It’s always so exciting when our extremely talented and inspiring community of City Leaders shares some of their wisdom with us and subsequently, all of you! When we started talking about the importance of journaling and writing down your goals, thoughts, dreams, struggles, fears, etc., our new City Leader in Dallas, Stefani jumped at the opportunity to share her experience with journaling! It’s especially exciting for the few of us who don’t have a consistent journaling practice and need some tips and best practices for getting started.

That’s precisely why we put together our Journaling In July Monthly Challenge. In case you haven’t signed up yet, you can do so here and get all of the prompts for your daily journaling practice for July. Taking the time to journal is a form of self-care that can help you with focus, reflection, and clearing your mind. With that in mind, we’re so excited to have Stefani as a guest blogger to share her tips and tricks for establishing a journaling practice.

Let’s get started…

Journaling 101 with Stefani

Journaling is for you and your mental health.

Everyone remembers their first time writing “Dear Diary” and quickly stuffing it under your bed (or pillow) when your parents walked in so they wouldn’t read it (spoiler alert: they definitely did). It felt good to have your own space to get out your thoughts and feelings.

As you got older, you may have stopped writing in a diary. The benefits and concept still apply to your older self but now, it’s called journaling. It’s still writing down your thoughts and feelings but as you get older, you are able to reflect, understand and build on your journal writings. It also helps if you struggle from things such as anxiety, depression or stress.

Why Journaling?

Journaling is great for your mental health. Journaling can help you manage anxiety, reduce stress and cope with feelings. Journaling helps you prioritize problems, fears, and concerns, tracking any symptoms day-to-day so that you can recognize triggers and learn ways to better control them and provide an opportunity for positive self-talk and identifying negative thoughts and behaviors.

Tips for Getting Started:

Consistency- Try to set aside anywhere from 5 to 30 (or more!) minutes a day to write.
Accessibility- Make it easy to journal each day. Keep your journal and a pen handy in a place you can easily access. Whether that’s next to your bed, a journal on your phone, on your computer or a bag you carry daily.
Prompts/Questions- Stuck on what to write? Keep a list of prompts handy for when you have writers block.
An Open Mind- Your journal is your space. It doesn’t need to follow any structure or setup. It’s your private space to let the words flow freely so write and discuss what you want! Don’t worry about penmanship, spelling or what others will think about what you write.
Writing Space- Write in a place that is soothing and relaxing. Light a candle, make some tea, put on some fuzzy socks, whatever gets you relaxed and ready to write
Sharing- You can share or not share as much as you like. Use your journal the way you want to use it.

What You Need:

Journal
Pen/Pencil
Relaxing Space

That’s it!

Here’s A Few Recommendations:

Journals

Artist Loft Journal from Michael’s- $6

15 patterns!
Get it here: Michael’s

Fabric Lined Journal from Target - $15

Built in pen loop closure!
Get it here: Target

Joynote Hardcover Journal from Amazon - $12

Built in pen loop and 6 colors!
Get it here: Amazon

Pens

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner 0.3mm Pens 12 Color Set from Amazon - $9

Doesn’t bleed through most papers, comfortable, comes in tons of colors (or packs of black too!)
Get it here: Amazon

Pilot G2 (I like the .5 for skinny writing!) from Amazon - $5.99 (pack of 5)

Smooth writing, can write small, doesn’t bleed through
Get it here: Amazon

Paper Mate Ink Joy from Amazon - $12 (set of 14)

Smooth writing, lots of colors, does not bleed on most papers
Get it here: Amazon

Accessories

Sticky Notes (super helpful for dividing sections if you want to divde into months, days, categories, etc.)

Get it here: Amazon

Decorative Stickers

You can get these all over Etsy. I also make custom stickers at my Etsy shop Plan It Perfect

Washi Tape

Decorative tape (I like these really skinny rolls from Amazon!)

Look forward to your journaling time. It’s a time for you to get to know yourself and your thoughts, feelings, fears and ideas. Journaling is your personal time to wind down, de-stress, let the words flow and relax. Keeping a journal is your place of order when everything else feels like it’s out of order.

You’re all set! Happy Journaling!

…To learn more about Stefani, check out her website www.stefanireyco.com!

And if you’re inspired to join our Journaling in July Monthly Challenge, you can sign up here!

If you have a favorite journal prompt or other tips, share those in the comments!

Journaling 101 With Stefani