How to Journal Consistently

If you enjoy journalling but find it challenging to establish a consistent routine, you are not alone. Life can often get in the way of carrying out even our best intentions. Fortunately, with a little planning and strategy you can get back on track in no time and journal consistently again.

If you struggle to journal consistently, here are a few ideas to consider:

Use Journal Prompts

If you have a plan for your journalling time, you won’t have to wait for inspiration to strike every time you sit down to write. Pre-written journal prompts are one way to accomplish this because they provide a good jumping off point to get you started.

Here are a few examples of prompts you can use:

• What am I grateful for today?

• Who did I show kindness to yesterday?

• What did I learn today?

• How am I feeling?

• What’s one thing I want to do now?

Make It Fun

When something is easy and fun, you’re more likely to want to do it. This is just basic human nature.

Where it gets tricky is that “fun” means something different to everyone. So, you’ll have to decide what works best for you. Perhaps you enjoy quiet, uninterrupted mornings in your favourite chair with hot cup of coffee or tea. Or maybe you prefer to unwind in the evening by putting on comfy pajamas and climbing into a nice, warm bed before reviewing your day and identifying what you’re looking forward to tomorrow.

Don’t be afraid to try different things to find what works best for you. For example, if you enjoy listening to music when you’re working on a project, you might find it inspiring to listen while you journal. Experiment with different kinds of music until you find the one that makes journalling easiest for you.

There are no right or wrong answers here. Simply find the scenario that works best for you and make room for it in your daily routine.

Find a Special Spot

Finding a location where you feel comfortable and inspired to write is another great way to journal consistently. You could select a favourite spot in your home, such as a bright and cheerful sunroom, cozy breakfast nook, or even your warm, comfortable bed.

If you prefer to get out of the house to clear your mind or be around other people, choose your favourite local coffee shop, bookshop, park, or other location instead. To make these outings easier, have your favourite journal and supplies, such as a nice pen, markers, or coloured pencils, assembled and ready to go in advance.

Again, there are no right or wrong answers. It’s all about finding an environment that appeals to you.

Add It to Your Schedule

Finally, scheduling time to journal will make it part of your normal routine. Pull out your schedule and block off dedicated time each day (or whatever frequency works for you) specifically for this activity – and then stick to it. It doesn’t need to be any more complicated than that.  

Journalling might not feel natural at first, but don’t give up on it too fast. Instead, try some of the tips above and pay attention to what works best for you.

New to journalling or looking for tips? Check out these other ideas.

• Harnessing the Power of a Goal Journal for Mental Health Improvement
• Picking the Perfect Journal for You
• How to Journal Consistently
• Which Journal Style Is Right for You?
• Common Types of Journals