The Beginner’s Guide to Journaling

The Beginner’s Guide to Journaling

There are so many things I wish I had known before I got into journaling, so I wanted to put together a guide for beginners! This is a fantastic guide to journaling for beginners!

Journaling can be a fun way to get your thoughts onto paper. I have been journaling for a few years, and while the concept sounds simple, it rarely is when you go to do it. There are so many things I wish I had known before I got into journaling, so I wanted to put together a guide for beginners! Here is my beginner’s guide to journaling to help you decide if it’s a good fit for you, and what you need.

beginner's guide to journaling

Related: 52 Journaling Prompts to Get You Started!

Step 1: Decide what kind of journaling you will be doing

People will start journaling for so many different reasons! You may want to create a journal where you write out your thoughts or take up Bible journaling which may incorporate drawing and handlettering. You may even decide to create a bullet journal to get more organized and plan out your day. There are so many different types of journals out there, so I wanted to give you a few ideas here:

  • Bullet journal
  • Dream journal
  • Food diary
  • Travel journal
  • Prayer journal
  • Gratitude journal
  • Garden journal
  • Bible journal

You may find that the best journal for you is a combination of all of these! If you’re not sure, grab a blank notebook and see what comes out when you start to journal.

guide to journaling

Step 2: Define the purpose of your journal

Journaling won’t ever become a habit or part of your routine if you don’t have a clear purpose for why you are journaling. If you are trying to create a planner out of your journal, then you may need to get more organized and your journal is helping you do that. If you are working on a gratitude journal, you may be using it to help remind you of the things you have to be grateful for. After you’ve chosen your journal, keep in mind your purpose for starting, and you’ll stick to it daily.

journaling

Step 3: Choose your journal

Know that you know what type of journal and the purpose for your journal, it’s time to actually choose the right journal for you. The first choice you need to make is whether you want a digital or physical journal. If you want a digital journal, then an app or a document on your computer may be the best option.

 If you are looking to do a bullet journal, or want a physical journal, then having a physical one might be a better option. While you can go out and buy a regular composition notebook, I challenge you to find a journal that you love and meets your needs. It might be a hardback journal with an inspirational quote or a spiral notebook.

journal

Related: How to Make Time for Self Care as a Busy Mom

Supplies you need to start journaling

Now that you have your journal and you know more about what you want to do, I thought it might be helpful to give you some of the supplies that are helpful when journaling. Depending on the type of journal, you may need more or less of these items.

Here are some of my favorite journaling supplies:

  • Pencils
  • Pens
  • Washi tape
  • Printables (for inserts in your journal)
  • Ruler
  • Pencil bag
  • Brush pens
  • Post-it Notes
  • Stickers
  • Paper clips
  • Whiteout
  • Journal prompts

No matter what kind of journaling you hope to do someday, I hope that this post gives you the inspiration to get started and tips to make your journaling dreams a reality.

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