As a big advocate of journaling, I’m always telling people about all the benefits journaling can create in your life.
Through consistent journaling every day over the last 2 years, I’ve developed so much understanding about myself, found clarity in my life, and witnessed myself growing (and crying) into a newer version of myself.
I really wouldn’t have been where I am today if it wasn’t for journaling. It is literally my own personal therapist/ life coach/ cheerleader.
Whether you just started journaling, or have started but are looking for more ideas/ inspiration, here are 7 awesome ways to fill your pages.
7 Ways to Journal
1. MORNING PAGES
Writing morning pages is writing out streams of consciousness of just whatever comes up at the moment on your mind. It doesn’t have to make sense, doesn’t need to be grammatically correct, you just need to pour out all of your thoughts onto paper in the morning. I am obsessed with writing at least one page every morning when I wake up. It helps to clear up my mind, and allow me to set the right intention to begin the day.
> Related: Easy morning routines to start your day
2. GRATITUDE JOURNAL
Every night, I list out in my gratitude journal 3 things I am grateful for that day. Especially when I had a rough day, it’s even more important that I still list out the simple things that brought me joy. You can also choose to write out paragraphs of what you’re grateful for if you’d like, I just prefer to keep it nice and simple to end the day.
3. LESSONS LEARNED
Whenever I encounter an incident or situation that requires me to reflect, I’d always take out my journal and write out my thoughts and try to dissect the situation to figure out the root of the problem. I keep a journal for all my “lessons learned” so I can look back at them and make sure I don’t make the same mistakes again.
> Related: How to be more mindful
4. SELF DISCOVERY
Use your journal as a tool to dive deep and understand yourself more. Here are 5 questions to start your self discovery exercise:
-
Who do I look up to? What makes them as admirable?
-
What makes me come alive? What do I enjoy doing?
-
What are my strengths and weaknesses?
-
What is going right right now in my life?
-
What is the one thing I need to do right now to dramatically up-level my life?
I created free writing prompts with guided questions for self discovery. Grab the copy here:
5. WEEKLY REFLECTION
Often times, throughout the year we tend to lose track in a certain area of our lives. Maybe we spent so much time socializing with friends and co-workers that we didn’t spend enough time with our family. Maybe we sacrificed our health for work. Maybe we lost our connection with faith. All of these can happen when we do not stay consistent and lose our clarity. Which is why it’s very important to consistently check in with yourself.
Every Sunday, I would do a weekly check-in with myself in my journal. I will rate 6 different categories in my life (fitness/health, spirituality, relationships, environment, self care, career) and the 3 C’s in my journey (clarity, courage, consistency). I will rate each out of 10 and give myself an average score for the week.
It’s a simple check in. But it’s powerful if you do it every week so you’ll have the self awareness and not go off course too much.
6. LIFE VISION EXERCISE
This is an exercise where you write out your dream life, in every detail possible. What does a day in your ideal life look like? Who do you wake up next to? What does your bedroom look like? What do you have for breakfast? What does your schedule look like for the day? How do you feel? Where do you live? Write in present tenses, be as detailed as possible, as if you are living that dream life right now.
I always feel so pumped and so ready to tackle the world every time I finish writing a life vision for myself. It’s a great exercise to build clarity and remind myself again what is it and I’m aiming for in my life.
Related Posts:
-
5 steps to envision your ideal life
-
How to create a vision board that works
-
How to set intentions and live more intentionally
7. A LETTER TO MYSELF
What would my future self in 10 years say to me right now? What would he/she tell me to do right now? Write it out as if you are living in the future and addressing to yourself at this current moment. It’s a very empowering one!
I hope you enjoyed these ideas to help fill up your journal pages! You can download some guided writing prompts here to get you started on your journaling journey.
One important lesson I learned through journaling is that you really have the power to change yourself. You don’t need to rely on other people for your own joy and fulfillment. You, right now at this moment, have full control of your life.
Cheers,
Have you also been journaling? What do you usually journal about?
Shirley Huang is a Certified Life Coach, Podcast Host, and online educator. She provides weekly resources to help people become leaders in their life, while loving themselves and having fun a long the way. Check out her Life Coaching Programs here.