One of the most common complaints I hear about why people don’t enjoy journaling is that whenever they sit down to write, they simply just don’t know WHAT to write.
I can relate to that feeling.
I had therapists telling me how beneficial if would be for me to start writing—I wanted to, but I just didn’t know what to do. By that I mean, I knew how to do it once, but I had no idea how I was going to become consistent with it.
Like any other neurotypical girl with ADHD, I started planning. I made an Amazon list of all the things I wanted or needed in order to start working towards this new goal of mine and created Pinterest boards of ideas, layouts and doodles for inspiration.
Well, one year later, I’m proud to say that I achieved me goal. I journaled every single day for a year and tested out all of the brands of pens and markers that you can think of and here are my top picks if you’re looking to get yourself to journal more. As for my tips on how to get yourself to actually DO it, here are my three suggestions:
Tip No. 01 – Accountability
Sometimes it takes us being a little extra in order to hold ourselves accountable to something, and there is no shame in admitting that out loud.
I’ve worked from home since COVID started. On top of that, I lived alone, so by the time I started my journaling goal, I honestly resented being indoors. Forcing yourself into a daily routine where you need to leave the house in order to accomplish a goal—I will say it again for the people in the back…
If someone needs to create a routine for themselves in order to accomplish a goal and create accountability, there is NO shame in that.
What did this look like for me? Well I did what any aspiring writer would do, I went to Starbucks.
First, I’m not promoting anyone to go spend their money like crazy on coffee everyday—I had gift cards that I found when I was moving. That, plus their rewards points and gift cards that I would earn from doing side jobs here and there, allowed me to do this.
On days that I didn’t go to the nearest coffee shop, I would go sit at a park to read and write. Whatever you do to hold yourself accountable is your own personal choice—just do it.
Tip No. 02 – Be Creative
I know this sounds odd when you don’t even know where to start. This is where my planning came in.
I used a lot of journal prompts for the first four months, which you can find on my Pinterest board here. Forcing myself to write out the questions and answer them helped me discover what I actually wanted and liked, instead of allowing myself to continue to be influenced by others.
I also used markers, pens, washi tape—you name it, I had it.
For the record, the Sakura pens are the best, but if you journal regularly you probably already know that. If you want to go old-school, the Gelly Rolls are still around too.
If you need some ideas, start with gratitude (there’s a reason they say to do this, it works).
Tip No. 03 – Write What You See
I can’t tell you how many mornings I sat there staring at the blank page with no idea what to write—so I wrote down what I was feeling.
One of the most repeated lines in my journal is how much I enjoy the mornings because it’s so quiet and peaceful, nobody was out, the streets were quiet and I could watch the sun creep up over the buildings until it was in full view.
When you write what you see, you discover who you are. Your likes, your dislikes, goals and ideas, before you know it you will be through three topics and half your page.
Creating a Motivating Journaling Routine
Achieving a consistent journaling habit might seem a little daunting at first, but with a bit of planning and creativity, it became the most enjoyable part of my day. Holding yourself accountable, using prompts, and simply writing what you see or feel can turn journaling from a chore into a motivating ritual.
Give it a try and watch as your thoughts and experiences transform into a meaningful record of your life. Happy journaling!
