Beyond the Blank Page: Fun Hacks for Jumpstarting Your Journaling Journey

Imagine this: you've gathered an arsenal of awesome journaling tools – stickers, pens, washi tape, the whole shebang. But, hold up – you're in a face-off with that blank page, and it's a real challenge. No need to stress; we've all danced with that blank page dilemma. In this blog post, I'm spilling the beans on some tips to help both you and me kick those journaling jitters to the curb and reignite the thrill of scribbling on paper.

Chill Out and Let It Flow

Forget about perfect writing or Instagram-worthy spreads. Your journal is your turf, and there are no rules. Embrace the messy, scribble away, and let your thoughts roam free without stressing over how it looks. This part seems scary for many of us because we’re constantly online, scrolling and often compare ourselves to strangers we’ve never even met!

Baby Steps

The idea of filling a whole page can be a bit much. Start small – jot down a sentence or throw in a few keywords. Small wins lead to big victories, and before you know it, you'll be acing those journaling goals. I’m guilty of treating my journal like a school assignment and get discouraged when I can’t fill out a whole page. Like hello, it’s YOUR journal, stop following imaginary rules.

Prompts for the Win

When the words won't play nice, prompts can be your superhero sidekick. They're like the GPS for your thoughts. Don't feel boxed in; let your mind wander and see where those prompts take you. If you’d like some sample prompts to get you started, check these out.

Make It a Habit, But Keep It Cool

Create a chill, no stress routine for your journaling. Whether it's a set time each day or dragging your journal around wherever you go, a routine makes the process less of a hassle. I’ve started taking a journal around with me and a pen. I’m hoping to just be able to jot a few things down that I can look back on.

Mix Up Words and Doodles

If the words are on strike, bring in the visuals. Stick on those stickers, use the washi tape, throw in some photos – create a visual story of your feels. Sometimes, pictures can kickstart the words. Something I’ve learned recently, as a teacher, is to let kids draw, talk and write. They can draw in response to a prompt and either talk or write out an explanation of their drawing. It’s really helpful when your mind decides to randomly draw a blank.

Experiment with Styles

Traditional journaling is cool, but so are other styles. Try bullet journaling, rambling thoughts, or even recording voice notes (digitally or create voice files and print out QR codes for your journal). Find what vibes with you and makes the whole thing more fun.

Don't Stress the Mess

Your journal doesn't need to be Pinterest-perfect. Life is messy, and so can be your journal. Dump your thoughts, emotions, and life chaos onto those pages. It's like a therapy session on paper. (It can even be taken to a therapy session). At the end of the day this journal is YOURS so do whatever you want with it!

Remember Why You Started

I know this sounds cheesy, but seriously, remember WHY you started. Take a trip down memory lane. Why did you start journaling? Reconnect with that spark – whether it's for self-discovery, stress relief, or just to let out all that creativity you have bubbling beneath the surface.

Journaling is your personal playground, and it's okay to hit a roadblock. Loosen up, take it easy, and rediscover the thrill of self-expression. Remember, the journey is the destination, so kick back, have fun, and let your journal be the truest reflection of your awesome self.