How To Start Journaling for Clarity (+ 20 journal prompts!)

Growing up, I wrote in a journal every night before going to bed. Most of what I wrote about had to do with the boy I had a crush on. What you do expect from a girl in middle school and high school?

When I got to college I dropped the habit. It was awkward to keep up when I was living with roommates. I instead wrote personal thoughts and feelings in a Word Document throughout college.

But then I started blogging senior year of college. Over time it became the only writing I did.

I’ve missed writing in a journal. Pen-to-paper, not thinking about spelling and SEO. Rambles. Unfinished thoughts.

So, I went to Barnes and Noble found me a journal. One without a spiral because I’m left-handed.

Related: I Tried Bullet Journaling And Hated it – Here’s What I’m Doing Instead

Getting Back Into Journaling

I’ve been writing before bed every week night for two weeks now and it feels good. There’s something about actually writing and not just typing, y’know?

At first it felt weird. What do I write? I’m 27 and I’ve been with my boyfriend for almost 6 years, I’m not exactly gossiping about my latest crush to my diary.

So, I set a timer for 10-minutes and set two rules for myself:

[ONE] Just keep writing for those 10 minutes. Even if that means writing I don’t know what to write about.

[TWO] End with listing 3-5 things I accomplished that day. An anti-to-do list. Instead I call it an “I did that!” list.

The reasoning behind number two: I’ve been feeling mucho anxiety surrounding productivity. Every day I have this guilt pit in my belly that I should be doing more. Instead of stressing about things I didn’t do, I’m celebrating my accomplishments.

 

I won’t pretend journaling changed my life but…

I feel lighter when I try to fall asleep afterwards. All those thoughts and feelings are no longer swirling in my brain while I’m trying to fall asleep. I get them outta my head and onto paper.

Writing down my thoughts and feelings is also giving me some much needed clarity.

This summer is all about personal growth and self-discovery for me. I’m doing my best to embrace the slightly slower pace of summer and use this downtime for self reflection. Hellooooo, soul searching. But then again, when am I not soul searching and on a quest for my purpose in life?

Journaling is playing a part in Kayla’s Soul Search: 2017 edition. What I’m writing in that notebook is raw and unfiltered. I can openly talk about the parts of my day I really loved, and the things I really freaking hated.

I’m using this to figure out what’s next for Kayla. Am I weirding you out by talking about myself in the third person yet?

I’m noticing patterns on the days that I write about feeling lighter or just plain happier. What was I doing those days? How can I do more of that? And how can I make enough money that I can pay the bills doing that?

How To Get Started Journaling

▶︎ Find a journal you LOVE. I’m SO picky when it comes to journals. Anyone else real picky about their journals? As I said above, as a lefty I personal go for journals without a spiral for comfort.

 

▶︎ Pick a time that works for YOU. Nighttime makes sense for me, it’s when I feel the most creative. I’m also a hot mess in the morning, scrambling to brush my teeth and get dressed before working out.

But maybe you’re into chill mornings and easing into the day. You do you, boo.

I do recommend journaling first thing in the morning or right before going to bed. Use it as time to set an intention for the day or reflect at the end of the day.

 

▶︎ Set a timer. Whether it’s 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes. Whatever it, tell yourself that the only goal is to WRITE until the timer goes off.

 

▶︎ And if you’re really stuck? Use some of the below prompts to get the creative juices flowing.

 

✨ 20 Journal Prompts For Personal Growth & Clarity

1. What was your favorite thing you did today? How can do you more of that?

2. When do you feel the most light and free?

3. If you could make money doing anything, what would that be?

4. Write a letter to your past self.

5. Where do you see yourself in 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, 10 years.

6. Write a letter to your future self.

7. What are you really good at?

8. What’s your ideal day look like? What’s special about that day?

9. What did you accomplish today?

10. What’s something you want to do but you’re afraid?

11. What was your dream job when you were little? How has that evolved into what you do now?

12. If you could go back to college, what would your major be and why?

13. What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been to and why?

14. What’s a topic or subject you want to learn more about?

15. Take a Myers Briggs test. Do you agree with your results?

16. What are your grateful for?

17. Make a bucket list.

18. Where were you 10 years ago?

19. What’s are you excited about?

20. What do you love about yourself?