What To Write In A Daily Journal + How To Get Started Journaling

Table of Contents

Things To Write In A Journal Everyday

Looking for things to write in your daily journal? Or ideas on how to journal everyday? Daily journaling can be a great way to reflect on your day, organize your thoughts and feelings about what happened, or it can be a place for you to vent when you’re feeling down.

Feeling down? Check out these journal prompts for self love.

No matter what you’re looking for, there are some ideas and prompts that might help get your creative juices flowing!

First, let’s look at how to start journaling daily and why you’ll love it!

How To Start A Daily Journal

It’s easy to start a daily journal- pick up a journal online or from a local store. I have several printable journals with prompts available in my shop. You could use one with prompts, use some of my prompts below or make your own up!

There are no wrong answers when it comes to writing in your daily journal – the important thing is that it helps you process and reflect on your day and how you’re feeling.

Here are some tips on how to start a daily journal:

1. Start small. Try writing for 10 to 15 minutes every day about whatever comes to mind.

2. Write first thing in the morning. Before you do anything, write a few lines down in your journal because that’s when your mind is most clear and able to focus on what you are trying to accomplish.

3. Try to be consistent. Even if you feel stressed, angry, confused, frustrated, discouraged or otherwise upset while journaling, try not to skip this important step of “clearing your mind” before you move on with your day.

4. Find your form. For some people it may be easier to put their thoughts into words by typing them on a computer rather than writing them out by hand. While others enjoy the old-fashioned pen and paper method. Do whatever feels best for you

5. Try different types of journals. There are many different types of journals – gratitude journal, manifestation journal, law of attraction journal, personal development journal, shadow work prompts, self improvement journaling, journaling for mental health and self reflection.

Not sure where to start? Check out my journal course for help

Benefits Of Keeping A Daily Journal

There are many benefits of daily journaling: increased mindfulness, reflection, releasing emotions, setting goals and more.

Journaling can be a powerful tool in dealing with mental and emotional distress. It’s a great way to start your day or wind down at night.

Daily journaling can also help you heal from last trauma.

Journaling about traumatic events seems to help because it changes our focus, allowing you to re-visit the experience but with a different perspective.

Writing also increases brain activity and releases hormones that can improve your mood. Writing for 20 minutes a day for three consecutive days appears to be enough to produce benefits.

Other benefits of journaling include:

* Research has found that people who keep journals have better health habits than those who don’t, including eating a healthier diet and exercising more.

* Journaling helps self-expression and interpersonal communication. It can provide insights into problems that may be masked by other behaviors.

* Academic success is often improved by journaling, especially when students learn how to use it properly for reflection before writing their thoughts down on paper (source)

* Journaling also helps in stress management, grief processing, overcoming traumas or crises, identifying personal values; improving relationships; coping with medical procedures; dealing with hurtful memories; giving structure to time; exploring career options; making decisions about life changes like education or employment; facilitating forgiveness of others or oneself and more.

What To Write In A Daily Journal

These prompts are just a starting point, so feel free to mix and match or come up with your own ideas. The most important thing is that you find a routine that works for you, and makes it easy for you to reflect on your life. You should enjoy the process. Happy writing!

Creative Things To Write About In Your Daily Journal:

What was the best thing that happened today?
What was the worst thing that happened today?
What were your thoughts and feelings about today’s events?
Did you do anything new or exciting today?
Who did you talk to today, and what did you talk about?
Was there something that bothered or frustrated you today? If so, why?
What was your favorite part of the day?
How do you feel right now?
What are your plans for tomorrow?
What did I do today that made me happy?
What was the best thing about my day?
What was the worst thing about my day?
Did something interesting happen today?
Who was I with today and what did we do together?
How did I make someone else’s day better today?
Was there anything I resisted doing today? Why?
What was my favorite thing I ate or drank today?
What were some of my thoughts today?
What did I learn today?
How did I make someone’s day worse today? Ouch. . . that doesn’t feel good. . . time to reflect and apologize if needed.
If it rained today, what would be the silver lining?
What’s something I am grateful for today?
If my day were a song, what would the lyrics be like?
Was there anything that happened today that reminded me of someone else in my life? What does it say about our relationship and how we interact with each other?
Did I do or say anything to make myself feel bad today, without realizing it at the time? If so, why did this happen and can I take steps to prevent it from happening again in the future?
If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be and why? What steps will you take to bring this about if possible (and realistic)?
If there were no constraints in life (such as time, money, food etc.) how would you spend your days?

If you’re looking for more prompts, check out this list of 365 creative journaling prompts:

Here are some things I write in my daily journal

What I ate
Workout plans
Thoughts on the day
People or things that piss me off and how to deal with them
People or things that make me happy
Meditation tips to use in the future
Gratitude lists
Writing ideas
Dreams or goals for the next day/week/month etc.
An overview of your day including what you ate, who you talked to, and what events took place
Thoughts on a book or article I read recently
A list of things I’m looking forward to in the upcoming week
My thoughts on a current event or news story
A prayer or affirmation for the day
A sketch or painting of something that happened that day
‘Today’ was a good/bad/average day. Why?
I write down five things you’re grateful for today
‘What I would have done differently if I knew then what I know now’ type entry about different choices throughout your day. . . could get interesting, reflective, and introspective!
A letter to myself about my day, feelings, thoughts etc. (could be sealed and opened at a later time for further reflection)
I write down three goals you want to accomplish tomorrow
‘If I could have one wish granted it would be…’ entry
What did I learn today?
A playlist of songs that I heard that I love! :)
Sometimes I just whatever comes to mind.
If today were my last day, what would be the one thing I would want to do before it ended?
What are my top three strengths and how can I use them to help myself or others today?
If I could have one wish granted, what would it be?

Wrapping Up: What To Write About In Your Daily Journal

That’s all for now! 🙂 Will probably add more later. . . but this is a good start. The idea is to get started and keep at it.

Keeping a daily journal can really help you clear your mind, relax and reflect as well as set goals for the future! My favourite type of journaling lately is manifestation and every day I try to write down the things I am manifesting.

What do you like to write about in your daily journal? Let us know in the comments! :)

Happy journaling! :)