Simple Journaling for Beginners

Have you found yourself overwhelmed with the idea of how to start journaling? The idea of taking inventory of your own day to day experiences seems nice, but the process of staying consistent seems out of reach? How do you begin the process of journaling more consistently, when you are not naturally drawn to writing as a form of reflection or processing? Great question.

As a therapist, I too struggle with finding the discipline or desire to journal. Even though research has shown extensive positive effects for those who process their internal world through writing. So for those of us who have yet to find success in journaling, starting simple and with prompts is an incredible way to begin.

Journaling creates increased personal understanding, transparency, narrative expression of thoughts, tracks progress, and helps identify patterns or triggers we experience over time.

Utilize the BIG model. Believe. Intention. Gratitude. This creates a structured daily prompt, that documents the daily change within day to day experiences with the external and internal worlds.

B: What do I BELIEVE about the world around me today?

I: What is my INTENTION for today? How would I like to feel physically and emotionally as I move through the day?

G: Identify 3 points of GRATITUDE for the day. What has contributed to my appreciation or created value in my life today?

Journaling does not have to be complicated. Many of us just need a consistent space of privacy and transparency where we can look to explore parts of ourselves that sometimes get overlooked. This can be a conscious practice at the start of a day, end of a day, or even during a lunch break. Self-reflection can be a powerful tool for creating greater personal understanding and identifying actionable steps for achieving goals or desired outcomes.

For additional support and to speak with a therapist directly, reach out today. Contact Us