How to Start Journaling Practice

Journaling is a powerful practice that brings innumerable holistic wellness benefits to our health. By consistently incorporating it into our routines, it can have a wide-reaching positive impact on various aspects of life.

Journaling improves mental clarity, mindfulness and helps foster self-awareness by helping toexpress thoughts, emotions and ideas. It can also lead to enhanced communication skills, better memory retention, improved sleep and a potentially stronger immune system – as well as increased self-confidence and accelerated healing. The practice is a journey of self-discovery, personal growth and self-expression and if done properly, it can be a transformative experience.

To get started, Kamalaya’s wellbeing experts have highlighted some of the key steps for consideration:

Choose a journal: The first step in starting a journaling practice is selecting the right journal. Choose from a physical notebook, a digital app or even a simple document on your computer but select a format that’s comfortable as this will encourage regular writing.

Set a routine: Consistency is key to building a successful journaling practice so establish a routine that works. Some prefer to journal in the morning to set the tone for the day, while others find it more relaxing to reflect in the evening – find a time that suits your schedule and commit to it.

Find the purpose: Determine the purpose of your journaling. Is it to process emotions, track goals or simply record daily events? Having a clear purpose will give the journaling practice direction and help you stay motivated.

Start small: Don’t get overwhelmed trying to write lengthy entries right from the beginning. Start with a few sentences or bullet points – the goal is to get into the habit of journaling.

Be honest: Your journal is a safe space for your thoughts and feelings, so write without judgment or fear of criticism. It’s a place to explore innermost thoughts and emotions freely.

Use prompts: If unsure of what to write about, consider using journal prompts. These are questions or statements that can help stimulate your thinking and guide your writing.

Experiment with different styles: Journaling is a versatile practice and there are many styles to explore. You can try gratitude journaling, where we write down the things we’re thankful for or stream-of-consciousness journaling, letting thoughts flow without any structure. Experiment with different styles to find what resonates well.

Reflect and review: Periodically, take time to review journal entries. Reflect on experiences, emotions and thoughts over time. This can provide valuable insights into your personal growth and development.

Stay committed: Building a journaling practice takes time and patience. It’s easy to get discouraged or forget about it, but consistency is key to reaping the benefits of this practice. Stay committed to the routine, even on days when you don’t feel like writing.

There’s no right or wrong way to journal, so it’s always best to experiment, stay open to new techniques and find what works best for your style. Most importantly you should enjoy the process of capturing your thoughts and experiences on paper or screen and reap the wellness benefits associated with this work.

To kickstart your wellbeing journey, consider Kamalaya Connect’s online life-enhancing Personal Mentoring. Personalised 60-minute sessions focus on exploring personal areas of your life using profound insights, powerful practices and ancient techniques for healing past emotions, embracing a more balanced self, and experiencing a lighter state physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.