7 Tips for Starting a Daily Journaling Habit

If you're looking for a simple yet effective way to improve your mental health and self-awareness, starting a daily journaling habit could be the answer.

And I am saying that after journaling for more than eight years consistently. My Journal and a pen are the tools that not help me the most in leading a better life and also in creating my dream life.

But how do you make it a habit? I know it's tough to incorporate journaling into daily routine for many but here are 7 tips to help you get started:

1. Start small

Don't overwhelm yourself by committing to writing for an hour each day. Instead, start with just 5-10 minutes and gradually increase as you get more comfortable with the practice. Trust me, even 5-10 minutes each day can do wonders. Even if you take out a minute every day to write your gratitude on the pages, I assure you that you will notice positive changes in your life.

2. Find a time that works for you

Whether you prefer to write in the morning, during your lunch break, or before bed, choose a consistent time to journal each day. Don't force yourself to journal in the morning or at a specific time that everyone advises you to journal on. Choose your own time to journal. This will help you establish a routine and make it easier to stick with.

3. Keep it simple

Your journal doesn't have to be a work of art. Don't be overwhelmed with Instagram's journal community, decorating their journals heavily. That's a personal choice. Be it minimalist, decorative, or a mix of both, just write down whatever comes to mind, whether it's your thoughts, feelings, or daily activities. Don't worry about grammar or spelling, just let your words flow. Be you on the pages.

4. Use prompts

If you're struggling to come up with something to write about, use prompts to get your creative juices flowing. There are plenty of resources online with daily prompts to inspire you. You may check out my Gumroad store as well. 

5. Be consistent

The key to forming a habit is consistency. Try to write every day, even if it's just a few sentences. This will help you build momentum and make it easier to continue the habit over time. Even if you miss a day or two, continue to write from the next. Remember, consistency doesn't mean every day. Just don't give up.

6. Make it enjoyable

Experiment with different styles and formats to find what works for you. You can try writing in bullet points, using stickers or washi tape to decorate your pages, or make it completely simple and write in huge blocks of text. The more enjoyable you make it, the more likely you are to stick with it.

7. Track your progress

Keep a record of your daily entries to see how far you've come. I always mention the date, day, and time at the top of my journal entries. This will not only give you a sense of accomplishment, but it will also help you identify patterns in your thoughts and behaviors. You can always visit your pages and see the person you were then.

Remember, journaling is a personal practice, so don't be afraid to make it your own. With these tips, you can establish a daily journaling habit that can have a positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being.

In other news, I have launched my own journal brand MEETLIFE JOURNALS and you can find them here on Amazon and here on NotionPress (if you are in India)