There really is no wrong way to journal, but I personally never took to the stream of consciousness, "morning pages"-style journaling. I've found that if I have a bit more structure, I can stick to it more easily. For instance, I've been doing some variation of Lynda Barry's daily diary for more than a year now. This video is the simplest version. Instead of a timer, I journal for four songs: 7 things I did, 7 things I saw, one quote and one drawing. Her books have a lot more variations, too.
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Linked :) Incredible list of prompts
I would also recommend Lynda Barry’s daily diary four-square method (attached below) or any Lynda Barry… her book Syllabus is full of inspiration! As an on and off journaler, that’s the approach I’m able to stick with most consistently because I have a difficult time with narrative journaling but love making lists! It helps me to tune in and be present each day so I have something to write about.
Can be helpful to set a timer for 5 minutes or a number of pages you want to write and just do stream of consciousness. Morning Pages is a method from the Artist’s Way and you write three pages every morning about anything but you have to fill three pages.
And lastly, if you’re religious/spiritual at all, you might be interested in Two Way Prayer.
Apr 22, 2024
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i have a couple of different things i like to do:
1. reflect on the day through the senses - make a chart of things you saw, ate, smelled, touched, etc.
2. write/brain dump immediately you wake up, aka “morning pages” i tend to write a lot about my dreams from the night before and i remember them better
3. i feel like i journaled more when i let myself write in word bubbles, doodle, free association, etc.
4. subscribe to moonlists.com really great reflective journal prompt email newsletter
May 10, 2024
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i have been journaling for around 3 years now on and off. i've found that sitting myself down and forcing myself to write is the absolute WORST way to go about it because that's how you make it a chore. if you want to make journaling a habit, try writing a sentence a night about whatever you want: what you're grateful for, how you feel, the last thing you ate etc. i feel like once it becomes habitual, that's when inspiration will strike. of course there might be better advice but i hate following strict rules / prompts imo because things like this are supposed to be creative! hope this helps a lil :)
Apr 1, 2025
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“Wanna be friends?” is an underutilized tactic in adulthood. Kindergarteners know what’s up.
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This is a type of walk I do almost every day. Walk in one direction until you hit a stoplight. Then immediately turn and walk in the new direction until you hit a stoplight and repeat until you get back home.
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I’m that open minded bitch
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