6 Proven Methods for Getting Started in Journaling

[{"selector":"#anim-cedfae38-1788-4f74-ad3c-1854b2106995","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-78bd4a99-bca9-44e3-a34c-d72924a7795d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -99.3561%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-18b09286-025c-4719-9f2f-10eb4ae18075","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-47685d6b-2c18-41e7-865b-a1e92154bfcc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 249.77418%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Journaling is at the top of many self-care lists, and for good reason. Getting your thoughts out on paper can do wonders for your mental health and help you stay organized.

[{"selector":"#anim-c224c6ce-7e21-4c82-a566-2a4beedf3448","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3e0843c-e19a-4222-877f-2c3f385151e5","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-41deg) translate3d(0px, -128.02073%, 0) rotate(41deg)","rotate(-41deg) translate3d(0px, 0px, 0) rotate(41deg)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bc466f2f-9210-419e-ab97-8e54b6dbeefd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Learning how to journal isn’t always as simple as it seems, though. To get started, you will need to identify your reasons for starting a journal and what you hope to accomplish during your journey.

What is a Bullet Journal?

[{"selector":"#anim-881d3eba-a112-4109-92a5-6937843065c3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6a9979d4-8003-456b-bb99-fbf8ffc1ba33","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.43409%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd63ffd4-267c-45e2-a827-3d0b4bf2f4b3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fd59ab6-c487-4fd3-b087-bb4dc00dc096","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.87342%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6057d08c-8eb4-43ae-bcf2-eb3adb2b3e44","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-013c285d-4f38-46ff-903c-19b0527d8ec0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(99.72603%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A bullet journal is designed to be a cross between your typical journal and a planner. Learn more

How Do I Use a Bullet Journal?

[{"selector":"#anim-fb59c8de-2f19-4113-9442-d86825e17761","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64ffdf27-1f44-4058-a673-0b93b80fcf6b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3ddbe19c-5d9c-4872-a752-6ce027d27744","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ff70b2d6-0352-4d56-8dea-ba72f9d16e31","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.55555%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d6c1c00c-776a-4c81-a225-4ea068e4827c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a3ba0abb-bae8-401f-beb4-7e40d7e9a157","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.3605%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A bullet journal requires some creativity. The first step to creating your perfect bullet journal is to know what you want to get out of it. Learn more

What Should I Write in My Journal?

[{"selector":"#anim-3963b98e-ec8b-4b46-af66-d8a1e91f9c21","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c73c5b0-095b-4275-99c8-ee987d1eed4a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.43409%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1995ba2b-ca1a-4d5f-beb7-978ae877861f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fa1d7de4-9699-4b05-901f-3cd9bf6643dd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e3b8f9c-098f-4959-91d1-b70b992a09c3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-adcacc4a-f3f5-432d-84fb-c82e4d79dc45","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(99.72603%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Here are a few ideas and journaling tips that will help you get started. Learn more

Brain Dump

[{"selector":"#anim-98e95f02-f689-4452-99e6-1e899ea0b368","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1bc9772b-9422-4b8b-af5b-4193b61819b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-433a3fe1-a566-4f86-ba9e-8619f1d39bae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1878884f-0956-4b38-a7bb-cc2e46e130c6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-647aec27-c99c-4218-9bd5-93d34eda572c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b99a6031-933a-40fb-af6a-cd07e48df00a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.30945%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Start with a simple brain dump. Transfer all of the information from your brain into your journal. Learn more

Self-Care

[{"selector":"#anim-3955b499-7789-4cf7-b6d8-a2acc1838345","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e40f34ec-e9fd-4dc7-b0e4-6159d446d12a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.43409%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5ba20fd4-9e6c-4d26-8e73-a541b0bd188b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b73c2058-a10d-4917-b709-4e47a6295aa5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.48388%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60e81efb-6d5a-4d1c-b34f-3b3d5ecf0638","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bdeadc1a-a1b7-4b66-8ad8-2f66246ef2ff","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(99.72603%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] When journaling for self-care, try starting with gratitude. Write down three things you are thankful for. Learn more

Free Writing

[{"selector":"#anim-9c419608-2be4-4095-a87e-57bc43d63511","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-60f4972e-6ea6-444b-98b4-f47807829c5a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-55bca2d0-a4e3-41c2-9502-79329ce8b6d0","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-93a8d665-8c93-4907-bdab-09e1fef88043","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.24104%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":100,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9e397385-298b-481f-a032-e520661abf2e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bbdba629-7018-4536-9405-b71a170aa865","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-118.89251%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] When you are freewriting, don’t worry about grammar, coherent thoughts, or that you are jumping from one topic to another without any transitions. Learn more

SWIPE UP TO READ MORE

[{"selector":"#anim-b732c280-c9d6-45fa-af09-4ee50e3475ea","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-163db87f-6ea4-487b-a184-dc34b98b295d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -228.9598%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":200,"duration":1500,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Swipe Up!