r/Journaling Sep 16 '24

[Megathread] Getting Started with Journaling!

360 Upvotes

If you're new to journaling or unsure how to start, this is the place for you. Below are answers to the most common questions, alongside some tips to help you dive in. Feel free to ask more questions, share your experiences, or help others out!


FAQ

1. How do I start journaling?

A common piece of advice is to just start—don’t overthink it. Grab a notebook and write about what’s on your mind. Here are some beginner-friendly approaches:

  • Brain dump: Simply write down anything that comes to mind, no structure needed.
  • Set a time: Start with 5-10 minutes of free writing each day.
  • Prompts: Use a prompt (we’ve shared a few below) if you’re stuck. You can find more under our "prompts" flair.
  • No pressure: Don’t worry about grammar, structure, or even making sense. The point is to express yourself.

2. What do you write about?

One of the most common questions from new journalers is "What should I write about?" Here are some popular suggestions from the community:

  • Daily reflections: Write about your day—what happened, what you felt, and any highlights or challenges.
  • Goals and aspirations: Reflect on areas of personal growth or areas where you want to improve.
  • Gratitude: List a few things you're grateful for.
  • Memory keeping: Write about life events, outings with friends, something that you've really been into lately... anything goes!
  • Stream of consciousness: Let your thoughts flow freely—no topic is too small or mundane.

Remember, your journal can be as broad or as specific as you want! Worried about what the right way to journal is? Well -- the right way to journal is however you feel comfortable keeping up with, and find helpful to your lifestyle. Experiment with different strategies, take inspiration from peoples posts, and don't be afraid to experiment and "mess up", until you find something that you love.


3. I'm scared someone will read my journal. How can I keep it private?

Privacy is a valid concern. Here are a few methods the community recommends:

  • Hide it: Store your journal in a secure spot—some people use lockable drawers or bags.
  • Digital journaling: Apps like Day One offer passcodes and encryption for extra privacy.
  • Code: Write in shorthand or a personal code that only you can understand.
  • Rip it up: If it’s something truly sensitive, write it out and destroy the pages afterward. The act of writing is therapeutic, even if the words don't last.

4. How often do you journal? For how long? What if I miss a day?

Many community members journal in bursts or only when they feel like it. Journaling is a personal tool; use it in the way that best serves you.

You can journal for just 5 minutes, jotting down your fleeting thoughts, or even write for an hour until you feel you've unloaded everything onto paper. You can journal multiple times a day, or once a week. You don't have to stick to a strict regimen of daily journaling to feel the benefits!

It's also normal to miss days even if your goal was to journal daily! Life can get in the way, and just like any hobby or habit, what matters most is that you do it. The key is to avoid self-criticism. You can always pick up where you left off without guilt.


To the community: please share your tips!

Seasoned journalers, your tips and experiences are valuable to those starting! Feel free to share how you got started, what methods work for you, and any advice you have.


r/Journaling 4h ago

Journal collection Most of the journals I’ve had since 2018

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101 Upvotes

Recently found some journals I had tucked away starting from 2018 - the most recent in 2024. I have at least 5 more journals in storage, so at least 12-15 journals IIRC 😽 I love journaling, best thing I’ve ever started, and there’s an excerpt of the entry I made in 2022 when I found out I could go to university :)


r/Journaling 11h ago

Reading older journals are making me sad, regretful and shocked

303 Upvotes

I have recently been reading a few of my older journals from 2002 - 2005. I was between 14 and 18 back then. I have long time not taken a look into these journals as they were at my parent's house. They gave them back to me only a few months ago.

Of course, I still remember what I was going through during that time but it was more like a blurred memory. Reading my specific thoughts, I was shocked- There are lots of entries full of hatred - against myself, my parents, even my friends, self-pity and harmful thoughts. I was also anorexic (and probably depressed) during that time and no one even noticed.

Of course, I know that these struggles are - at least kind of - normal when you are young. But after reading those journals I feel so sad. I started reading them bc I thought it would be funny to dive into those old memories - but now I am simply shocked and devastated.

Has anyone made this experience too when reading older journals?


r/Journaling 2h ago

Journal collection 12 years of my life.

