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3 Ways to Start — and Stick With — a Journaling Practice

Make this healthy habit part of your routine.

A woman writes something down in a notebook.

Study after study shows that writing down your thoughts and feelings can improve both your mental and physical health. If you’ve never tried journaling before — or you’ve tried and have had trouble keeping at it — here are some tips for making this beneficial practice part of your routine.

Make Your Journal a Judgment-Free Zone

Sometimes, what you’re thinking and feeling can seem overwhelming. But getting everything down on paper — or on your computer — is what helps you understand the full range of your needs and figure out how to begin having them met. So let your thoughts flow and write it all down.

Friends Who Give You Helpful Advice

Having a buddy you can talk to when making a big decision or need some practical pointers on say, using video chat, can help you stay sharp. That’s because it’s so easy to get stuck in our own heads when making decisions. Checking in with someone whose opinion you trust helps broaden your view and identify different approaches to solving problems. Friends who are always there with a helpful word can also help you feel motivated to stick with developing healthy habits.

Friends Who Give You a Sense of Belonging

There’s nothing like finding someone who shares your love of animals or gets your sense of humor. Humans, by our very nature, crave feeling accepted. Friends who share similar interests are wonderful for satisfying our need to feel connected to others. Join a new group or go back to one you’ve tried in the past to find friends you have something in common with.

Get Started

Now that you know the best way to approach keeping a journal, you’re ready to begin. Not sure what to say? Try the journaling prompts below to get started.

If someone described me, what would they say?
What’s the best compliment you’ve received?
What new activities would you like to try?
What does “good health” mean to you?
What does friendship mean to you?

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. The point of this practice is to help you sort out your thoughts and feelings so you can learn and grow.