If you are sitting with a blank page and thinking: “What on earth should I write?”, then you are not alone. It is one of the questions I am asked most often.
Short answer: You can write anything. But it becomes much easier if you have some concrete ideas to start with when inspiration doesn't strike.
15 IDEAS FOR WHAT YOU CAN WRITE IN YOUR JOURNAL
- What you have done today
- How you have been
- Something you are looking forward to
- Something that is on your mind
- Your goals
- A to-do list
- Things you are grateful for
- Ideas you won't want to forget
- Reflections on an experience
- Something you would like to change
- Your dreams
- Small everyday moments
- Something you are proud of
- Something you have learned
- Something you would like to get better at
When it comes to journaling, it is not all that important what you write down. It is much more about the actual writing process. Therefore, be careful not to place too many hard restrictions on yourself regarding what you are allowed to write in your journal.
USE QUESTIONS TO GET STARTED
If you get stuck, questions can be a real help. This is also called “journal prompts” and is a little trick to get the ball rolling when you're writing in your journal.
You can, for example, start from:
- What am I thinking about the most right now
- What has influenced my day
- What do I need
You can also find more ideas in our guide to Journal prompts. It can be a good idea to have a list (e.g. in your journal) of the prompts that suit you best, so you can easily return to them when you need a push.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO WRITE NEATLY
A journal is not something that has to be perfect. In fact, it is almost an advantage if you really go to town on the imperfection.
You are welcome to:
- write messily
- Jump in and out of things
- write short sentences and do doodles on the rest of the page.
It's your space. It's a safe space that you can use to clear your thoughts.
WHAT IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO WRITE
Then you just need to start very simply. Be careful not to complicate the task. You can just start with the sentence:
“I don't know what to write, but...”
And then it continues from there. It sounds a bit silly, but if you have thoughts running through your head, then there's also something you can put down on paper.
HOW DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT
If you want to keep going with journaling, make it easy for yourself.
- Set a goal for how much you want to write at a time. You need to be realistic. For example, 5 minutes.
- Choose a set time of day when it makes sense for you to sit with your journal (e.g. while eating breakfast or in the evening before you go to bed).
- Start small. Do not have the expectation that you can make a full journal spread with drawings, stickers, etc. every day. You don't need to do that at all to have a good experience.
You can read more here: https://planandplot.dk/hvordan-holder-man-fast-i-journaling/
WHICH NOTEBOOK DO YOU NEED
If you're missing the right notebook, you can find inspiration here:
You can also read our guide on, which notebook is best for a diary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you write in a journal?
You can write down thoughts, experiences, goals, reflections, or little notes from your everyday life. There is no right or wrong way to do it.
What do you write in a journal when you're starting out?
As a beginner, you can start by writing about your day, your thoughts, or how you're feeling right now. The most important thing is just to get started.
What if I don't know what to write in my journal?
I don't know what to write, but...
Do you have to write in your journal every day?
No. You don't need to write every day. The most important thing is that you return to it and find a rhythm that suits you.
Should a journal be pretty?
No. Your journal is only for you, so it's fine to be messy, imperfect and completely your own.
Can you write short notes in a journal?
Yes. You don't need to write long texts. Short notes and small thoughts are at least as valuable.
