I wasn’t always into the journaling-niche. I loved its aesthetic and what I could only assume were great benefits, but I just couldn’t ever fully develop the habit. In fact, I’ve owned I don’t know how many journals over my lifetime that just always remained blank, that it wasn’t until I got The 5 Minute Journal and a cute, blank astrological journal from Barnes & Noble that anything changed.
(I think there’s something psychologically proven that if your books or journals are aesthetically pleasing or intriguing, you’ll actually pick them up HAHA).
I’ve now been journaling for an entire year and I’m so glad I started. It took a bit of trial and error to keep up with the routine, but I’ve gotten to know myself really well through it, and it’s gotten to be one of the few places that holds every one of my secrets, hopes, fears, doubts, and just all the brainwaves. Journals really do become the least judgmental friends you can have. It knows me better than anyone else probably does, and has allowed me to get to know myself incredibly intimately. I now hold journaling in such a high respect.
This is your sign to finally jump on the bandwagon. Morning journaling ended up being the best option for me to stay consistent — so here’s my routine, plus a few tips to get you off on the right foot.
Keep It On Your Nightstand
One of the biggest differences in my journaling or not journaling was whether or not I could just reach over and grab it first thing in the morning. If my journal is on my nightstand, it’s one of the first things I see in the mornings, which makes it easy to make it the first thing I do when I wake up.
If my journal is literally anywhere but on my nightstand, it doesn’t happen.
So keep yours somewhere you can just as easily reach for.
Literally Make It The First Thing You Do
My feet don’t hit the floor for the day until I’ve journaled and woken up my brain a little. Make that the same for you.
I start with The 5 Minute Journal because this journal already has daily prompts laid out for you. You don’t even have to come up with something to write about; so when it’s the first thing you do in the morning, that’s the best perk.
The 5 Minute Journal asks you for three (3) things to be grateful for, three (3) things that would make your day great, and one (1) affirmation or intention for your day. So you only have to use your brain for a few minutes.
Such a readily available resource that there shouldn’t be any excuses not to do it.
This journal is just one of many guided journals out there that can help activate your personal discovery and growth. Don’t skip out on them!
Guided Journals from Barnes & Noble.
Make Affirmations Fun
Because I’m your astrological girly, my daily affirmations come from my tarot pulls or horoscope. The app “Co-Star” gives me my day at a glance based on the positions of the stars, which in turn helps me figure out what I need to focus on and remember for myself. But my tarot pulls are super fun too. I use the Sacred Earth Oracle Cards deck. There are 45 cards in the deck. I come up with my affirmations by shuffling them around on my bed until one or two turn over. After writing out the card’s description and which points resonate with me, I can figure out the right intention and reminder for the day.
Your affirmations can come from similar practices, or even apps like “I Am,” “Moonly App,” or “Co-Star.” Your affirmations can come from what you think you need to tell yourself that day. Or they can come from websites like TwoWander.com that sends out one affirmation/intention for the entire week.
Make your affirmations fun to find and come up with. It helps set the tone for the day and it gives you something meaningful to write down. I’m a firm believer that writing things out helps you remember them, so I always enjoy the affirmations part of my journal routine.
Write Out Your Thoughts A Bit
Getting to know yourself through journaling also comes from brain dumping your thoughts. One of my favorite practices. This is where I use my blank journal.
Get my exact journal here or an everyday journal here.
But I’ve never been great at writing things out without a prompt, so I came up with a few set prompts I like to pick and choose from and work through.
Use them for your brain-dumps too:
- How Am I Feeling This Morning?
- What Are My Goals For The Day?
- Who Do I Want To Be Today?
- How Do I Want To Show Up For Myself & Others Today?
- What Would Make Me The Best Version Of Myself Today?
- What Do I Need To Embrace More Of?
- What Do I Need To Let Go Of?
- What Can I Do For Self-Care Today?
I try to write through at least two (2) prompts.
The Benefits of Daily Journaling
- Self-Discovery
- Stress Reduction
- Wellbeing Boosts
- Encourages Openminded-ness and New Perspective
- Allows Space to Grow & Heal
- Provides a way to Release & Process Emotions
- Goal-Tracking & Progress
- Improves Communication Skills
- Brain-Dumping Allows for Better Sleep
- Memory Improvement
- Mood Improvement & Stability
- Problem-Solving Abilities
- Boosts Creativity
- Allows Growth in Your Inner Voice
- Gets You in Tune with Your Body, Mind, & Soul
- Growth in Mindfulness
I promise that journaling will make such a positive difference in your life. Sometimes the hardest part is just starting.
I hope this post helps inspire you to get your hands on a few journals and to develop a routine that works for you.
Good luck and happy growing!
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