Because your spiral-bound diary from 1997 isn’t cutting it anymore.
Let me start with a confession: I’ve started approximately 47 journals in my lifetime. Maybe more. Most are abandoned halfway through January with about three entries and a grocery list. So if you’ve ever bought a gorgeous notebook, wrote one angsty paragraph, and then lost it in your nightstand drawer forever—hi, welcome. You are my people.
But lately, I’ve actually figured out a journaling practice that works for real-life humans. It’s not about being poetic or consistent or good. It’s about getting quiet with yourself for five dang minutes and being honest. That’s it.
So whether you’re journaling for clarity, healing, sanity, or just to remember what day it is—let’s make it simple, doable, and maybe even…enjoyable?
Here are my go-to journaling tips for beginners that actually stick. No guilt. No perfection. Just real life on paper.
My List of Journal Tips That Stick
- Lower the bar. No, seriously. Lower it.
You don’t need to write a novel or start with “Dear Diary.” (Unless you want to. You do you.) One sentence is enough. A word. A doodle. A hot take on your day. The key? Just show up messy. No rules. - Give your journal a “job.”
Is it a gratitude log? A venting vault? A space to process big feelings? Pick a vibe. It helps your brain know what to do when the page is staring at you like a blank void. - Pick a time that actually works for you.
Some people journal at dawn. Those people are adorable. There’s no magic hour—just whatever time you can commit to without hating your life. - Use prompts if your brain goes blank.
Some days I’m like, “What even happened today?” and nothing comes. So I keep a stash of prompts handy, like:
- What made me feel something today?
- What am I avoiding?
- What do I need more or less of right now?
(If you want more where this came from, my Wellness for the Rest of Us course is packed with self-reflection tools like this.)
- Go for five minutes. Set a timer. That’s it.
This is my favorite trick. Set a 5-minute timer, write whatever spills out, then move on with your day. You will be amazed how much lighter you feel after just five honest minutes. - Don’t reread it. Yet.
This isn’t for editing. It’s not a memoir-in-progress. Let it be raw. Let it be rambly. Just get it out and move on. (You can read it back later when you’re ready for insight—or comedy.) - Celebrate tiny wins.
Three days in a row? You’re basically an icon. One honest page? Queen behavior. A half-finished entry that helped you breathe deeper? That counts. It all counts.
Ready to Make Journaling Part of Your Real-Life Self-Care?
If you’re craving a gentler, more grounded rhythm in your life—not just journaling, but real tools for rest, healing, and breathing room—I created something just for you.
The Self-Care & Sanity Me Course Bundle is where we take tiny habits (like journaling!) and build them into something healing and sustainable. Think of it as a soul reset button. You’ll love it.
And friend—if you’ve fallen off the journaling wagon before, welcome to the club. Just start again. There’s zero shame in coming back to yourself.
Your story is worth writing down — even if it’s one messy, honest, beautiful line at a time.