How to Write in a Journal

Did you keep a diary when you will a child? What kind of things did you write in it? Maybe some of your entries sounded like this:

Today I went to school. We had a test and it was really hard! I wish I didn’t have to go to school. I hate homework! Me and my best friend Sandy played together at recess. My other best friend Jen wouldn’t play with us because she didn’t want to. I don’t know why. I hope I get something really cool for my birthday…

Your entries may have been more or less exciting and probably full of grammatical and spelling mistakes. This is what we usually think of when writing in a diary or journal. If this is what you imagine and what turns you off of journaling, I assure you, it doesn’t have to be like this. Once you know how to keep and how to write a journal, you can get the full benefits.

1.  Learn a little about yourself.

When you start journaling, you write about what is happening in your life, your thoughts, and your feelings. You are exploring who you really are and learning about yourself in the process.

We often feel misguided, lost, confused, or incomplete in our lives. You might feel the happiest you’ve ever felt but aren’t quite sure why. When you begin writing in a journal, you begin exploring who you are. Take just a small amount of time out of every day to write.

When you write, try not to think too much about it. Just let the pen move and the writing flow. You might feel like some days you are only writing nonsense. If you go back and read what you’ve written you’ll see underneath yourself why you do the things you do and why you are the way you are.

Don’t mistaken journaling for a psychiatrist. If you are having a lot of trouble in your life, seeing a psychiatrist will help you a lot where a journal wouldn’t. Whether you see a psychiatrist or not, journal writing can act as great therapy in your life.

2.  Get through hard times in your life.

As I just mentioned, journaling can be good therapy. Do you feel broken from losing a loved one? If you don’t feel comfortable talking about it with anyone, you can write about it. Writing will help get it off your chest but still allows you to feel comfortable because you aren’t sharing your personal feelings with someone you don’t feel comfortable with.

Everyone goes through rough spots in their life whether it’s losing a job, having an illness, or just not feeling right. Keeping a journal can help you cope with life.

3.  Keep a record of your own history.

Do you enjoy learning about history and the lives of those who have come before us? Do you worry about losing your legacy? When you write in a journal you are writing your own history.

I like the idea of keeping my own history because it’s a great way to keep good memories alive. I often find myself going back to reread my good days to relive the memories I will enjoy forever.

By keeping a record of your history, you can keep your legacy alive. Have you ever read the diary of a grandparent or even just someone from the past? Their lives seem so much more interesting. Who knows, 100 years from now someone might be reading your story and find you fascinating!

4.  Practice Writing.

If you love to write, journaling is great practice. You can use a journal for yourself and you could even make it a writer’s notebook or have a separate writing journal. You may have heard that if you want to be a writer, you should write all the time. Journal writing is a great way to make sure you get your daily writing in.

When you keep a journal, you shouldn’t dwell on grammar and spelling. This might seem like it wouldn’t help your writing, but you must understand that good writing is much more than grammar and spelling. There are so many components to compelling writing that only practice, trial, and error can build. You will practice the feeling of writing, emotions, and develop your own tone.

5.  Make, keep, and analyze your goals so that you can successfully achieve them.

Some people are very spontaneous. They live by the moment and never plan anything. Others seem to never do anything unless it’s been written in their daily planner for 3 months. A little spontaneity never hurt anyone and you can definitely over-plan. You should strive for somewhere in between.

Setting both long and short term goals can help contribute to being a happier person. Have you ever felt like you’ve never really accomplished anything in your life or that you don’t have anything to live for? By creating goals, you can set objectives for yourself and have something to work for. You will feel great every time you accomplish a goal.

Journaling is a great way to keep track of your goals. You could set your goals and check back on them every month or so to watch your progress. You can achieve anything you want if you work for it and plan. Now that you know how to write a journal, you can start reaping the rewards.

How to Find Journal Writing Topics and Ideas – Keep the writing juices flowing

How to Keep a Journal – Your foolproof instructions

Journaling and Creative Writing – How keeping a journal can help you in your creative writing practice.

Finding the Best Journal to Write in – You will be using it everyday, make it one you’ll love to write in!