Answers to your common journaling questions :) For a full list of all our FAQs as it relates to journaling, please refer to our FAQ page. Happy journaling!
Q: How do I start a journaling practice?
A: The most important part of starting is choosing a time that will work for you, the majority of days. For me, that's right before bed (I keep my journal and a pen on my nightstand). For someone else, that might be in the morning over coffee or as an afternoon break. Our Anytime Reflection Journal is designed to be easy-to-use and quick - you don't need a lot of time but you do need a commitment and desire. When first starting out, challenge yourself to journal everyday for one week (set a reminder in your calendar if you need to). This will help you get into the practice of journaling. Set aside a few minutes (try 5-minutes and go from there). You can write in complete sentences, stream-of-consciousness or in bullets for each prompt - do what feels best for you so that it will be easier to stay consistent.
Q: How often should I journal?
A: Consistency is key when it comes to journaling (or anything, for that matter). The more consistent you are with journaling, the more lasting benefits you'll experience! I recommend journaling at least 4 times per week on average (I typically journal 4 - 6 x per week).
Q: I'm nervous to write down my thoughts in my journal. What if someone reads it? What should I do?
A: I'm a big believer in getting all that's in your head - out! In my experience, that's how you'll experience the most benefits of journaling. Do what you need to do in order to achieve this - is it writing in your journal and then immediately tearing out and discarding the page? If you're using a digital version, is it typing it all out and then deleting? Is it hiding it in your underwear drawer? Do what you need to do, mama!
Q: What do I do when I'm done with my journal?
A: This is very much a personal preference. Some people like to keep their journals as a keepsake (whether they look back on them or not) while other people discard their journals when they're done. If you decide to keep your journal, you can refer back to it to see how far you've come (or not, if this makes you uncomfortable)! If you'd like to discard your journal, our journals can be recycled - tear out and shred the interior pages. I personally love to keep mine for awhile as a tool for reflection.
Let me know if you have any other questions that you'd like answered, either in the comments below or by emailing me at hello@blissd.co.
