Last Updated on October 31, 2019 by Kate Darktea
Have you been writing your journal for several years? Are you feeling bored with your journal writing? Do you think you could get more from journaling?
I feel this way. I’ve written in my journal for close to 30 years. For many years it was off-and-on, but has become a daily habit over the last few years.
But, I’m wondering if I’ve fallen into a rut. I always journal just before I go to sleep and use the same format — a list of positive things from the day, followed by some free-writing if there is anything I want to record in more detail.
Over the years I used a variety of different journaling techniques. And I’ve developed a list of the ones which may help to reinvigorate my journaling.
- Draw a picture
- Create a mind map
- Follow a journaling book e.g A Year in the Life*, 52 List Project*
- Use a one word prompt
- Write at a different time of the day — for me this would be starting to write in the morning
- Write for a different length of time — I could go either very short e.g. 5 minutes or longer e.g. for at least 30 minutes
- Use a quote as prompt
- Pick something “ordinary” from the day and discuss it in detail
- Answer a short term future question e.g. where do I want to be next year, what if I did X
- Use a prompt connected to your mood e.g. Journal Wheel* (I used to own this book, I wonder if I still have it)
- Write about one thing that made the day a success
- Write about one thing you want to improve / change and answer why, and then why to that, and then why to that; using 5 whys in total.
- Do a brain dump of all the thoughts in your head
- Write what you’ve done that day to help you work towards a goal
- Write about something you’re worrying about from someone else’s perspective, or two or three people’s perspectives
- Work through a worry tree
Many years ago, I created a journaling ring binder. It had dividers for each day of the month, and each month, where I kept suggested journaling methods and prompts to use for each day. I even went as far as to use different colour ink for each type of exercise e.g. lists, free writing. I wouldn’t go back to using the different inks, but I am thinking about the different prompts for each day. Although, I’m also worried by introducing too much complexity / variety / choice may reduce the chance of me writing each day.
How have you reinvigorated your journal writing? How have you mixed up your writing style? If you’ve used a journalling book, how did it work for you?
*Disclosure – this post includes affiliate links. This means if you buy a product after following a link I will earn some money, but it does not cost you anything extra.
