If you want to improve your perspective on life, start journaling.

If you want clarity on where you’ve come from, and where you’re going to, journal every day.

If you want to thrive in the future, start journaling today.

Can you tell how much I value journaling in my own life? That’s because I’ve had great results by implementing it in my life.

I kept a diary as I was growing up. Then life got in the way, and I didn’t pick up the practice again until I was in my thirties. Now I’ll never stop.

That’s because journaling is great for stress reduction and for problem-solving. It allows you to have brain dumps based on your feelings, every single time you sit down.

There’s something powerful about being able to write down your innermost feelings, knowing nobody will look at your ideas except you.

Do you journal too?

Here’s what’s worked for me over the years.

How To Start Journaling

Buy a gorgeous journal

Of course, this isn’t necessary. You can use a spiral notebook from Target, and pick up one in the school supply section for under a dollar. But I’ve found if I buy something beautiful, I’m more likely to keep it on my end table, and to use it every day.

Start writing

There is no wrong way to do this. You can even buy pens in fancy colors if you like. I place the date at the top of the page, and just start writing. I’ve had entries that are two sentences in length. I’ve had some that go on for pages. The point is to get your words and thoughts down. That’s it.

Set a date with your journal

Seriously, calendar it if you have to. I get up every morning, meditate for twenty minutes, and then journal immediately after. Every. Day. Because it helps me that much.

You can have more than one journal if you like

I journal every morning. But that doesn’t mean my thoughts only come in the morning. So I have several other journals too. I have a Q&A five year calendar I write in each afternoon. I’ve had gratitude journals for the evenings, to write down what I’m grateful for at the end of each day. I have a business journal where I track my business ideas.

Don’t hold back

Give yourself permission to let the words flow. Explore your feelings, interests, ideas, goals, and desires. I’ve started journal entries with things like “I have no idea what to write about,” and from there, the words flow. Does this take practice? Of course. But this is all about you. The more you let yourself go, the more you’ll put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.

And isn’t that the point?

Use These Prompts to Start Your Journaling Practice on Health, Life, and Thriving

Health

• How do I improve my health each day?
• What does exercise mean to me?
• Am I eating foods I enjoy, or eating just to eat?
• How can I focus more on my health?
• What do I want to feel like in ten years?
• Do I live a healthy life?
• Do I have family and friends who support my health goals?
• Have I found the right team to help me manage my health?
• What does a healthy me look like?
• Why do I want to have great health?

Life

• How did I put mindfulness into my life today?
• Am I where I hoped to be?
• How would I change my life if I could?
• What three things are holding me back?
• What would I change about this year if I could?
• How could I make next year perfect?
• If I redesigned my home, I would include …
• What could I do to make a relationship in my life better?
• I love my life because …
• I’m happy because …

Thriving

• What is one thing on my bucket list I can complete this year?
• Where is my dream vacation destination?
• If I won the lottery, I’d …
• What inspires me to be a better me?
• What is my dream job?
• What does financial security look like to me?
• What makes me happy?
• What makes me laugh?
• How would I change the world if I could?
• Who do I want with me, by my side, forever?