One of my favorite things to do as a journaling coach is to help people understand how expansive journaling can be.
I’ve learned in the past year that we all think we know what journaling is - and while we’re right, we’re all (myself included!) way too limited in our scope.
Journaling can mean something different to each of us.
And journaling can look differently for each of us.
Our journaling can even look different from day to day - how I journaled today looked different than how I journaled yesterday. And no doubt my journaling will look different tomorrow!
That can be a very good thing.
Every time I teach a workshop or work with a client, people always voice that they’re scared to do it wrong. That there’s a “right” way to journal and they don’t want to journal unless they’re sure they can do it that way.
If this is you, if you’ve ever had this thought, let me put your mind at ease:
There is no wrong way to journal.
If what you’re doing is working for you, you are doing it right.
The way you journal doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s journaling for it to have value for you.
So have fun with it! Experiment. Try different techniques to get you started.
Need help? Try some of these:
Stream of consciousness writing - write whatever comes into your mind as you’re journaling. Have a thought? Put it on the page!
Dive into gratitude - make a list of what you’re grateful for and allow your self to feel the gratitude! Dive in deep by thinking about what you’re grateful for, why you’re grateful, and how you can show your gratitude.
How’re you feeling? Explore what you’re feeling now and write about what circumstances led you to where you are, how you feel about how you feel, and what you can do to either keep that feeling or change it entirely.
Set your intentions for the day. Keep reading for my favorite intention setting questions.
Especially when you’re building a journaling habit, it’s more important THAT you journal than HOW you journal.
Don’t be afraid to play and explore. With creativity and an open mind, you can find a way to journal that is exactly what you need today.
Did You Hear the News? My New Program is Here!
Better You, Better Business is an 8-week social journaling program designed to help entrepreneurs gain the time, space, and support to be a better you so you can focus on building a better business.
In a safe and supportive small group setting, we’ll work through journal prompts that help you hone in on the mindset, goals, habits, and systems you need to get ahead.
Not only will you make discoveries about yourself, but you’ll build community with others who are on similar journeys.
Participants in my groups can tell you this experience is magical.
Not only did journaling with Amanda and the group shift my relationship to writing, but also I connected with some amazing people on a surprisingly deep level. Amanda knows just how to hold space for a group like this. I think SHE is magic!
- Emily C.
[Amanda] does in fact create magic by helping you think through various journal prompts, asking insightful questions, and creating a safe, vulnerable space to share your thoughts. The connections I made with myself and the others in the class were meaningful, powerful and lasting.
- Cecily T.
Want to get a glimpse of what social journaling feels like?
Register here to join me for a free session on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 pm Eastern.
And if you’re ready to hear more about Better You, Better Business, I invite you to book a call with me!
Weekly Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week.
How are you feeling?
What is contributing to the way you’re feeling?
How can you change how you’re feeling?
How can you bring a little extra kindness into the world?
How can you take better care of yourself today?
One Journaling Idea I Love:
Setting intentions.
I love to use my journal in the morning to decide how and where I’m going to show up. It takes me usually just a few minutes and a handful of journal prompts to set me up to really do life on my terms.
These are my favorite journal prompts to use and I love how they help me look at my life as a whole. Feel free to borrow them or to use them as inspiration to create your own set!
What is the most important thing for me to do today?
How can I show up as my best me?
What does my soul need today?
How will I feed my mind today?
How will I take care of my body today?
Who do I need to connect with today?
Where You Can Find Me:
Did you catch me on a recent episode of the Career Competitor podcast? Check it out on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts .
I share journal related content on LinkedIn every day by 8 am Eastern. Visit me there for stories, journaling ideas, and more!
I have a website! Visit me at GoodThingsComeToThoseWhoJournal.com
I’m always reachable by email.
My teenagers are doing their best to avoid me on TikTok…
Happy Journaling!