I have always loved to journal and write. In the past, I would fill up a journal with thoughts and feelings, get embarrassed about it, rip up the pages, and throw them away in terror that someone would find it and read it.

Although I do wish I had those journals to look back and chuckle on. (The things you write about and are embarrassed about at 13 don’t seem to bother you as much at 23), I think writing things down has so many benefits at the moment.

Writing, for me at least, is extremely calming and helps me realize what my mind and body have been trying to tell myself but didn’t know how to put into any spoken or thought words. Writing freely lets me let loose, and I find myself spewing out words that I didn’t know were in me.

Writing things down is a way to make sense of things and to help things manifest in your real life. For instance, if I write down my plan for my blog, it helps me to realize what is true and what can happen.

Here are some things to practice if you don’t know how to start or what to write about.

Contents:

Free Writing:

You write whatever comes out of your keyboard or pen for at least a few minutes without stopping. Some would say not to lift your pen or pencil off the paper. (or hands off the keyboard) You will be surprised at what you thought or needed to say.

Make Lists:

I like to clear my head by making the most random lists in a notebook. I’ll write a title at the top of the page, like “Things I want To Buy For My Apartment”, and then brainstorm. Sometimes something as materialistic as it can lead to more thoughtful writing like the one I wrote below. Excuse my messy handwriting. I’m working on it.

Doodle:

I am more of a words person, but you may not be. Doodling some pictures or even abstract designs is therapeutic as well. You can experiment with different colours and textures.

Buy “Prompt” Journal Books:

I like the “Q&A a Day: 5-Year Journal“. I received this as a Christmas gift from my sister, and I’ve been using it every time I don’t know what to write about but want to write. I’m bad at opening it daily and keeping up with it, but I like to block off 20 minutes to “catch up” with it and fill in 10 questions at once. There are lots of bookstores that will probably sell it overpriced as novelty gifts, but I found it for cheap at this link on Amazon.

Do you guys have anything else you like to do while journaling? Any other prompt books like mine? I’d love to find another good one! You can learn more about this topic here.

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