How to START JOURNALING in 2024!

[@jmsl_910]

pro tip: leave the first few pages of your notebook or journal blank. idk, but it makes it easier to start! the pressure of staring at a big blank notebook can be overwhelming (to me)

[@juliadastra]

this is a great tip, thank you Julie!!

[@Lilith23]

I always do this and find it super helpful! And don't worry about wasting pages because something will come to you later on whether you make a collage, cover it with stickers or quotes etc

[@jeansmith3367]

I LOVE journals, I have a lot of them, some are very expensive (from self help coaches), from Amazon, from Home and Bargain, from family, from friends, pre set ones (already set out with questions/thoughts/how was your day) or beautiful, plain notebooks- I love them all. However, I NEVER write in them. I do mean to start, but my biggest fear is if other people read them, to me it is my own private thoughts. Just seems to be something I can't overcome. Funny really, because I used to keep a diary when I was a teenager, wrote EVERYTHING in it!

[@juliadastra]

Oh interesting!! I understand this but I guess it's never held me back because I think if anyone else does read it: 1) I don't care because I wrote what I wrote in the moment to get it out. I may not feel that way still. It's a moment in time 2) I expect that people actually won't read it because they'll respect my privacy 3) even if someone DOES pick up one of my notebooks, I am not imagining them reading the whole thing, I think it would get boring for anyone other than me very quickly haha!

[@julyarteries]

