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Writer's pictureLaura Sollis

How to Create a Journal that works for you.

Updated: Jun 21, 2020



In recent years writing a journal has become popular and so many people are feeling the benefits of doing it.

But what if you don’t know where to start?

Perhaps you have tried it and gave up because you didn’t feel you had the time to dedicate to it or you just hated the thought of writing.

Well here's the good news, you don’t have to spend that much time doing it!

When I was a teenager I would faithfully write in my diary every night before bed, I wasn't writing anything groundbreaking or exploring myself for answers, generally, it tended to be a round-up of my day and if I felt angry, upset or even happy then I would write a small sentence on it. Back then I wasn't looking to get to know myself better or looking for answers, I just wanted to remember certain things and vent. Despite the fact I wasn't looking for anything I realize now I got a lot back. So you see you don’t have to dedicate an hour a day or write pages and pages of information to be able to benefit from doing it.

So how do I start! I hear you say

Once you have chosen a book that you feel comfortable with, you are ready to get started!


Do as much or as little as you feel comfortable with If you have committed to spending an unrealistic amount of time on it each and every day then this may start feeling like a chore, even if you just write bullet points about things that have stood out for you then that's all you need to do. Just keep it simple.


The idea of writing fills me with dread! Then don't! If you feel you want to be more creative you can sketch, draw, paint, or even create a scrapbook-style journal. This is for you to express yourself however you want to.


Go easy on yourself Don't judge what you are writing to much, It's so easy to look at what we are writing and tell ourselves it sounds silly or rubbish and want to scribble it out. Whatever you have written is for you to explore, unless you choose to show it to someone else no one is going to see it! If you do write something that you have a strong reaction to it may be worth considering what's happening for you to feel this way.


Don't forget the positives Whilst journals are great for venting about the person that pushed in front of you in the queue, don't forget to explore positive things that you have experienced, perhaps someone told you that they like your bright T-shirt, perhaps the next time you have a bad day that T-shirt may brighten your mood.


Inspiration Journals are great places to record things that inspire us. Seen a great quote on Facebook? write it down, heard a song that you connected with? keep a note. Perhaps something you have recorded will inspire you when you need it the most.

Notes Sometimes it may help to take a note of something during the day, however, I can certainly understand why you wouldn't want to carry the journal around with you or perhaps you do and that's fine but if you'd rather not mobile phones can be great to take notes. Jot a few notes down with an app, and when it comes to reflecting in your journal, you will have something to jog your memory.

Writing a journal can be rewarding in so many ways and the most important tip I can give anyone is, enjoy it!


So grab yourself a book, pen, and a cuppa, snuggle down and let's get writing!


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