Journaling in your 20s can be a useful tool to discover yourself. It offers chances for you to look inward and notice habits and patterns that make you, you.
Three years ago, I rediscovered journaling. On the days and nights I needed an outlet, I scribbled on pages.
Over time, my entries have become benchmarks for growth. I’ve evolved from the girl who struggled to name her emotions to a woman who feels them.
Writing in a journal is more than a hobby to me. Indeed, I enjoy gifting my friends notebooks. It fills me with joy when they say they’ve begun to write.
Today, I’ll be sharing a beginner-friendly guide to journaling in your 20s.
What is Journaling All About?
If you’re on the craft part of the internet, you’ve probably come across journaling. Although a lot of people mix up journals and diaries, they are not the same.
Journaling is a practice that allows you to pen your thoughts and reflections either by hand or digital means. While diaries are more focused on daily entries, journals are more flexible.
Studies show that expressive writing helps to reduce the stress and anxiety you feel in your 20s.
Writing can be an outlet to express most of the feelings you bottle up inside. Likewise, it could also be fun.
You can write about your goals, things that bring you joy, or stories that move you. The page is all yours.
Benefits of Journaling in Your 20s
There are times when being in your 20s feels like everyone is going somewhere while you’re standing still. You’re in focus, yet everything around you is a blur.
Many of us struggle to know who we are. Meanwhile, journaling bridges that gap. You go through old entries and realise how much you’ve always disliked shady people.
Asides from increasing your self-awareness, here are a few other benefits that make journaling worth trying.
– It reduces stress and anxiety.
– It provides an outlet for your emotions.
– It improves your memory and lowers blood pressure.
– It provides a record of your progress.
A review by Baikie and Wilhelm found that journaling for 20 minutes per day over a few sessions led to 47% fewer stress-related doctor visits.
7 Types of Journaling for Beginners
One of the fascinating things about journaling is that there isn’t one way to do it. You can choose to fill pages with gratitude, doodles, or simple reflections about your life.
If you’ve ever wondered where to start (or if you’re looking for new ideas), these journaling styles can help you find what feels right for you.
Reflective Journaling
This is a practice of writing about your life’s experiences to learn from them. It involves critical analysis to identify how events have affected your self-development.
Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude journaling helps you focus on things in life you appreciate. Writing about the birds singing or the delicious lunch you had helps you develop a greater sense of gratitude.
Junk Journaling
Junk journals contain collages of random items from your life. You can repurpose magazine cutouts, receipts, or tickets to decorate the pages of your notebook.
Travel Journaling
This is a way to creatively document the feelings and experiences you had on a trip. Your travel journal can include words, quick sketches or little keepsakes like photos and tickets.
Reading Journaling
A reading journal allows you to record your reading experiences. Reflecting on the books I read helps me remember my precise feelings long after I’ve moved on from them.
Faith Journaling
This writing practice allows you to explore your spiritual beliefs and experiences. It gives you space to connect with God and reflect on your spiritual journey.
Art Journaling
Art journaling involves using art and journaling elements to create a visual diary. With doodles, sketches, and paintings, you can express yourself on the pages of your journal.
How to Start Journaling (A Step-by-Step Guide)
Journaling isn’t only about writing to track your progress. It is a powerful tool that allows you to process the happenings of your 20s in a private space.
I began journaling years ago to make sense of things going on in my life. However, what started as a few random scribbles has grown into a small stack of notebooks.
If you’ve been looking to get into journaling, here are some tips to help you.
Step 1: Choose your medium.
Would you prefer to journal by hand or on an app?
Although physical journaling can be time-consuming, it helps slow your mind down. Studies show that writing by hand strengthens the brain’s capacity and enhances creativity.
Step 2: Create a simple routine.
Say you decide to write before bed each night. You could place your journal by your bedside, and before you sleep, write a few thoughts about your day. Don’t overcomplicate it.
Step 3: Decide what you want to write about.
Are you writing to process your feelings or track your goals? Making a decision helps you journal with purpose. If you would need tools or supplies to get started, you can gather them beforehand.
Step 4: Make use of prompts.
If you’re not sure where to begin, try using prompts to get started. Blank pages can be intimidating, but they don’t have to be. A few prompts include:
“The five things I’m grateful for today are…”
“Right now I feel…”
“What am I proud of this week?”
“What book/movie/song stood out to me this month?”
Step 5: Don’t hold yourself back.
Journaling is a means of expression, so there’s no need to aim for perfection. It’s your space to be honest, so don’t worry about grammar or refined sentences.
Also Read: Journaling Prompts for Sunday Resets
How Journaling Helps You Understand Yourself
Writing things down helps you notice what’s really going on within. It also offers insights into your triggers and patterns over time.
Occasionally, journaling is my form of therapy. Moments I can’t share with others are tucked between the sleeves of my notebook. This has taught me to trust myself and be more confident in the decisions I make.
Right now, I’m an advocate of journaling because I know how much it has helped me. I often tell my friends the same thing: write. Just write.
Simple Ways to Make Journaling a Habit
According to Margarita Tartakovsky, journaling for just a few minutes every day turns it into a stress-relieving, sustainable habit.
If journaling feels intimidating, you are not alone. The trick is to turn it into an activity you enjoy. You don’t have to write every day. That’s what keeps most people away.
A few ways to turn it into a welcome habit include:
– Setting realistic expectations and writing short journal entries.
– Looking forward to themed writing days such as Motivation Monday, Thankful Tuesday, etc.
– Pairing journaling with an existing habit, like writing during your lunch break.
– Choosing mediums that make you yearn to write.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need fancy pens or perfect sentences to get started with journaling. If you’re interested and willing to be honest, write.
