It’s hard to stick to habits that support your growth as an individual. It takes the average person 66 days to seriously adopt a new behavior. So don’t beat yourself up if you’ve already tried to start a journal, but it didn’t quite go as expected.
Here are a few ways to set yourself up for success with your new journaling practice:
01. Find a time that works for you.
Not everyone is a morning person, so waking early to journal everyday might not be in your nature. Try different times to see what works for you. Maybe you try journaling at night before bed. Or maybe you fit it in during your lunch as a way to break up the day.
02. Use journaling prompts.
Sometimes it’s hard trying to figure out what you want to add to your journal. Journaling prompts are a great way to take off some of the pressure. Whether it’s a list of questions for you to answer to get to know yourself better or a list of things for you to illustrate.
Pinterest is your friend here for quickly finding new ideas.
03. Find a space that works for you.
For me, I love writing in my journal at my kitchen bar. I need a clean surface and a fresh cup of coffee to start my morning. But there are a lot of different options for you. You could journal in bed before you close your eyes. Or you could prefer to sit on your porch and journal with the smell of fresh air.
04. Don’t be too precious
You can’t get journaling wrong. It’s not meant to be seen by the world. It’s a personal practice just for you to look back on. It’s okay to scribble, to make mistakes, to spill coffee, or to write with your worst handwriting.
05. Keep your journal with you.
Whether you’re heading out for a coffee or going on a vacation, try to keep your journal handy. You never know when you’ll have a free minute to capture your ideas.
Take your time and experience clarity. Slow down, reflect and take note of the things that work for you and those that don’t work.
Every day you have the chance to write out your vision, likes/dislikes, or even small things that delighted you in a moment. Either way, doing this helps you make bold steps towards building the life you were designed to live.
