How To Start A Journal For Beginners & 25 Random Journal Prompts To Get You Started

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The ultimate guide on how to start a journal for beginners! This post has everything you need to know about journaling including journaling tips and 25 random journal prompts to get you started.

I love journaling. At the time of writing this, I’m almost out of pages in my current journal… queue the fresh brand-new journal! Which I’m kind of looking forward to. Anyone else just love getting new stationary?

I have put together this guide on how to start a journal which includes practical and helpful tips alongside 25 fun writing prompts to get you started on your journaling journey.

But first things first…

What exactly is journaling?

Journaling is the act of writing in a journal or diary and there are many different ways to journal.

Here are some examples of different journaling styles:

A thought-dump type of journaling – where you write out your thoughts and feelings, write about your day and let your writing flow allowing space for whatever comes to mind, like a typical diary.

Gratitude journaling – which involves regularly recording the things you are grateful for and/or using specific journal prompts for gratitude.

Manifestation journaling – using your journal for written manifestation techniques such as scripting which involves writing out your desires as if they are happening in the present moment.

Shadow work journaling – using a journal as a tool for shadow work where you uncover repressed or unconscious aspects of yourself and begin to understand, heal and integrate these things to bring forth self-awareness and help you to better yourself.

A journal can serve one specific purpose, such as only being used as a gratitude journal, or it can have multiple purposes. You can keep multiple journals, such as one for diary entries and one for shadow work prompts. A lot of people arrange their journals into sections, too!

All in all, It is down to whatever suits your needs and preferences.

In my own experiences with journaling, I’ve tried having designated journals for different things and then I switched to having one single journal for all my fave uses and *loved* it so much more.

Benefits of journaling

Journaling is a transformational tool for self-growth and healing, and it makes the perfect hobby and self-care ritual.

The benefits of journaling include:

Improved mindset and builds confidence
Stress relieving and is a healthy outlet
Improves mental health
A hobby that benefits your wellbeing
Assists in understanding and working through feelings
Helps you work towards your goals and achieve them
Increases self-love and is a form of self-care
Encourages creativity and self-expression
A tool for self-discovery
Assists you in being present with your feelings
A tool for manifestation

How to start a journal for beginners

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1. Get clear on your intentions with journaling

First things first, ask yourself some questions and make some intentions regarding journaling.

Here are some prompts to help you:

Is there a specific type of journaling you feel would be beneficial to you right now?
Do you want to experiment with a few different styles of journaling or perhaps see how things unfold?
Is there an area you’d like to work on when it comes to self-development?
Is there anything you hope to get out of journaling as a practice?

2. Pick a journal

Now that you’re clearer on your intentions, it’s time to pick out a journal!

There are many kinds of journals to choose from – different colours and patterns, hardbacks, paperbacks, leather notebooks, blank pages and even journals with exercises printed inside.

You don’t need to spend a lot of money either. A pen and a simple notebook or paper that you already have at home are all you need to start journaling.

Choose something that feels special to you and suits your purpose. It’s worth noting to pick out a journal that you’ll feel motivated to write in regularly. Which brings me to our third step.

3. Decide how often you intend to journal

Do you want to make journaling a daily self-care practice?

Something you do at the start of a week or perhaps turning it into an end-of-week unwinding ritual?

Would you prefer to journal at the start of your day or add it to your night routine?

There are many ways to incorporate journaling into your schedule! Decide how often you wish to journal and start building the habit of sitting down with your journal or paper.

If you find yourself on the busier side, even committing to 5 minutes a day can drastically benefit you.

6 Journaling tips for beginners

1. Use prompts

Unsure what to write about? Use journal prompts!

Prompts are a fabulous tool to have when it comes to journaling.

Sometimes, it can be hard to get your thoughts onto paper or your mind goes blank.

Perhaps there is something particular you’d like to work on but are unsure where to start or you find a blank page with no prior journaling history to be a bit daunting.

Fortunately, there are all kinds of journal writing prompts out there!

From inner child prompts to breakup prompts, gratitude prompts, chakra journal prompts and even manifestation prompts, you’ll never run out of things to write about.

Plus, starting out with journal prompts gives you space to answer as simply or in-depth as you’d like to which can be helpful if you are still getting used to writing in a journal, which brings me to our next journaling tip.

2. Build the habit

Be consistent with your journal practice! This way you can truly reap the benefits of journaling and turn it into a habit.

3. Start simple

Start simple when adding journaling into your routine to assist you in building the habit and getting used to writing in your journal.

Start with 1 prompt or the intent to write 1 page combined with putting 5+ minutes aside in the morning or evening to build a daily journal routine.

4. Let go of perfectionism

Release the idea that your journal has to look or sound a certain way. Nobody is going to read it but you!

Allow what arises when writing to be as it is and try to not judge yourself.

Also, if you miss a day, just pick things back up where you left off!

5. Turn it into a self-care routine ritual

Create a ritual out of writing in your journal. Light a candle, make yourself a hot drink, grab your journal and get cosy.

See your journaling sessions as special you time and a space where you can unwind.

Add spending time with your journal into your self-care routine! It makes a great Sunday reset day checklist addition to prepare you for a brand-new week or even a relaxing step in your at-home pamper evenings.

Doing this is a lovely way of showing up for yourself and is a fun way of building your new journal habit.

6. You don’t need to buy a lot of stuff

Don’t feel like you have to buy a lot of items or start with anything fancy, unless you want to!

A simple lined notebook you find appealing along with a pen will do.

25 Random journal prompts for beginners

Interested in using journal prompts? Pin these 25 random journal prompts for beginners to Pinterest so you can come back to them.

1. Write an introduction page about yourself.

2. Write 5 favourite things you like about yourself.

3. What is something you are currently looking forward to?

4. What is something that scares you?

5. List 3 things you are grateful for in the environment you are writing this in.

6. Write down 5 goals you have.

7. What is your biggest dream?

8. How have you grown as a person in the past year?

9. What are your most important values?

10. Make a travel bucket list.

11. Describe a day in your desired life as if it is happening in the present tense.

12. What do you hope to accomplish in the next 6 months?

13. What are your favourite colours?

14. What is a hobby you’ve always wanted to try?

15. What are your favourite self-care activities?

16. Make a movie/TV show bucket list.

17. How can you practice more self-love?

18. Write a diary entry about your day.

19. What are your good habits? What are your bad habits?

20. How are you currently living out dreams or goals that you once hoped to experience?

21. What is 1 lesson you’ve learned recently?

22. How can you show up more for yourself day-to-day?

23. Create a bucket list for the season you’re currently in.

24. What activity did you love most as a child?

25. How can you bring more joy into your life?

For more journal ideas, check out the following posts:

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