How to Start a Journal
Are you ready to get started with journal writing? Some people write in their journal every day. Others jot down their thoughts every few days or once a week. Once you get going, you'll discover what works for you.
Here are some ways to put your thoughts into words.
If you want to write about a sad or hard experience, try to…
• Create a story with a beginning, middle, and end.
• Keep a "Dear Diary" journal. Write in your journal as if you were writing to a loving, accepting friend. Share the issues that are troubling you and write about the things and people from the past that you miss.
• Start a "problem-solution" journal. Draw a line from top to bottom down the middle of the page. Write a list of your problems and worries on one side. On the other side, jot down possible solutions to these concerns.
If you want to write about the good things in your life…
• Keep a logbook. List everything that is going well in your life. Start a page to record all of the things that you are looking forward to.
• Start a memory book. Think back over your life and jot down some of your best memories.
• Try a gratitude book. Record positive thoughts, things that you are thankful for, or things that make you happy. You may find that the more upbeat things you write about, the more optimistic you will be!
No matter what you're writing about:
• Keep it informal! Don't worry about punctuation, spelling, or grammar. Just let your ideas flow.
• Don't worry about keeping your writing tidy, perfect sentence structure, or proper paragraphs. No English teachers will be checking your work!
Next: Tips for Journal Writing
