Writing in Yellow: A Guide to Journaling Your Best Life
This Notebook November, use this guide to kickstart your journaling journey and live your best life
November 13, 2024
Writer: Marion Karp
Editors: Dani Eder & Ava Malkin
Photo: Pinterest
Perhaps you are familiar with the age-old proverb: a problem shared is a problem cut in half. While we often assume this means talking about stressors with someone else, sometimes the best listener is a pen and paper. Journaling, touted as the holy grail of self-wellness and emotional growth, is praised for its therapeutic ability to ease an individual's mind and provide an emotional reset. If you find yourself in a rut, anxious, or just looking to brighten your days, journaling may be the next step you can take to live your best life.
You might be surprised at how many people avoid journaling because starting feels so daunting. The biggest hurdle is often picking up the pen. My beginning was awkward, uncomfortable and felt immature, transporting me to my middle school English class days of mandatory ‘free write’. As I’ve become more experienced in journaling, I’ve picked up a few tips along the way that may help you transform this daunting and seemingly menial task into a substantial, transformative practice.
My number one piece of journaling advice: it's just you. There is no one to impress. There is no right way to journal. The beautiful thing about a journal is that it is uniquely and unapologetically your space to freely express whatever you desire. Many struggle with making journaling meaningful because there is pressure to engage in a ‘correct’ way that will garner specific results. In my journaling journey, I believed that only ‘meaningful’ topics of appropriate depth deserved my attention, turning the practice into more of a chore than a reward. This required a mindset shift: my journal was essentially a friend I could talk to as long as I wanted about absolutely anything without annoying them (I promise that’s not as crazy as it sounds!) No rules, no constraints, and no judgment.
Even if you know no one is reading your journal, internalizing this fact can be difficult. The 7-minute exercise can be helpful. Setting a 7-minute timer and simply challenging yourself to write without stopping is freeing. You will be surprised at how much can flow out of you when you escape the inhibitions of needing to perform or impress yourself. It's just you and your words.
How you view the practice is also critical. A good journaling experience is an act of self-care and self-prioritization. So relax, play some good background music, light a candle, and indulge in your favorite treat because you deserve it. By carving out a dedicated time for yourself, you send a powerful message of self-worth, even if you don’t have a life-changing epiphany in your writing. You show yourself that you are worthy of self-love and care. This simple habit gradually reinforces a mindset where you see yourself as a priority, helping you make decisions that honor your well-being as you move through life.
The physical component of journaling is also key, offering a much needed break from the overstimulation of screens that consume our daily lives. By putting your phone away for a few moments to journal, you create a space to reset from the endless dopamine spikes of constant notifications and stimulation, allowing your mind to recharge—a simple, powerful way to restore balance.
Finally, the infamous writer’s block. You've gotten in bed, lit your favorite candle, and pulled out your journal…and crickets. People have the perception that journaling is strictly for recounting daily events or venting, but it can also be a space to dream and romanticize your future. Putting your aspirations into paper is extremely rewarding, enhancing your creativity and intrinsic motivation. If that still feels awkward, try the Rule of 5. When I am drawing a blank I start by writing about 5 of any positive thing. 5 things I am grateful for, 5 things I love, 5 things I want to achieve, 5 of anything. The next time you pick up your journal, start with the rule of 5 - the words practically write themselves.
Additionally, the resources available on the internet are infinite. Social media creators such as @Elirallo are posting a journaling prompt for every day of November. Check it out and see how many resources are available to support you on your journaling journey.
As we enter the dark and cold winter months, engaging in concrete practices to enhance your life is vital. This November is Notebook November. I challenge you to journal for the next 30 days. Sessions can be as short as 10 minutes. Create your journaling playlist, get your favorite treat, and start with a list of everything you hope this November brings you. You have control over your life and the power to change it- practices such as journaling allow you to visualize your ideal reality and know that you are playing your part in creating your best life.
