There are many different options for journaling, such as pen, paper, and online journaling. You can also use other mediums for journaling, such as a notebook, computer, or phone. You can use apps that let you use your phone to journal too. The choice is yours. Of course, the right answer is the option you will use regularly.
If you want to start journaling, but don’t know where to begin, here are some tips:
Decide the type of journaling you want to do.
Do you want to write about your day or track your thoughts and feelings? Choose what feels suitable for you because there is no one right answer. The type of journaling you choose may inform the medium you pick too.
Choose a medium that you’re comfortable with.
If you prefer not to write, you can try using an app on your phone or even dictating your journal entries into a voice recorder.
Here are a few options for journaling you can consider:
- Pen and paper: This is the most classic journaling method and offers flexibility. You can use any paper you want, from lined to blank, and any pen or pencil you prefer. You can also decorate your pages however you like, with stickers, washi tape, or drawings.
- Digital: Similar to the classic journaling method, here you can type your thoughts into an online journal or write them in by hand with a digital pen. You can still decorate your pages with digital stickers.
- Painting: Journaling with paint can be an enjoyable and creative way to express yourself. You can use any painting style that you want – from watercolours to acrylics – and you can even mix mediums and add collages or drawings to your pages.
- Drawing: If you’re more of a visual person, journaling with drawings might be the perfect way to express yourself. You can use any drawing medium, from pencils to markers to paints. You can also add words to your drawings if you want or keep them completely wordless.
Don’t try to use a method you will not like or use regularly. If a paper notebook or a voice recorder by your bed works best for you, do that. Don’t put roadblocks in your way.
Set aside the time each day to journal.
Whether it’s 5 minutes or half an hour, find a time that works for you and stick to it. Choose a time that you always have available to devote to journaling. You really only need five minutes to write your thoughts down for the day.
Be patient with yourself.
Don’t expect perfect results from your journaling practice. The point is to get started and simply see where it takes you. Set a goal to do it for 30 days in a row so that you can judge how well it works for you.
Whether you use pen and paper, journaling apps, or choose an art option – or anything else – to capture your thoughts doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you use an option for journaling that works for your needs.