5 Ways to Journal (And Why You Should)

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In this video, we'll be discussing the benefits of keeping a journal and exploring 5 different ways to get started.

First, we'll look at some historical figures who have kept journals throughout history. These individuals have all used journaling as a way to document their thoughts, ideas, and experiences, and their journals have provided us with valuable insights into their lives and work.

Next, we'll delve into the benefits of journaling. Many people find that keeping a journal can help them process their thoughts and emotions, improve their mental health and well-being, and even boost their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Then, we'll look at five different ways to journal, including traditional pen and paper, digital journaling apps, art journals, and more. Whether you prefer to write, draw, or doodle, there's a journaling method that will work for you.

Finally, we'll address the question of whether to keep an analog or digital journal. There are pros and cons to both methods, and the right choice will depend on your personal preferences and needs.

Overall, we hope this video has inspired you to give journaling a try. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a complete beginner, there's a journaling method that will work for you. Happy writing!

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[shubhranilnag]

For me, keeping commonplace books has worked the best, because i get too hung up on structure and organisation and pretty pages (like with bullet journaling). I keep two commonplace books, one digital one analog, one for keeping quotes and infos and one for deep thinking
Happy New year!

[ailinkawa]

One thing that make me stick with writing is having an ugly journal. It's a trashy notebook I didn't end up using for uni. I tear up pages, I paint them, I destroy, doodle, stick silly things. Not having a pretty, fancy journal relief the pressure of having to write pretty and not make mistakes. I really recommend it :)

[NikodemHild]

The timeline at the bottom of the video is quick innovative and cool!

[caedengoering]

Another of my all time favorite (but very intense method) is to set and timer and not pause for 10 minutes. Literally do not stop writing for any reason for 10 minutes. This was recommended by Matthew Dicks for storytelling. If you run out of thoughts - start writing colors or numbers. Eventually that will pivot you to a brand new story or experience. I was really shocked by the variety of stories that came out. Some I’d even completely forgotten about. Some were deeply personal and vulnerable. Others were silly. Especially if you’re seeking experiences to tell stories about, or you’re writing and autobiography. It’s a great way to tell your story.

[AndLifeGoesBy]

The beauty of journaling is that there's no restriction in what to journal. You could recap the best moments of your day, you could do an annual review, you could reflect on failures, you could write bullet points about interesting observations of your surroundings, you could even journal about your job and what you learnt in school that day. And since you're writing in your own voice, you tend to remember what you wrote very clearly.

[aeqqustic]

For the people that are not in the headspace to write, just openning the diary and writing "nothing" it is valid, useful and an honest journaling experience.

[pula]

I started journaling about a year ago because a therapist once said I live too much in my head, she suggested that I tried paying more attention to the world in my day-to-day life and writing down things I noticed, and it honestly helped, because then I started paying attention to what was making me feel how I feel, so it's also a place for venting.
I started it by free writing on my laptop then I got a binder and I fill it with as many pages I need, I also enjoy punching holes on paper

[patriciadavison]

I cannot imagine a day in my life without having one of my ‘zillion’ (!) journals with me, or near to me. I began at age 7 years and I am now 70 years. I’m a lover of stationary, pens, papers, beautiful Journals, etc, . Must have been a scribe in a previous life! My journal is my best friend, my listener, my constant companion and my exploration buddy in every single aspect of my life on this planet. The best stress buster available and great for anxiety too. I go nowhere without a Journal. It’s the best place to keep memories, worries, concerns, observations, etc and give your brain a rest too (put stuff on the page and not in your inner filing system!). Great video - I really enjoyed all that you said and suggested. Thank You 🙂

[ichbindoofhihi]

I was very intimated at first because I was in a very bad mental state like a year ago and I just started with doodling. Just drawing without thinking basically and writing some words if you want to. I am a horrible drawer but now looking back at them I still know what I meant by most of them, even if it were just abstract lines. So that maybe helps!

[guntz-nga]

For me, freewriting works wonders! I just write everything that's in my head - it's like my anxious thoughts are not in me anymore, they're in my journal. I write it everyday right before going to bed, but I need to write on something that has a keyboard. Hate writing on my phone and a real physical journal simply isn't for me. Since I started journaling I just stopped one time for a month and my life just got messier and messier - I then realized how important journaling was for me and never stopped since then.

[NithyaShantiNow]

I use a journaling method called “In the sphere of silence” which is a one hour date with oneself. It involves reflection, planning, visioning, reading, summarizing and silence.