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42 Upvotes

I’ve been keeping journals for 12 years (I love calling them diaries), and each notebook represents a year of my life: from January 1st through December 31st.


r/Journaling 1h ago

Citation

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Upvotes

Someone here had posted a quote that I really liked and I rewrote it in my diary, it's in Italian but the translation is "as is your desire, so is your will, as is your will, so is your action, as is your action, so is your destiny"


r/Journaling 1d ago

Journal collection Just finished my 14th journal. 2019-2025.

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645 Upvotes

These are not all of my journals and notebooks, they technically begin in 1st grade, but they’re not very cohesive so I keep them separate. These are from my sophomore year in high school to my senior year in college! Very happy with my shelf so far :)


r/Journaling 9h ago

Question What kind of thing you like to paste in your journal ?

30 Upvotes

Hello everyone ♥

Am kinda new here and reading all of you here motivated to start a new journal.

i did some journals about my positive stuffs that i draw and write everyday since now 2 or 3 years ? But thanks to all of you, i started something more personnal and write more than i draw and i want to write a lot of things about nice memories, but also goals and my fav things to always remember all the things i'm proud of and all the thing i should never forget about me and things i love.

Okay, that, that was for the context and for thanking all of you for the inspiration and all!

Today i have a question and i took my courage to send it here, it's :

What kind of stuff do you paste in your journal ?

I know people use some stickers and memo notes to write on, but is there some things you love to paste in your journal that make the page special for you ? Some things that make you think about a precious thing you dont want to forget or to give more informations about things you write. Tell me everything, i'm very curious!

And thanks again for all the inspiration you give me daily, you're all amazing ! ♥


r/Journaling 20h ago

Just sharing finished my first year of journaling!

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204 Upvotes

Painted the edges pink for my first anniversary journaling

(Also don't flame me for the cheesy quote, I bought it because it's pink!)

I missed the one year anniversary by a week because I misremembered the date lol, I don't even have an entry on the 21st of this month but oh well.

Never thought that this would be for me but once I started letting go of expectations, perfection and everything else preventing me from giving myself peace of mind through this outlet; everything in my life became significantly better.

Starting a new journal today, any suggestions or words of advice?


r/Journaling 15h ago

When you wanna catch up but don't wanna write a lot

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86 Upvotes

I then dothouse kind of entrys in my journal For when i wanna talk about stuff that is going on but not wanna write "too much"

Anyone else doing that?


r/Journaling 16h ago

Journal collection My Journals so far...

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92 Upvotes

Top left is the oldestand bottom right my currend one.

I startet Journaling in 2016 and up untill the last 2-3 Years never really consistent. I mean... Now there is still times where I journal Dayli and weeks without it. Also my style has changed in this time. I began with moleskin softcovers. I wanted it slim and clean. Only a few pictures inside, no color, no drawings, mostly consistand writing. Now i am in my second Leuchturm1917 with 120g paper. They get big and chonkey I write, i put in pictures, i doodle, i put in maps and flyers from places i've been Basicly it is now a mix of consistend writing, junkjournaling and scrapbooking And i feel it is for me the best kind to journal. I wanna keep my thouths and memorys in thouse pages and this mix helps me to not forget. And also the Stickers on the Outside of the Journal are kind of a mirror for what vibes I had when i started the journal.


r/Journaling 15h ago

where are all the thinkers who are up thinking

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82 Upvotes

r/Journaling 13h ago

Just sharing i'm addicted to the sky and to stickers

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37 Upvotes

r/Journaling 3h ago

Question Which hour is the best to write?

5 Upvotes

I write poems at the night, because of school or work (and romanticism). I started journaling one year ago during the nights, but not necessarily very poetics things, just anecdotes, dreams or goals. I want to try to write in other hours of the day. What is your predilect hours to journal? And why?🤔


r/Journaling 20h ago

Question Is it ever too late to start journaling?

55 Upvotes

I feel like the answer is no but a part of me just feels like it’s too late. I’m 23M and I think about it quite often but I feel like 23 is too late to start. Am I overthinking it or do I still have time?


r/Journaling 1d ago

Journaling just for the sake of writing

111 Upvotes

I have recently discovered that I really like the physical aspect of writing. I like the feel of it all, holding the pen, feeling and hearing the pen scratching on the paper, etc. and seeing the efforts of my labor.

Here is the problem I am running in to, I am running out of things to write about. Currently I have been writing random journal entries of sorts and documenting a lot of quotes I have found on Instagram and Pinterest. In the not so recent past at one point I was copying down and creating all sorts of information and data from measuring units and conversions to information about the Tarot and pagan subjects.