I’m 14 n I have been journaling consistently for a year and daily for almost 4 months now. Here are my tips I have figured out tru 11 journals I have filled (I’m on my 12th now) --.- - [ ] THE MOST IMPORTANT:DONT JOURNAL ABOUT EVERYTHING. Before I got to my 11th journal I felt a pressure to update my journal MILLION TIMES A DAY (I was basically living in my journal lol). I felt like if I don’t write about what I had for lunch,my journaling session would be incomplete,but in reality,when I go back to my old journals,these types of entries are the most Boring. - [ ] If you are an emotional person and everything you do seems so significant,then try answering the same prompts every day to help you focus on what’s really impacted you during the day. For example,evening daily prompts can be: *1-How did i feel today? 2-What went well today?what did not go well. 3-describe yourself today with one word/sentence 4-what is one moment from today that you don’t wanna forget?5-what were one thing that made you smile/made today a bit better?6-I hope tomorrow will be…7- write 3 affirmations 8- three things that I’m grateful for today..* - [ ] Use a question “what went well today” as another way to ask yourself “what made me feel that way?” - [ ] You don’t have to write paragraphs if you answer “what went well today?” By writing about your day. It can literally look like bulleted list. Same with gratitude/affirmations - [ ] If you are constantly feeling an urge to update your journal millions times per day,think about changing the way you journal. I felt that way,when I was doing morning pages. If you just rant,try daily prompts or different prompts for a month to just try something new. Btw,I recommend searching for prompts on TikTok instead of Pinterest/KZbin,you can find different,fascinating n non repetitive ones on TikTok. - [ ] Throw all the cringe out of your head. You don’t have to start your entry by “Dear Diary,he looked at me and I felt like he doesn’t love me enough” (I had that type of journaling when I was 10-11 lmaooooo). You don’t have to buy a journal on a lock and draw silly pictures w old pencil. You don’t have to😂 - [ ] You don’t have to art journal. There are a lot of KZbinrs who use all these Japanese washi tapes,stickers,postcards. But let’s be honest: they cost like a kidney ,and normal person doesn’t have enough time to make beautiful collages every day.+ in these videos they are sticking a lot of st,but neglecting the most important part of journaling-writing. - [ ] Make it clear. When I first decided to start every day journaling I was like “I’m gonna journal every day in the morning” . That’s why I failed. Make it clear. Write for example “I’m gonna write every morning at 5am before work for /…/minutes.” - [ ] Figure your “why”. Why do you want to journal? Why do you want to journal every day ? Has anyone inspired you? You want to journal for mental health? You want to journal to care about yourself? - [ ] Get inspired by other creators,but don’t copy them. That KZbinr you love has their life,values,problems. No journal can look the same because everyone is unique. - [ ] Go crazy. If you journal by just writing paragraphs of text,you may get into a journaling slump. Plan out your day/routine,write your study list of homework,glue pictures (you can use old school notebook covers if you don’t have a printer), track your habits,draw mind maps,jot down your ideas. Use your journal for literally everything (I even use my journal as a draft for Math test when we have an online test but don’t have a piece of paper near me lol ). Doodle,write a little notes if you don’t want to write details about something. It’s your space of freedom,use it. - [ ] If you love journaling,but put it off till the very last minute,try setting yourself a timer for 10 minutes. You will eventually keep writing when you already started. - [ ] Find a comfortable location,which will be associated with rest rather than work (that’s why I don’t really like writing on my desk,it has that “study vibe”’. I find journaling on my bed the best. - [ ] Write about documentaries,movies,songs,albums,that impress you. - [ ] Use your journal as a helping tool. I’m a recovering anorexic+binge eating disorder (proud to say,I’m *170* day free today,Feb 12/2024) ,I also struggle with depression,anxiety and CPTSD.Use your journal to work on your destructive thoughts/urges to relapse,track your progress,recovery and feelings. - [ ] Deadline. Set the time for yourself,after passing that you will have to journal on the next day. For instance “I can journal at 5am every morning,but if I oversleep,I can do it till 10 am ,and if I don’t do that till 10 am ,I can journal journal during my Lunch break ,but if I don’t do even that, I’ll have to journal on the next day” type of stuff - [ ] Stationary. Trust me, you don’t need all these fancy stickers and washi tapes for 100$ at first. A few highlighters,pen,a journal,and a pack of sticky notes for bulleted lists is enough. - [ ] Sticky notes. If you notice,that you’re overwhelmed with topics,write a bulleted list of topics you want to write about,so you won’t miss anything. - [ ] Pair journaling. Create an association between new habit (journaling) and something you got used to doing. Drink tea while journaling,journal after taking a shower etc. - [ ] It’s okay to miss a day, don’t beat yourself up about it,but don’t allow to miss 2 days. - [ ] If you’re a busy person n you are concerned that you will not be home really often,carry your journal with yourself - [ ] Don’t say you don’t have time,because I’ll show you your screen time 💀🤣. Journaling isn’t about having time it’s about MAKING time. - [ ] Use journaling as a resting reward after studying/work or as a way to start your day - [] Journaling buddy. Find a journaling buddy. 😉 - [ ] Set your minimum. Create a small rule,let us say “I have to fill at least one page a day”. If you fill at least a page (or any other amount of pages you want to fill) a day-great,you have journaled! - [ ] Find community. There are a lot of channels about journaling just as : Carrie Walker youtube.com/@CarrieWalker?si=HT4-Ep2yIVvVBalk Overall Adventures youtube.com/@OverallAdventures?si=sDIXXW6Mv8qjeYpA and many others,which can get you into daily journaling! - [ ] Choose favorite videos. I personally have 3 videos about journaling I have watched multiple times,but they are so comforting that I’m coming back to them every time I need some inspiration an comfort to start my daily entry. - [ ] A6 size journal. When journal is small,it’s easier to fill your daily minimum without feeling like a chore. - [ ] Journals. Try different journals. If you want to buy Moleskin-Go for it! But choose these journals,you know you won’t end up fearing writing in it because “it’s so pretty”😁✨ - [ ] Start with small.First (…) weeks write 15 minutes every day,then find your comfort daily time. - [ ] Be realistic. Can you actually write 6 pages a day while having a daily busy. schedule? Make journaling a rest,not one more task in your to-do list. - [ ] Time of the day. Find your comfort time: morning/afternoon/evening. But pay attention to be sure that no popping stuff will distract you from journaling. - [ ] Figure all “what ifs”. If you decided to journal in the evening,ask yourself : «What I have guests/will have to wash dishes/ will have to go somewhere in the evening? How and when can I journal in this case?” - [ ] Get an alarm as a reminder : For example if you journal in the morning,set an alarm on (5am of example) saying “JOURNALING” and then set the Timer for (…) minutes and journal till the timer will be off. - [ ] Take all of your pressure and break the expectations. Journaling is a form of self care,I shouldn’t feel like a chore or a task in your to-do you GOTTA COMPLETE❤️ Idk it it was helpful.Take care,love you all. I’m proud of you and here for you if you guys want to vent (you can even use this comment section✨)

