Journaling can be beneficial for everyone, especially young people. It improves mental health and wellbeing by relieving stress and anxiety, and improves mood, as well as helping to process emotions. Here are some of the different types of journaling, as well as what you might need, tips to start, and the benefits of each specific type.
Bullet journaling.
Bullet journaling is a form of journaling that involves creating journal pages, or journal spreads. The journal is usually divided up into the months of the year. Pages could include a daily or weekly schedule, to-do lists, habit trackers, mood trackers, reading logs, or bucket lists.
To start bullet journaling, all you need is a notebook and a pen. Many people like to use dotted notebooks, but any notebook works. Optionally you could use stickers and washi tape, highlighters, or coloured pens. You could also add calligraphy, doodles, or drawings.
Some tips for bullet journaling are starting simple, finding inspiration online, and staying consistent.
The key benefits of bullet journaling include increased creativity and productivity, organisation, mindfulness, and, like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Bullet journaling is a great option because of its flexibility and adaptability. There’s no strict way to bullet journal, do whatever works for you!
Daily journaling.
Daily journaling is a form of journaling that involves journaling using prompts on a daily basis. Prompts could include things like ‘What am I grateful for today?’ Or more interesting things like ‘What would I say to my favourite singer if I had the chance to meet them?’ However, you don’t have to use journaling prompts if you don’t want to. If you’d prefer, you can write about your day and the thoughts and feelings you experienced.
To start daily journaling, all you need is a notebook and a pen. You can create your own prompts, or you can find them online.
Some tips for daily journaling are setting a time to journal every day, being honest, and staying consistent. I recommend starting with a few minutes per day and working your way up.
The key benefits of daily journaling include mental health improvement, memory improvement, and like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Daily journaling is a great option because of its huge positive impact on your well-being. It has been proven to relieve anxiety and help manage symptoms of depression. Find more information about the health benefits of journaling here: The Mental Health Benefits of Journaling | Psych Central, Why journaling your thoughts could actually make you a happier person | Stuff.
Gratitude journaling.
Gratitude journaling is a form of journaling that involves regularly writing down things you are grateful for. This could be big events, such as getting a job, or smaller ones like a delicious lunch, a fun sports practice, or a conversation with a friend.
To start gratitude journaling, all you need is a notebook and a pen.
Some tips for gratitude journaling are being specific and focusing on two or three things instead of a whole list.
The key benefits of gratitude journaling include improved mood, more sleep, and like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Gratitude journaling is a great option because it focuses on positivity, and improves your mental health.
Art journaling.
Art journaling is a form of journaling that’s a mix of a journal and a sketchbook. It may include writing, drawing, painting, collages, and other forms of visual art. You can record your thoughts and feelings in writing as well as visually.
To start art journaling, all you need is a notebook and pens, pencils, paints, or other art supplies. You may want to use a notebook that works well for paint. You could also use stickers, washi tape, paper, things cut out of magazines or printed.
Some tips for art journaling are experimenting with different mediums and materials, finding inspiration online, and stopping worrying about perfection.
The key benefits of art journaling include enhanced creativity, emotional expression, and like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Art journaling is a great option because there are no rules. There’s no strict way to art journal, do whatever works for you!
Junk journaling.
Junk journaling is a form of art journaling that involves using ‘junk’, such as found or recycled materials, paper, magazine cutouts, stamps, postcards, and tickets.
To start junk journaling, you only need a notebook, a glue stick or glue, and some junk.
Some tips for junk journaling are starting with materials you already have, creating themes, and embracing imperfection.
The key benefits of junk journaling include boosted creativity, preserved memories, and like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Junk journaling is a great option because there are no rules. There’s no strict way to junk journal, do whatever works for you!
Project journaling.
Project journaling is a form of journaling that involves documenting the progress and details of a specific project.
To start project journaling, you only need a notebook and a pen.
Some tips for project journaling are to write regularly and record goals, challenges and successes.
The key benefits of project journaling include being more organised, setting goals, and, like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Because of its specific benefits, project journaling is a great option.
Nature journaling.
Nature journaling is a form of journaling that involves recording observations of the natural world. It may include sketches or drawings.
To start nature journaling, all you need is a notebook and a pen.
Some tips for nature journaling are to add sketches, press leaves and plants inside, and Google information to write in along with your observations.
The key benefits of nature journaling include a better connection with nature and, like all forms of journaling, stress reduction. Nature journaling is a great option because it allows you to reconnect with the natural world and enhance your observational skills.
Which one should you start?
If none of the particular types of journaling stick out to you, you may like to consider which one would benefit you the most. Think about what you want to get out of journaling and which one you would enjoy. Remember, you may want to try a few different types before sticking with one.
How often should you journal?
It can vary with the different types of journaling, but in order to experience the benefits, you should aim to journal at least three times a week. However, it can be super beneficial to journal every day, and I highly recommend it. Try to set a certain time to journal, maybe before you go to bed, and journal for 5-15 minutes at that same time every day.
Whether you struggle with stress and anxiety, want to improve your mood, want a specific benefit from a certain type, or just think it would be fun, you should consider starting a journal. As someone who has been journaling daily for a few months, I highly recommend it. It has significantly improved my mental health and wellbeing, and I’m sure it will do the same for you.