Tips For Becoming A Journalist

How to Start Journaling

1. Choose a nice journal.

It's just like buying cute workout clothes to motivate you to exercise, or how you might use colorful pens to create your science notes to motivate your future self to study. Choose a journal that makes you happy to look at. A journal that makes you want to come back to it and write in it!

2. Find a relaxing place to journal.

Sometimes, it won't matter where you are. Your words will come flowing out because you so desperately need to share them. But why not find a nice place to sit? I like to sit at my desk or on the couch in a bundle of blankets. 

3. Only write when you want to.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to journal every day, only to stop after a few entries and come back to it months later with the beginning sentence declaring, "Wow! It's been awhile, but I promise that this time I'll journal consistently." It's a lie. Don't force yourself to write. Don't write on a set schedule. Take the pressure off and simply write when you need to. For me, the whole point of journaling is relieve myself of stress. Why make journaling stressful by forcing yourself to make it a daily activity?

Tips, tips, and more tips!

-Write the date for every entry. Keep track of your thoughts.

-Keep your journal in a safe place.

-Decorate your journal in your own way.

-Add a fun "Dear Diary" greeting.

My personal favorite:

-Add drawings to go along with your stories.

What are you supposed to write in journal?

You aren't "supposed" to write anything! You can write anything you want. I like to write about my day, anything I'm looking forward to, or anything I'm nervous about. A journal is also a great place to track your dreams and write about things you appreciate in your life. At the end of every entry, I like to write three things I'm grateful for.

Try out journaling! It's not for everyone but if you don't try, you'll never know.

Thanks for visiting!