I am in need of things to write. I have tried documenting my days, writing down how I feel about thing, a few journaling prompts and so on. Nothing seems to stick so to speak. I've tried browsing online to find inspiration to no avail.

I am beginning to believe that I may be my own worst enemy. Like I can't see the forest for the trees type of thing. I am hoping some recommendations and input from objective third parties might help.

If this makes sense to anyone please let me know what thoughts you might have that you are willing to share.

Also, is there anyone else like this?


r/Journaling 1d ago

:( Grieving is a strange process.

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88 Upvotes

Please do excuse my handwriting


r/Journaling 20h ago

Im 15 I need some serious advice

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27 Upvotes

I bought a journal today this is the first page idk what I just wrote I need some important advice like what to do and what to write like I don't wanna write like a philosopher just some daily check list


r/Journaling 18h ago

Just sharing Staying home makes me stuck

13 Upvotes

I've been in the family house for past few months waiting for college. I was out of here for past two years preparing for exam in another state and hardly stayed home without work especially for this long period.

The thing is when I just started writing as a preteen my parents read my diaries. Later I started writing on a piece of paper that I used to rip and throw away but once my dad found one about him yelling at me and then yelled at me again 💀

Since I came back I've written 2-3 entries in 3 months when I used to write daily. I admit for first few weeks after exam I didn't write because I was feeling burnout but even now if I try I can't (sorry if it feels repetitive)

Last week I was writing after a month or two and as soon as my mom saw it, she sat behind me in a chair too and started talking to me and asking me to read it out loud to her which I obviously didn't but wrote that in my journal lol

It's frustrating because they don't let me stay in my room too. After I went away they turned my room into a guest room but it is still my stuff yet I can't even go there for just nights. Idk why because it's not like we sleep at same time, even when we're sleeping in same room I stay awake 2 hours more than them as that's my only quiet time which I need before sleep

Sorry for the rant 😭 this is what happens when I can't journal and i guess I wanted to share it to someone who will understand


r/Journaling 1d ago

Just sharing You just watch as life passes by.

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37 Upvotes

Journal - tomoe river Fountain pen - lamy safari 1.1 stub nib Ink - pilot iroshizuku konpeki


r/Journaling 1d ago

Journal collection My journals so far

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108 Upvotes

Sorry for the dirty floor, the one with the pen on it is my current one and I just got my next two ones


r/Journaling 1d ago

Just sharing A page from a project I’m working on!

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23 Upvotes

I usually do a lot of visual journaling/art journaling, but I am participating in a project called “The Sisterhood of The Travelling Journal” and I had to make an “about me” page.

I am not used to writing in my journals, but it was actually quite fun. I used other bits and pieces, but I enjoyed the process of putting pen to paper.

I thought it might be appropriate to share here - so, I am! Please have a lovely day!


r/Journaling 21h ago

Mood Tracking: Insight or busy work?

10 Upvotes

I’ve been experimenting with journaling and was thinking of adding daily mood tracking to it.

On one hand, it seems like it could help me notice patterns (like what triggers stress or motivation). On the other hand, I’m wondering if it’s just “busy work” that doesn’t really move the needle.

Has anyone here tried mood tracking consistently? Did it actually improve your self-awareness, or did you find it became another thing to do without much payoff?

Would love to hear different perspectives.


r/Journaling 22h ago

Discussion plain vs aesthetic journal cover and why?

9 Upvotes

for those of you who have been keeping journals for years, do you prefer to always use the same plain journal cover / same model, or do you prefer to have a different style of journal for each new one?


r/Journaling 1d ago

Just sharing It’s been almost a month since my last entry, hoping to get back into the habit

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13 Upvotes

Slowly but surely I think! I’ll just write a little each day until I can feel good about journaling again 💕 also the “I’ll be back” 28 days later lol


r/Journaling 1d ago

Journal collection im finally done with 20 of these things 600 entries into writing

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406 Upvotes

ngl its a little crazy that first of all, the stack is DEFINITELY over 2 feet tall now (its almost eye level when im sitting on the floor) and also i can barely even fit all the journals in one image anymore lol. the next time i do this ill probably just have the last 5 journals instead of literally all of them out.