Everyone has had a diary. At this point, it’s a certified right of passage. However, for most, the sporadic entries about the cute kid in our math class doesn’t hold the same weight now, as it did in 6th grade. But that’s not to say that one can’t journal in a more mature, self-aware, reflective manner.
Personally, I started journaling in our generations most historic month: March 2020. And can I say confidently, what a world of difference it has made for my self-awareness, growth and point of view. Not only was it a way to keep myself entertained in the confinement of the first quarantine, it allowed me to track my progress in all aspects of my life: personal growth, maturity, self-taught philosophy and French lessons (story for another time), beginnings and endings of friendships, important life events, even history for God’s sake. On the outside, my journal is nothing special. A black faux-leather Moleskine dotted notebook, gifted to me as a past Christmas present, plastered with my ever-growing collection of travel/NYC related stickers. However, if my house was burning down, besides my family of course, my journal would be the first thing I would grab. The value I have created by the countless hours of self-reflection, sweat, and tears throughout my journaling is absolutely irreplaceable. Don’t be fooled, I did not always feel this way about my journal. It has taken months of hassle, trial, and error to achieve a “routine” that I enjoy and most importantly, improve with. In an effort to save my readers the (majority of) embarrassing entries and hours of staring at a blank page, I’ve created a 5 step guide to starting your own journal. Hopefully, you’ll receive the same amount of enjoyment and growth as I have from this seemingly simple discipline.
Step 1: Get a journal— Now, I know this seems simple… mostly because it is. Your journal should look like whatever makes you the most happy: dotted, lined, blank, white, black, neon pink, square, rectangle, boring, covered in stickers, whatever makes you excited to write. It doesn't have to cost $25 to be special; it just has to motivate you to put something meaningful inside. I like having a journal around 7x9, because I bring it with me all the time, stick it in my tote bag and find a nice spot in the shade to write. Most important thing of all, make sure it means something to you. If it makes you excited to write, you’ve found the one.
Step 2: Pick an intention— You may be thinking, “Maddie, an intention? This is a piece of paper, not a crystal.” And with that statement, you would be correct. However… this journal is, dare I say, more powerful than a crystal. The right intention is crucial to being honest with yourself about what you want your journaling experience to look like. The options are infinite: “Love & Light”, “Practice daily writing for the new internship I’m manifesting”, “Honesty with myself and my relationships”, “Self-reflection and growth”, “Working through the emotional repression I have going on”, etc. Being honest and direct at the get-go will set a tone for the rest of your journaling. As rigid or flexible as you would like, the intention may not stay the same throughout all of the pages, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s encouraged. A shift in intention shows growth, evolution in your person as a whole. Don’t be scared to change, it’s a good sign.
Step 3: Crack open the front cover, and write. — A blank page is quite daunting, I get it. It’s not easy to start, however, it’s important to realize there’s no such thing as “messing up”. This journal is a time stamp, a picture of the person you are at this very moment. There’s nothing you can write that’s going to “mess up” the journal, every entry, every word has worth. Some people like guided entries, questions like “What did I do that made me proud today?” Other’s enjoy lists, “3 things I liked abut today. 3 things I didn’t like about today. 3 ways I can make tomorrow better.” I’m partial to daily entries, “**date**, today was ___.” Then I continue with the main things of my day/days since I’ve last journaled that stick out, and the emotions that followed. After I feel like I’m done with that part, sometimes I’ll do a more guided entry like the ones listed above. Feel the ebb and flow; all days are different, your entires might be too.
Step 4: Hold yourself accountable—Some are routine-oriented, Type A, and others go with the flow, Type B. As a Type A myself, I need a routine to keep me accountable, happy, and relaxed. Until journaling became a habit for me, I had to force myself to check off the box in my brain to journal every night. For others, this may sound stressful, annoying, and ultimately the opposite of how I felt with my routine. That is okay, and completely valid. It’s important to know how you function best, and fit journaling to your routine. Journaling should conform to you, not the other way around. That being said, nothing becomes a habit without some elbow grease. Type A or B, effort has to be made to produce a worthwhile result. Stick to it, and eventually, it’ll become a seamless part of your daily routine.
Step 5: Enjoy!— After the brunt of the work is done, bask in the glory of your new found daily routine! Journaling is meant to be a tool to assist you to being the most whole version of you, enjoy it! It’s okay to take a few days off, I know I do. When I’m feeling extremely emotional in any sense, sometimes I just need to take a day to process before I can put what I’m feeling into words. That might work for you, or it might not. The golden rule of journaling: Do what is best for you.
I hope this helps you start your journaling adventure! I’ve received so much out of journaling, it only feels right to enlighten my friends and readers on this amazing self growth practice. Have so much fun! Always remember the golden rule :)
xoxo, Maddie <3
