Journaling seems to be everywhere these days – from bullet journals, to guided journaling prompts, and everything in between. However, it can also be as simple as picking up a notebook and a pen or pencil and pouring everything that’s in your mind onto the page. We’ve collected some of the best journaling practices right here. They include:
- Morning Pages
- Gratitude Journaling
- 5-Minute Journaling
- Analog Journaling
- Emotional Journaling
In the rest of this article, we’ll explain more about each method, along with reasons you may want to try it. That way, you can pick whatever method best suits your needs. So, let’s get started!
5 Mindful Journaling Practices To Try
Morning Pages
This journaling method was created by Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, to help people “get out of their own way” and become more creative. The concept is simple – when you wake up each morning, grab a journal and fill three pages with stream-of-consciousness writing. Don’t worry about how it sounds or even what you’re saying – just go for it!
This is a great practice if you tend to overthink and want to get more comfortable with your creativity and inner voice.
Gratitude Journaling
Particularly when times are tough, it can be challenging to remember everything for which you’re grateful. However, there’s never a better time to start recalling all the things that fill you with gratitude. You can try this practice every evening to recall the good from your day, or you can make a gratitude list each morning to start the day with a smile on your face.
5-Minute Journaling
In this twist on morning pages, simply set a timer for 5 minutes and start writing! You can try stream-of-consciousness writing, or work your way through different journal prompts. If you’re short on time or are unsure if journaling is right for you, this is a great way to give it a try.
Analog Journaling
Analog journaling is one of the most traditional methods of keeping a journal. It involves using a real notebook and pen or pencil to record everything that happened that day. You can go as simple as writing each thing you did that day, or you can delve into your thoughts and feelings as well.
Emotional Journaling
If you want to understand your emotions and feelings more deeply, try emotional journaling. All you need to do is write down exactly how you feel, no holding back. Getting your feelings out of your head and onto paper can be very cathartic, and re-reading what you wrote can also help you make more sense of what’s happening in your mind.
We hope one of these journaling practices stood out to you as something you might want to implement in your own life! Be patient and consistent, and you’re sure to reap the benefits sooner than you think.