The Benefits of Journaling: How to Start (and Stick With) a Journaling Practice for Better Wellbeing
Feeling lost in the chaos of daily life? Maybe you’ve heard that journaling can help you slow down and tune in, but you’re not quite sure how to get started. Or maybe you’ve started a journal once or twice, only to abandon it after a week of blank pages staring back at you. Wherever you’re at, journaling can be a simple, meaningful way to bring clarity, calm, and connection into your life—if you know how to make it work for you.
Discover How Journaling Can Help You Find Clarity and Calm in Everyday Life
Journaling has long been celebrated as a powerful tool for mental and emotional well-being. But what if it could be more than that? Not just a place to vent or reflect, but a daily practice that helps you make sense of the world around you, and more importantly, your own needs and desires.
At If Lost, we’ve seen firsthand how a journaling practice can bring relief from the constant noise of life. By putting pen to paper, you create space to reconnect with yourself. No judgment, no pressure—just an honest exploration of where you’re at and where you want to go.
It doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to start small and keep it simple. Once you get past the idea that journaling has to look a certain way, you can discover how it helps you tap into your voice, gain clarity, and feel a little more grounded in your everyday life.
How to Start—and Stick With—a Journaling Practice
Ready to start? Here’s how you can begin and maintain a journaling practice, no matter how busy life feels. Plus, we’re sharing 5 easy journaling prompts that will help you improve your everyday well-being.
1. Start where you are
The biggest barrier to journaling is often thinking it has to be perfect. It doesn’t! There’s no ‘right way’ to journal. You don’t need a fancy notebook or an hour of quiet time. Grab whatever you have on hand and start writing. The key is simply to start.
2. Make it easy and doable
If journaling every day feels like too much, aim for once or twice a week. Set aside 5–10 minutes at a time that works for you—whether that’s over your morning coffee, during lunch, or right before bed. The goal is to make journaling part of your routine, but without pressure.
3. Let go of expectations
Some days, your journaling will feel insightful and deep. Other days, it might feel scattered or surface-level—and that’s okay! The process is about showing up for yourself, not writing something profound every time.
4. Experiment with what works for you
You don’t have to stick to one style of journaling. Some days, you might prefer stream-of-consciousness writing. On other days, you might enjoy responding to specific prompts or focusing on gratitude. Give yourself permission to explore what feels right on any given day.
5. Keep going, even if it’s not ‘perfect’
Journaling is a long-term practice, not a quick fix. You might miss a day or a week—that’s normal! Just pick up where you left off. Consistency will build over time, and you’ll start to see the benefits in how you feel and navigate your days.
5 Journaling Prompts for Everyday Wellbeing
Not sure what to write about? These simple prompts can help you get started:
1. What’s one thing I’m grateful for today?
Starting with gratitude can instantly shift your mindset, helping you focus on what’s going well—even if it’s something small.
2. How am I feeling right now?
This is a great check-in prompt to help you notice and acknowledge your emotions, without needing to ‘fix’ them.
3. What’s one thing I can let go of today?
Whether it’s a worry, a task, or a feeling, writing about what you can release helps you focus on what really matters.
4. What’s one thing I want to create more space for in my life?
This prompt encourages you to think about what you need—whether it’s more rest, joy, or time with loved ones.
5. What do I want my day to feel like?
Journaling about your intentions for the day can help you feel more purposeful and grounded, even amidst life’s chaos.
Reconnect with Yourself: The Benefits of Journaling for Better Mental and Emotional Health
By weaving journaling into your everyday routine, you’ll notice how it helps you slow down, reconnect with yourself, and navigate life’s challenges with more clarity. It’s a tool you can return to whenever you need it—whether you’re feeling lost or simply want to stay connected with yourself.
Ready to dive deeper into the benefits of journaling? Join us for From Page to Plan: A Journaling Workshop for Better Wellbeing, where you’ll learn practical journaling techniques, connect with yourself in new ways, and leave with a plan to continue your journaling practice.
Sign up today and let’s get started!
