Look at us, equipped with all sorts of tablets, laptops, mobile phones, and other high-tech equipment, yet we still lean on the good ol’ reliable pen and paper. Much like classic novels, Moleskine notebooks, and .5 G2 pens, journaling is another timeless thing that is here to stay. This might be because the many scientifically proven benefits of journaling overwhelm the inconvenience of not always having a notebook and pencil on hand.
Yet, the main problem holding people back from keeping a journal is what to journal about. Often, individuals keep a journal for those chance “brain blink” moments to note a random idea that popped into their heads. However, that’s just one of the purposes of journaling. Journaling ideas are literally as vast as the ocean. Anything you can think of can be noted down on paper. And although creative journal ideas can be found literally within your current sight (even with your eyes closed), the hard part is dissembling those thoughts and then piecing them back together. But that’s what we are here for—we do the hard part, you keep the fruits. So if you’ve ever thought of keeping a journal but kept backing off because you lacked things to journal about, fear no more—we’ve got you covered for a good while.
Below, we’ve compiled a list of fun journal ideas and random journal entry ideas to write about to keep your thoughts documented in black and white. Or whatever color pen you plan on using. Did you like any of the below ideas for journaling? Let us know by giving them an upvote. Also, any other cool journaling ideas we should have mentioned? Share them in the comments. Also, let us know whether you keep a journal or are planning on starting one!
#21
Describe the kind of person you want to be.
Focus on your ultimate objectives and the person you must become to achieve them. Imagine yourself as this individual and explain your way of life and your daily activities. Write about the traits you value in others and the ones you would like to have.
unknown
Report10points
#22
Write about compliments you received that impacted your life.
Some compliments have a more significant impact than others. You may recall compliments you've gotten that caught you off guard and altered how you see yourself. Describe one of these compliments, including the person who gave it to you.
unknown
Report10points
#23
Write about what you’re feeling at this very moment.
List all the feelings that come to mind, noting which ones are the strongest. Then delve a bit more to discover the grounds behind your feelings.
unknown
Report10points
#24
If you live with anxiety, write about how you cope.
Do you currently feel nervous about anything? What coping mechanisms have you built to help you manage your anxiety or unexpected stressors and triggers? Describe a situation when you applied one of those approaches and how effective it was.
unknown
Report10points
#25
Write about something that makes it hard for you to fall asleep.
Why do you think you had difficulty putting those thoughts to rest? What was going through your mind? Do you fear that you will be bothered by these thoughts again tonight? What can you do to improve your chances of sleeping soundly?
unknown
Report10points
#26
Write about the thing you learned from someone who hurt you.
You don't have to mention any names. Just write about a painful situation that person made you undergo and what you took away from it. Have you altered how you react in similar circumstances? Have you changed how you feel about them? Were you able to forgive them?
unknown
Report10points
#27
Write about an exercise you want to start doing daily.
Since hearing that famous "sitting is the new smoking" phrase (and probably before that), you might have considered including more exercise in your everyday life. What can you begin doing now or this week that you can sustain?
unknown
Report10points
#28
Write about a birthday memory that still makes you smile.
Maybe the first thing you noticed when you opened your eyes in the morning was a thoughtful, handcrafted surprise waiting for you on a dresser. Or your favorite breakfast was ready when you got downstairs. Describe anything you can remember in as much sensory detail as you can.
unknown
Report10points
#29
Track your moods.
A mood journal is a diary where you track your emotions by consistently observing and documenting your emotional state. To understand what causes your mood shifts and how to manage them, you may find it helpful to detect patterns in your emotions via this form of writing.
unknown
Report10points
#30
Make a list.
You can start off by making a list of anything, really. For example, the things you like to do each morning, new things you'd like to try in life, things you wish you had known sooner, or simply stuff you see in front of you.
unknown
Report9points
#31
Make a list of affirmations.
Positive affirmations help break negative thought patterns and create a new pathway for happy thoughts in your brain. Affirmations could be about anything important to you, including your personal growth, work, finances, and relationships.
unknown
Report9points
#32
List what you’re grateful for.
Start by listing one thing for which you are thankful, then keep adding more. Pretty soon, you’ll have a mood-boosting gratitude list you will find incredibly uplifting, especially on days you feel like nothing is going your way.
unknown
Report9points
#33
Compliment yourself.
Presume that you have been asked to write a compliment for someone, but that someone is actually you. This is a unique approach to cultivating self-love.
unknown
Report9points
#34
Write down your morning routine.
You must follow certain morning rituals, even if you don't always do everything exactly the same way. What new habits would you like to include in your morning routine to improve how your day starts?
unknown
Report9points
#35
Journal about a milestone you’ve reached or one you’re working toward.
Pick an achievement that has helped you get closer to your personal objectives. Are you there yet? If not, how far away are you from achieving it, and what must you do each day to progress?
unknown
Report9points
#36
Describe your perfect day.
Write a detailed account of the whole day in your journal, from getting up in the morning to going to bed that night. Also, underline the specific things that made the day perfect. Could you implement them more often?
unknown
Report9points
#37
Write about the food you’ve eaten and what you will eat today.
Try incorporating sensory descriptions in your journal to encourage yourself to continue practicing mindfulness even when eating. Whether you're beginning a new diet or not, it can be beneficial to maintain a thorough record of everything you've eaten and planned to consume in the coming hours.
unknown
Report9points
#38
Write a letter to someone who has passed.
Although it's not the same as telling that person what you wanted to say, putting it down in a notebook can offer some closure if you never got the chance to do so.
unknown
Report9points
#39
Write about a recent or distant memory.
Write in your diary about a memory that has popped into your mind, maybe due to a recent life event that reminded you of it. Whether or not it's pleasant, you could relish writing about it. Also, try to recollect as many sensory details as you can.
unknown
Report9points
#40
Describe what you’d do with 10% of your earnings if you had them ready in cash.
What would you buy and why if you were to withdraw 10% of one of your paychecks in cash for your own personal use? Describe how you would feel if you did this and how you would spend the money.
unknown
Report9points