Why You Should Start a Journal This Year

New Year, New You?

With the new year creeping up on us, is it time to start thinking about resolutions yet? Sure, there are the easy ones that come to mind – join a gym, go to bed earlier, call your mom more… But what about setting a resolution to start a journal? I know, you’re probably thinking, “but that’s not going to help me with personal growth like losing weight, eating healthier, saving money or learning a new hobby” or any of the other most common resolutions. Well…think again, my friend. Starting a journal can help you do all of this and more. Don’t believe me? Stick around, and I bet you’ll want to grab a pen and start a journal by the end. Here are 3 reasons why starting a journal should be a top priority this year for your emotional well-being and personal growth!

Improve Your Organization with a Journaling Habit

I’m sure you saw this one coming, as getting organized is probably one of the main reasons people choose to start a journal – physical or digital! Using a digital journal can further enhance your organization by allowing you to write and organize your entries from any device, with the added benefits of automatic saving and dating. You can make lists of projects to do, books to read, presents to buy and more, and they’re all collected in one nice, neat little book. Are you someone who has sticky notes all over their desk with reminders of this meeting and that practice? If you love your sticky notes, put them in your journal! You don’t have to change your whole tracking method. Starting a journal is supposed to make your life easier, and there are plenty of ways to incorporate what you’re already doing. If you have prioritized to-do lists, chances are you might find yourself checking things off quicker and maybe even getting to bed earlier – so there are two resolutions already! Whether you prefer a physical notebook or a digital journal, choosing a journal you love can enhance your journaling habit and make it easier to incorporate into your routine.

Plan Your Day

Each of these planning options can be so easily accomplished by starting a journal. Use journal prompts for planning to help organize your thoughts and inspire your entries. Spend a bit of time on Sunday meal planning, and you can save money and eat healthier during the week (there’s another resolution). If you could use a little help organizing your thoughts when it comes to household chores, start a journal and start a running list of things that need to be done! For anyone who’s looking to take an entrepreneurial approach to 2025, start a journal to keep track of all your new business tasks, from choosing a name to setting up a website and beyond. Are you someone who likes to have a general (or intricate) outline of your day planned before you go to bed the night before? Start a journal and use your daily pages to lay out a plan of tasks for each day. You can use customizable journal entries to keep track of daily tasks and reflect on your progress.

Set and Keep Your Goals for Your Future Self

If you’re anything like me, then if something isn’t written down, it probably isn’t going to get done. This goes for anything as small as sending that email that’s been nagging at me to something big, like learning a new skill from an online class. Journal writing can be incredibly beneficial for goal setting, as it helps organize your thoughts and reflect on your progress. If you write your goals in a journal, though, you now have something holding you accountable.

I can’t even begin to tell you how frustrated I get with myself if I skip over crossing something off my list for the second or third day in a row. That usually prompts me to sit down and schedule it for a particular time the next day! I recently started an online class through my library, and writing my goals and milestones in my journal is the only way I’ve been motivated enough to move through the course. Whether it’s an online class or a new hobby, integrating a journaling practice can motivate you to pick up that new hobby you’ve been eyeing.

Improves Mental Well-being

Journaling has been shown to have a remarkable impact on mental health. By writing down your thoughts and feelings, you create a safe space to process and release emotions, which can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Imagine coming home after a long day and pouring your frustrations onto the pages of your journal – it’s like having a personal therapist strategy at your fingertips. Moreover, journaling helps you identify patterns and triggers of negative emotions, allowing you to develop effective coping strategies. Over time, this practice can lead to improved mental well-being and a more balanced emotional state. And let’s not forget the power of a gratitude journal; focusing on the positive aspects of your life can cultivate a mindset of gratitude and positivity, making each day a little brighter.

Enhances Self-awareness

Journaling is a powerful tool for enhancing self-awareness. When you take the time to write down your thoughts, feelings, and experiences, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world. It’s like holding up a mirror to your inner self. This practice can help you identify your core values, goals, and motivations, enabling you to make more informed decisions and live a more authentic life. Additionally, journaling fosters self-compassion and self-acceptance. By reflecting on your experiences and emotions, you can develop a greater sense of empathy towards yourself, leading to increased confidence and self-esteem. So, grab your pen and start writing – your future self will thank you.

Fosters Creativity

If you’re looking to unleash your creative potential, journaling might just be the key. By jotting down your ideas and inspirations, you can tap into a wellspring of creativity that you might not even know existed. Journaling allows you to brainstorm freely and explore different perspectives, helping you think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. Whether you’re an artist, writer, or simply someone who loves to think creatively, a personal journal can be a treasure trove of ideas waiting to be brought to life. Plus, the act of writing itself can spark curiosity and wonder, leading to a more creative and fulfilling life. So, why not start a journal and see where your imagination takes you?

Ready to Start Your Journal?

So, have I convinced you yet? If not, here are a few more reasons you should start a journal:

• Have a place to hold all your brainstorm ideas, which can make you more productive
• Store photos or fun quotes from friends with a memories journal.
• Track your habits – those you want to start and those you want to stop.
• Write your frustration, joy, anger, and excitement – and any other emotion you feel!
• Keep a list of affirmations to help this year be your most positive year yet.
• Write down your bucket list and use that to inspire your activities this year.

The Possibilities are Endless

There are so many other amazing reasons to start a journal, too. If you love data, you can try tracking anything and everything. You can track sleep, mood, habits, food, schedules, you name it. A friend of mine likes to keep a journal so she has somewhere to doodle during the day. What a great way to relieve stress!

Using a physical journal can provide a tactile and traditional experience that many find rewarding. Take a few minutes and consider if starting a journal is a good goal for you this year. It will certainly help with any other goal you have planned. Alternatively, you might prefer a digital journal for its convenience and better organization. So go ahead and pick out your favorite pen and grab a beautiful journal or notebook and get started. Happy journaling!