The Journaling Guide Newsletter: Five Ways to Fortify Your Journaling Habit
One of the easiest things to do with your journaling habit, and any important habit, is to watch it fall away. Your life gets busy, and something has to give.
Here are a five steps you can take right now to keep it going.
Number 1: What Gets Scheduled Gets Done
When you have a meeting at work or a doctor's appointment, it's on the calendar, and you go. You can apply the same mindset to journaling. Create a "personal reflection" calendar block and treat it like an appointment. You can also make a recurring task on your to-do list.
I journal every night. It's like a ritual. Once the kids are settled and asleep and the evening chores are done, I go upstairs, brush my teeth, get into bed, and use my iPad mini to journal and read.
Number 2: It Doesn't Take as Much Time as You Think
You can write a meaningful journal entry in five minutes. You don't need to write a novel, just a few sentences. Just enough to fulfill this purpose: get the idea out and find some reflection.
Number 3: There Is No Perfect Journal
I've written about what I call the perfect journaling fallacy. It's easy to get in your own head, especially if you're using an analog notebook or diary. You may worry that it's too perfect, too expensive, too special.
Someone made that journal for you to write your thoughts in. You are worthy of its pages, and your thoughts belong within its binding. Don't let the Resistance keep you from doing what serves you.
Number 4: You Don't Need a Candle
I know the thought of sitting at your desk, the fire roaring in the background and candles lit all around you, is appealing. It's the stuff of magic, actually.
The truth is — and you know this as well as anyone — you rarely get to do what you want in such perfect circumstances. You can journal anywhere, as long as you have your tools, a little time, and the ability to focus. It's better to do it during your lunch break than to not do it at all.
Number 5: Your Journal Is for You, Don't Worry About Them
This habit is meant to make you better, so try to remember that when you're writing. It isn't meant to be performative. Your journal is a roadmap meant to help you make sense of the past, understand your present, and chart a course toward where you want to end up.
There isn't a perfect journal habit out there, but there is one that's best for you—and that's the one you'll actually use regularly.
If you've been journaling, keep at it. If your habit has fallen off, there's never a better time to get back into it than right now.
As always, I'm rooting for you.
I originally sent this to my subscribers at The Journaling Guide a few weeks ago. You can join the small and growing community of engaged journalers by visiting The Journaling Guide website.