[mrfredbasset]

Something that also helps a lot to keep up with the habit of journaling often when you think "I have nothing to write about" is to have a list of journal prompts that you can pick from to get you started

[robertmoore]

I’ve been journaling for around four years on an almost daily basis and it has been extremely beneficial for me. I’ve found out that writing freehand (just with pen and a notebook) is much better for me when expressing ideas or thoughts about life in general. Journaling is therapeutic. What a life changing habit if done on a constant basis! I cannot recommend it enough! Happy New Year!

[chloewffls]

I'm personally a fan of having a bullet journal for structure, productivity, and creativity (I draw and decorate my bujo) and then having a free writing journal for my thoughts and feelings or funny/memorable moments of the day. I don't use my free writing journal every single day but my bujo is usually at least opened and used for trackers everyday. Before I started journaling I couldn't keep track of everything in life and I would get overwhelmed easily. The act of writing things down and color coding tasks helps me so much. Writing about a really good day or a really bad day and unpacking that on paper helps me to unload those thoughts and feelings; I don't hold onto them and carry them around like I would before.

[rlinden]

I'm a psych prof about to retire after 40 plus years of teaching. Journaling feels right to me now as I transition to this new phase in my life. Thank you! The commonplace approach combined with a deep dive feels right to me. I'm going to begin there. Definitely analogue for me. The paper, pen, etc. makes my heart sing.

[minja]

Chaotic journaling with collecting ideas, favorite things, quotes, and writing about my journey to healthier me and manifesting pages, collages, drawings etc. Anything but "Dear diary today I went to the grocery store" - stuff 😄 It has helped me to collect ideas and to see my progress

[CH-skjr]

“Micro-journaling” can also be helpful for beginners or those who have struggled with keeping up a habit of journaling!

Grab a notebook (or Word document for those who have negative associations with a physical journal and the stress of trying to perfectly perform a journaling habit — there is no shame at all in changing formats to make a practice more accessible for your mental health!). In that notebook/document, write *as little as you want to* when you happen to want to write. It can be one line, one paragraph, one page, or whatever you choose for that moment. It doesn’t have to be every day. It can be multiple times a day. It’s just what works for you to be able to write down what you’re thinking or feeling in a given moment, or what you want to remember for the future.

This process allows you to get comfortable with the routine and action of journaling over time, enabling your brain to approach the practice without the pressure of a daily habit or the expectation of a long, grandiose entry every time you sit down to write. Since it’s a similar amount of effort to typing a text/Tweet/post/etc., this “micro-journaling” method helps a lot of folks escape the artificial pressure of “perfectly journaling” and allows them to embrace a practice that’s beneficial to their long-term health (when done in a way that actually works for them). It also tends to open the floodgates and make writing more appealing on the whole. Would recommend!

[emilybrown]

Bros, I love journaling. It helps me feel so much less stressed about my life and more comfortable in my mind. I started a planner in high school when I had like five overdue assignments and from there I just had a really great experience. My advice to anyone who wants to start journaling, or anyone who has done it for a while, is to not get stuck in a specific structure. There are planning, recording and reflecting sides in journaling, and there are benefits to every form of doing them. Do whatever form you like when you feel like it and then I think you'll have a great time.

[thenubianreview]

Everything in my life has a journal, and the more I explore there the more journals to fill. Currently, I have 2 commonplace journals, and my daily journal I use them every day! Recently I started a journal for all my pet family. Being an owner of eight other beings has me motivated to take more pictures and document the moments. In total I use 10 different journals to document specific events in my life, it has become a labor of love and I'm able to share my story with my children and loved ones. I encourage people to journal even if it's just drawings it's a reflection of where you are or were in a space in time.

[luizappicanco]

I’ve tried journaling all my life and always failed until the beginning of 2022. This time I decide to keep a simple reading journal and actually commit to it. I basically write the name of the book, author and date, followed by a brief summary of the text and my thoughts on it (Did I like the book? Why?).

I slowed down mid-october, but I managed to write a short “review” for practically every book I read this year and I already bought a notebook for 2023. It’s amazing the amount of things you can find out about yourself by writing notes on what you read. My top 5 were:
1) I’m annoyed by books/characters that explain themselves too much, but like it when they break the “forth wall”;
2) When it comes to writing female characters, I’m more critical of female authors (probably cause I expect more from them/underestimate male writers);
3) I like middle grade novels even more as an adult (oh sweet nostalgia);
4) The type of format I read depends on the book (ex.: for first person narrators, I tend to listen to audiobooks);
5) I would like to read more poetry.

It takes some time to get into it, but I hight recommend reading journals for anyone who wants to start writing more.