[@TinnaClauson-v7s]

I like to also watch journaling videos and there are so many different KZbinrs that talk about journaling out there try to check out all of them and decide what are your favorite videos of all of them. One of my favorite KZbinrs is also Carrie Walker. In some of Carrie Walker's videos she talks about adding different things that you can keep so you can't remember things like for instance you can put your favorite holiday cards and favorite birthday cards that you like to keep as memories and also there are other things that you can keep as memories also. One thing that you can do is to put color into your journals but you don't have to make like an art journal to have color in your journals play to think it's a good idea to have some color in all your journals to make it look more fun but you don't necessarily I need to be the best drawer in the world because I think it's all about just having fun with colors. I think it's a good idea to also write about what you have learned that day so that you won't forget about it. I like Carrie Walker's idea about adding the date do Oliver journal entries so that way you won't forget when you have learned something new and what it was that you have learned. I think that put in the dates on your journal entries so you can remember when the fun events in your life had happened so that way you won't forget about them. I suggest that you and everyone check out all the videos where people have talked about journaling and writing and notebooks so that way you have some ideas on what to do with journals and notebooks so that way you can always come back and look at on your memories.

[@orangetulip1261]

@julyarteries, Thank you so very much for the helpful tips. I've made quite a few notes, as I'm starting my first Journaling later. I also cannot believe that this came from a 14 y/o - you write so well... to say I'm impressed, is an understatement! 🏆💞💜

[@rooftopkorean6995]

I never could stick to Journaling because I end up cringing at my writing. I'm gonna give it another shot, we'll see how far it goes.

[@flute6323]

I used to be this way too. But I literally journal as if im discussing things with myself. It helps so much to make decisions and get out thoughts that keep coming up. And if I ever write something I absolutely don't want to look back on, I block it out with a marker, paint, or stickers.

[@juliadastra]

Yes I do that too - scribble it out and block it out!! The point is the process of it, the writing of it. So if afterwards I feel embarrassed or sad or I cringe at what I've written, it doesn't matter! The helpful part was writing it all out, so I can then scribble it out after if it's making me feel bad. I also like to type things out sometimes, e.g. if I'm dealing with a particular problem/situation, I'll type out in Word or a blank doc a list of bullet points of everything I'm feeling. That way my thoughts can move quicker because I can type quicker than I can write freehand. After typing it all out, I just delete the document. Or I'll save it and then delete it in a week!

[@randombibliophile3686]

The key is to not look back at what you just wrote. Just brain dump and forget about it.

[@julesm9081]

I love this video, just watching again. Great tips here!

[@juliadastra]

Thank you Jules! Happy to hear this, hope it helps you🙏💌

[@julesm9081]

@@juliadastra 💜💜💜🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 thank you so much xx

[@Ghost19202]

One of my managers at work has given me a journal today I'm not sure where to start this video is really helpful thank you

[@juliadastra]

im so glad this helped you!! :)

[@MiroslavTuma-f6d]

Another tip is to, instead of buying an expensive journal with questions, to just buy a blank notebook and write down the questions yourself. Is silly but very good, prompts to help me reflect on my life help me out a lot, but I don't have the cash to spend on a "gratitude journal". Very good video! 😄

[@juliadastra]

100%! This is very important. I mention it at 03:27😊

[@julesm9081]

Also look at you almost at 1000 subs !!!! You can do it! You will achieve that and way beyond I just know it xx

[@juliadastra]

🧡🧡🙏🙏

[@kamalani808]

I can’t stick with journaling for long because I notice that I zero in on negative things and ideas, which really doesn’t reflect my happy life. But if it works for you, then I am pleased for you❤️

[@juliadastra]

🧡This is a good point - I find sometimes I can do that too, focusing on the negative, but I've found a structure that works for me and lets me see the balance of good and bad in the day!

