential if you want to keep it up.

 

These are some of the most common blind spots you’ll experience when working on self-care. Identifying your blind spots will help you to reduce the challenges of self-care and make you much more likely to succeed with any changes you make.

 

How the Lack of Self-Care Can Lead to an Unhappy Life

Self-care is often seen as a luxury, but did you know it can lead to a longer, happier life? Without self-care, you’re likely to end up feeling stressed, tired, and generally unhappy. 

Here, we’ll look at how a lack of self-care can lead to an unhappy life. You will also learn some of the signs to watch out for that you need more self-care in your life.

 

You’ll feel stressed and exhausted

 

When you aren’t taking care of yourself, you’ll often feel stressed and exhausted. This in turn can lead to burnout and a feeling of resentment. For example, it could be that you are exhausted from taking care of everyone else’s needs. Over time, if you don’t factor in self-care, you could end up resenting your loved ones.

 

When you are constantly exhausted and stressed out, it’s impossible to maintain a positive outlook. Self-care helps to combat stress and it also boosts your energy levels. 

 

Personal hygiene suffers

 

A side effect of not following a self-care routine, is that your personal hygiene could suffer. This is especially true for those experiencing depression. When you are depressed or low, self-care is the last thing on your mind. In severe cases, you could spend days in bed, failing to do even basic self-care tasks such as taking a shower or brushing your teeth.

 

The trouble is, failing to take care of yourself leads you to feel even worse. So, maintaining self-care is crucial for your mental health and personal hygiene. 

 

You’ll seek unhealthy enjoyment

 

Another thing that tends to happen when you lack self-care, is you’ll seek unhealthy enjoyment. It could be overindulging in junk food because it makes you feel better. Or you could turn to alcohol or drugs to escape. 

 

When you start turning to unhealthy habits for comfort, it’s going to lead to additional issues. You’ll also feel unhappier, particularly if you drink in excess. Alcohol is a depressant which can leave you feeling a lot worse than you started.

 

Weight gain 

 

Many people who don’t take care of themselves, experience some level of weight gain. The more weight you gain, the unhappier you are going to be. It can be difficult to lose weight, so focus on self-care to help you to avoid this potential challenge.

 

You never feel good enough

 

Self-care is something you do because you are worth it. Therefore, if you fail to take care of yourself, you can end up feeling like you are never good enough. As you are constantly tired and juggling life’s responsibilities, you may feel like you are a failure, or you simply don’t measure up to others.

 

These are just some of the things that can happen when you don’t follow a self-care routine. The effects can be severe, causing you to lead an unhappy and unfulfilled life. So, if you’re looking to lead a happier life, now is the time to start focusing on your needs and making self-care a priority.

 

How to Balance Practicing Personal Self Care with a Busy Life

One of the most difficult challenges a lot of people face with self-care, is finding the time to fit it in. When you live a busy lifestyle, it can seem almost impossible to find extra time to look after you.

 

So, how can you balance practicing self-care with a busy lifestyle? Here, you’ll discover some great tips you can follow.

 

Schedule it in

 

A good tip you can follow to ensure you can fit self-care into your busy routine, is to schedule it in. Think about it, you schedule in everything else, so why not self-care? When you set a time to focus on yourself, you are much more likely to stick to it. No matter how busy you think you are, there will always be time for self-care somewhere in your schedule.

 

Establish a morning routine

 

If you are struggling to find the best time of day to practice self-care, you might find it easier in the morning. If you’re a busy parent, you might disagree here but think about it. In the morning, you could get up just 30 minutes earlier, or 15 minutes if you want. This can be the perfect opportunity to practice self-care.

 

Alternatively, if you are a parent you could focus on self-care in the evenings when the kids have gone to bed. It doesn’t take long to practice self-care so you should always be able to squeeze it in somewhere. 

 

Look at automating daily tasks

 

There are all kinds of tools and gadgets that can automate various aspects of our lives. If you are constantly busy, you’ll find automating certain tasks can be a game changer. 

 

For example, you could switch from going to the grocery store, to ordering groceries online. If you have items you frequently purchase, these can be added to your favorites list, making it easier to add them to your order next time. Doing your grocery shopping online can free up a lot of free time during the week that can be used on self-care.

 

Start small

 

You don’t have to start by completely overhauling your lifestyle. Instead, you can start small with self-care. Begin by taking just 10 minutes out of each day to focus on a self-care activity. Focus on developing one positive self-care habit at a time. Once you have mastered that, you can move on to the next task. 

 

By starting small, it makes it easier to fit self-care into your busy life. Many people mistakenly think they need to begin with at least 30 minutes a day. The truth is, however much time you can free up for self-care is enough. Once you get started, you’ll find it easier to start focusing more on self-care due to the benefits you experience.

 

Overall, balancing practicing self-care with a busy lifestyle isn’t easy. However, the tips above can really help. You’ll find a lot of tips online too from busy people just like you. Remember, self-care is essential to your health and wellbeing. So, no matter how busy you are, you should always try and make time for self-care daily.

 

The First Step to Change is to Recognize it is Needed

If you’re struggling to make healthier changes in your life, it could be that you’re not convinced a change is needed. Many of us are also great at avoiding change. It tends to be something we dread, rather than look forward to. 

 

However, if you want to live your best life, it’s imperative you recognize when a change is needed. So, how exactly can you recognize that change is needed in your life? Below, you’ll discover some of the common signs to look out for.

 

You feel lost or stuck in life

 

Do you feel like you’re stuck in a rut and you have lost your purpose? This is a sure sign that a change is needed. Everyone has a purpose, but it isn’t always easy to identify it. Also, your purpose can change as you get older and go through life’s experiences. So, if you feel like your life isn’t your own anymore, it’s time to make a change. 

 

Your mood is consistently flat

 

Another sign change is needed is if you find your mood is constantly flat. That is, you don’t really enjoy anything anymore. You don’t have to feel depressed to make a change, simply feeling constantly flat is another indicator your life isn’t satisfying.

 

Think about the things that used to make you feel good. It could be that you once enjoyed your career. If you now don’t like your job, it’s a sign you need to make a change to get back to feeling that initial excitement. 

 

You suffer with poor self esteem

 

Low self-esteem can develop for a lot of different reasons. However, it tends to be more prevalent in those who don’t take care of themselves. If you lack self-care, you may criticize yourself more or feel like you aren’t worth much. 

 

Over time, poor self-esteem can lead you to feel like you don’t deserve good things in life. This in turn can cause you to give up trying to be happy. If you suffer with poor self-esteem, it is a good sign you need a change. 

 

You have very little energy

 

Having little energy throughout the day could be a sign of poor sleep. However, it can also relate to a deeper issue if you are constantly tired. It may mean that you have lost your passion and interest in life. When you spend a lot of time doing things that don’t inspire you, it can zap your energy quickly. 

 

So, if you wake up feeling tired and drained consistently, take it as a sign you need more self-care in your life. When you are taking care of yourself, you’ll feel energized and ready to take on anything.

 

As you can see, there are a lot of signs that could point to the fact you need a change. Self-care can really help to improve self-esteem, give you a sense of purpose and help to make you feel happier and more energized. So, if you want to make a change, recognize where your current issues lie and use self-care to eliminate them.