Journaling for People Who Hate Journaling
Journaling is really good for you. It helps with processing our emotions, tracking progress toward goals, and has even been shown to improve physical health. It's great! But if you're anything like me, you've probably started journaling a million times only to abandon the practice after a few days. Some of us don't enjoy writing, have a hard time keeping track of a physical journal, or simply struggle with maintaining routines. No matter the reason, there are still plenty of ways that those of us who hate journaling can get in on the fun and reap the benefits.
Try these tips:
1. Go Digital
If keeping track of a physical journal is part of what keeps you from journaling, then feel free to ditch the pen and paper in favor of a digital space. Emails to yourself, musings in your phone's notes app, voice notes, and even videos are all simple ways you could start a digital journal that is accessible wherever you go. Additionally there are plenty of apps out there that are specifically designed for journaling.
2. Follow a structure or a prompt
If you have trouble knowing where to start or what to write about, you might find prompts or structured journaling helpful. What's the difference between the two? Journaling prompts are typically formatted as questions and offer specific themes and topics to reflect on.
For example:
What three ordinary things bring you the most joy?
What difficult thoughts or emotions come up most frequently for you?
Finish this sentence: “My life would be incomplete without …”
On the other hand, structured journals are more like templates or questionnaires that guide the format and content of each journal entry. This can be an existing published technique like Bullet Journaling or it could be a set of questions you choose for yourself.
Here are two examples of daily templates:
Rose: positive highlight of your day
Bud: something you are looking forward to
Thorn: one not so great thing that happened today
Today's Date:
Weather:
I spent most of my day...
Interesting notes on the day...
I plan to do tomorrow...
I talked to...
I learned...
Things to remember...
Past moments I remembered...
I wish...
3. Get creative
A journal doesn't have to be written at all. As we've already mentioned, voice notes and videos are good journaling options for some. You could also try art journaling.
4. Remember it doesn't have to be daily
Remembering to journal every day can be difficult, especially if routines aren't your thing. Good news: you don't have to journal every day! You can follow any schedule you want or even set a numerical goal for how many times you would like to journal each year (or month or week). You make the rules!