[@mayneric]

Try to only do gratitude journaling or do the G.L.A.D. Method of journaling.

[@Wachera]

@@maynericwhat is GLAD method? Never heard it before

[@mayneric]

@@Wachera you can find more online I’m sure but, the basic idea is to write something you are G-grateful for L-learned A-accomplished D-delighted you

[@julesm9081]

💜💜💜💜💜 I’ll be back later today to watch this in full, thank you so much, just about to have dinner … but commenting now in the hope it helps with reach! Xx

[@juliadastra]

oh thank you for your support jules!!!🧡

[@julesm9081]

It’s a pleasure xx

[@julesm9081]

Your room so tidy!

[@juliadastra]

that was one of my new year's goals and it's actually going well so far!

[@julesm9081]

@@juliadastra 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

[@julesm9081]

Also is there a “unwrap your journal with me” section in this?

[@juliadastra]

haha I nearly included that but the footage is so grainy - there is a journal unwrapping in my "romanticize your life by focusing on the little things" video!!

[@julesm9081]

I’m back - watching this in full now 💜💜💜

[@juliadastra]

What is holding you back from starting journaling?🧡

[@julesm9081]

I’ve journaled daily since my birthday in June but I have a question- past few days I feel like I’ve rushed me entries a bit ( still neat ish writing ) I feel like I get more from it when I can go slower - how can I make journaling more of a slowed down thing? I think I’m in the habit of it now but need to tweak it a little. Talking about my daily journal here ^ The special journal i told you about however , I’ll never rush writing in that.

[@juliadastra]

well done jules that's such a good streak! i'm so happy to hear it. i do know what you mean about rushing it sometimes, like going through the motions as opposed to giving space to think and properly reflect. what helps me is to have a routine of always journaling at the same time, so i know i always have 10/15 minutes where i can journal and it doesn't have to be rushed. but also i think you can go in phases with it. sometimes you'll have lots to write, and other time if it's getting repetitive and/or feeling rushed you can take a break/try different writing prompts. there's no right or wrong is basically what i'm trying to say. it's good that you're reflecting on the experience and trying to get the most out of it! hopefully some of what i say here helps :)

[@elzapasztor6559]

Greetings from a small village of Hungary! 🏡🌸🌷🪻🌻✨😃

[@juliadastra]

Oh very cool, hellooooo! :) 🧡🙏✨

[@elzapasztor6559]

@@juliadastra 🇭🇺🇭🇺🇭🇺🎶🎵🎶🎵🌼🌸🌼🌸

[@juliadastra]

🇬🇧💌🧡💌🇭🇺

[@TinnaClauson-v7s]

I have a question for everybody who all goes to thrift stores like St Vincent de Paul or Goodwill? Did you know that people give away writing stuff like cool writing paper to write on or journals that are partially used or sometimes even journals that are really not used with all blank pages and people also donate pens and other writing paper and notebooks and journals? So what do you guys think about using journals and notebooks and other line paper and other writing material from a thrift store? It's not that expensive so that's one way to save money and save the writing stuff from going to the dump because I know that dumpst are starting to run out of room so I guess it's a way of like recycling if you think about it that way. The thing is if you get journals and notebooks from thrift stores you should at least take out the pages that are used and recycle those so that way you could fill it up with all your own things. It is fine going to thrift stores and hunting for writing things and sometimes you may find some other cool things to that you want to buy and thrift stores also have other things that you might like to add to a journal too. I love going to thrift stores and hunting for journaling things are things that are just writing related also if you check out the book section you may find some different books on different types of journals that you can use and these ones are like guided journals in a way so they give you ideas on what to do in those books and it's fun. So I would like to know how many people would use writing material from a thrift store? I don't see nothing wrong with using things that you find in a thrift store have fun craft things to do. Have fun searching for your writing things at thrift stores because when I go I have fun finding different items for writing and I see nothing wrong with it. What do you guys all think about getting writing materials and any kind of crafts items at a thrift store? Going to thrift stores what's saving money and you'll have fun hunting for those things. I really recommend that a lot of people do this to save the planet and so we don't have so much waste in the landfills. Also I think it's a good way of recycling if more people could look at it like that it's perfect for everyone. I suggest that people do a lot more shopping at thrift stores to find things to use for crafts are no books and journals. The Hunt is fun in a thrift store for all these different things.

