Journaling Tips for Beginners

I once heard that you should appreciate your body because it’s the only “home” you’ll ever occupy. And one way of attending to the mind-body as home is to study it through the art of journaling.

To journal is an internal intake of the self. Some people use a journal as a vehicle for confession, confrontation, adoration, detachment, or any mix of spilling the mind’s guts. Journaling may take the form of a daily habit, an occasional retreat, or a once-a-year attempt.

Start small and set a timer

Start a timer to a suitable time frame that feels manageable to your current situation. For me, each morning, I set a 15-minute timer. You could aim for more or less time. However, what flows out of you during that swath of time may become a little surprising and magical.

Blank page jitters

With the blank page before you, start. Start anywhere.

But I have nothing to write, says at least one of you out there. Not true. Even in “nothing,” something is happening. I am not talking about chronicling your travels. You do NOT need to travel to Thailand, Bali, or New York or have some mountaintop experience to explore the essence of your life. Where you are is all you need.