[@juliadastra]

Yeah I don't see why not! I've donated unused notebooks to the charity shop before. If I'm not using something, it's great if someone else can use it and it can fulfil its purpose. As you say I also like hunting through to find the best items hehe

[@julesm9081]

Hello erm you know I said I would start? Well I actually started the other day on June 25 and I have journaled for 5 days - every day since so far lol I know 5 days is nothing, but you know, small wins to get to this point I actually had to unwrap the journal first! lol 😂 xxxx

[@juliadastra]

hey jules well done! that's a brilliant foundation. you know i'm alll about the little things - 5 days is a huge accomplishment well done! i hope you are finding it to be helpful :)

[@julesm9081]

@@juliadastra thank you I think it’s a bit early to say however i do quite enjoy sitting and writing in it, however not sure what I’ve actually written is that helpful yet, but working on it! And thank you for being one of the people who inspired me to start! It’s 7 days Tomo so I am gonna recognise that by allowing myself to open and start using the pack of gelly roll pens I got ( on special offer a big saving) for the exact purpose of daily journaling in my everyday journal. I got them something like the middle of last year lol and it was even way before that that I wanted to start journaling! I am loving your insta content too! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 You’re amazing 💜💜💜

[@juliadastra]

i think the fact that you enjoy the process is the main part! sometimes what i write is helpful to come back to, but other times it's just a moment in time and the important part was just writing down how i was feeling. the helpful part comes in the writing/letting go/processing!! which is also why it's sometimes great to write something out then immediately delete it/rip it up/throw it away - writing it out was the cathartic part, it doesn't have to exist otherwise. i like to do this if i've written something really angry lol = it is only a moment in time, and writing helped me get out my feelings, and afterwards i don't need to keep that angry bit of writing. yay i am excited for you to try your new pens!! what a good idea :) and thank you! i'm enjoying making lots of reels hehe

[@julesm9081]

Done everyday since so far now on page 60 ish!!! 😲

[@juliadastra]

@@julesm9081 that's amazing well done jules!!:)

[@jmsl_910]

hmm. weird-- i left a comment earlier today... it's gone oh well great job preaching the gospel of journaling

[@juliadastra]

oh strange, I didn't see it! And it's not in the "held for review" section because sometimes comments get lost in there (eg if they include a link or a hashtag or certain words). But thank you :)

[@marciaodonnell3962]

I tend to overthink all things. Print or cursive? What Type/color of journal. College or wide rule? 🤦‍♀️

[@juliadastra]

I know what you mean! For me thoughts like that stem from perfectionism. Once I realised I didn't need to be perfect and I didn't need to take it so seriously, I was able to just START and focus on the writing. I can get caught up in other things (like "oh no my handwriting here is soo messy") but I'm able to zoom out from those thoughts, because I know that getting my thoughts out on paper is what will help me. The other stuff I can work on along the way. Like I can notice "oh, my next notebook needs to be more thinly lined", but in the meantime, I make it work!

[@julesm9081]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@juliadastra]

🙏🙏🙏

[@julesm9081]

Lol wow! You’re actually waiting for me to do this now lol lol ok erm...

[@juliadastra]

yep!!! :)

[@julesm9081]

💜💜💜💜

[@juliadastra]

🧡🧡🧡

[@julesm9081]

👀

[@juliadastra]

hehe