Basic Counseling Skills
  • Home
  • A. TECHNIQUES
  • Pattern of Sessions
  • Active Listening
  • Body Language
  • Asking Questions
  • Paraphrasing/Tone
  • Summary
  • Note Taking
  • Homework
  • Goodie Bag/Fun Stuff
  • Technique References
  • B. THEORIES
  • Client Centered
  • Holistic/Biopsychosocial
  • Strengths Based
  • Cognitive/Behavioral
  • Solution Focused
  • Existential Therapy
  • Letting Go
  • Theory References
  • C. SAMPLE SESSIONS
  • 1. Client Centered Counseling
  • 2.&3. No Show/Cancellation
  • 4. Strengths Based
  • 5. Cognitive Beh. Counseling
  • 6. Holistic Health Counseling
  • 7. Solution Focused
  • 8. Existential Counseling
  • 9. Becoming Unnecessary
  • D. SELF HELP
  • Journaling
  • Mood Mapping
  • Whole Health Check In
  • Community Resources
  • Ten Things I Like About Me
  • Common Lies We Tell
  • Goal-Setting
  • A Why to Bear a How
  • Happy People
  • Self-Help References
  • E. CONTINUING EDUCATION
  • F. SITE MAP
  • G. CONTACT ME!
  • H. Readers Contributions
    • Articles >
      • Addiction and Sleep - Jessica S >
        • Alcohol Counseling - Carol G.
        • Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
        • Quit Smoking and Alcohol Rehab
        • Reducing Stigma - Patricia S.
        • Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W
        • Recovery Village - William B.
        • Bereavement Counseling - Sally W
        • Personality Traits - Sally W
        • 3 Solutions to Worst Fears - Paige M
        • 30 Min Reduce Anxiety - Paige M
        • Restorative Power of Arts & Crafts - Sally W
        • 3 Ways - Rid of Sunday Scaries
        • Conquer Fear of Flying - Sally W.
        • Document Anxiety through Journaling - Sally W
        • Career Options - Sally W
        • School Counselor ToolKit - Serena K.
        • Psychology Degrees - Lindsay F
        • Depression and Addiction Rehab - Katherine C
        • Diagnosing Depression - Melissa M
        • PostPartum Depression - Tracey F
        • Assisted Living Options for People with Disabilities
        • Wheelchair Home Safety - Michael M
        • Cerebral Palsy Resources
        • Counseling and Persistent Pain - Sally W
        • Mesothelioma Guide - Corine F.
        • Mesothelioma Resources
        • Finding Start Up Success - Eva B
        • Cleaning House for Better Health - Cheryl C.
        • Destress/Clean Home - Cheryl C
        • Financial Stress - Sally W.
        • Financial Debt - Sally W
        • Be Happy - Hazel G.
        • Gut Health & Mental Health - Sally W
        • How Having a Skincare Routine
        • Counseling the Impoverished - Sally W
        • Conquering Interviews - Eva B
        • Daily Journal Routine - Paige M
        • 4 Journaling Tips for Beginners - Shristi Patni
        • Drug Dangers - Rebecca P.
        • Recall Report - Laura P.
        • Living Mindfully - Mollie Wilson
        • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - Sally W.
        • Couns. Resources - Tim C.
        • Practical Financial SKills - Johanne H
        • Nutrition to Help Anxiety - Sally W
        • Retirement Career Change - Sally W
        • Managing Phobias - Sally W
        • Healing Power of Pets - Sally W
        • Geriatric Counseling - Sally W
        • Counseling Seniors with Anxiety - Sally W
        • Senior Resources - Claire S.
        • Addiction and Sleep - Jessica S
        • Better Sleep - Better Health - Cheryl C
        • Treating Insomnia - Sally W
        • Tuck Sleep - Kellen S
        • De-Fogging Brain - Sally W
        • Recovery from Sports Injury
        • Improving Mental Clarity - Sally W
        • Indoor Air Quality Can Affect Mental Health - Sally W
        • Stress on Health - Sally W.
        • Stress Management - Sally W
        • Suicidal Thoughts and Alcohol Abuse - Julia W
        • Summer Side Gigs for Teachers - Joyce W
        • Tobacco in 2017 - Mary G.
        • Take Control of Your Life - Dorothy Watson
        • No More Winter Blues - Rufus Carter
        • How I Put Anxiety Attacks on Pause
        • 8 Effective Tips for Improving Mental Health - Camille Johnson
        • Manage And Reduce Stress For Your Employees With These Tips - Rufus Carters
        • Moving Forward When Grief Intrudes in Your Life - Camille J
        • Working Remotely - Emma Grace Brown
        • Unlock Greater Confidence - Rufus Carter
        • Coping With a Mid-Life Crisis - Rufus Carter
        • 6 Self-Care Tips - Laurie Abner
        • Help a Loved One After the Loss of a Spouse - Rufus CarterNew Page
        • Relocating After a Tragic Loss - Lucille Rosetti
        • Guidelines for Teens Who Want to Thrive as Entrepreneurs - Lucille Rosetti
        • 5 Common Lifestyle Habits That Can Cause Skin Damage - Andrew Mark
        • What to Do if a Loved One Is Battling Addiction
        • From Addiction Recovery to Financial Independence
        • Major Life Transition - Ryan Randolph
        • Find Your True Path - Ryan Randolk
        • Officers Coping With PTSD - Ryan Randolph
        • Self-Care Secrets for the Rookie Caregiver - Ryan Randolf
        • Self-Care Building Blocks for Improving Your Mental Health - Cheryl Conklin
        • Avoiding Burnout in the Counseling Profession
  • Reset Your Day Without Burning Out
  • The Big 6 Personality Traits
  • When Everything Breaks, Something Begins - Holli Richardson

4 Journaling Tips For Beginners - Shristi Patni 

If you’re just starting out or are struggling to journal every day, it’s best to forget the usual advice. In this article, I will share my top journaling tips for beginners.

Sometimes, I write tips and how-to posts that really work for me. Then a couple weeks later, all my good habits start falling apart.

In fact, there are days I feel hypocritical writing about journaling. You see, I don’t always maintain a perfect writing streak. 

Just like all of you, I often get distracted by the little things in life. 

But, here’s the thing you really need to understand: journaling isn’t a hobby, it’s a habit. You can’t just journal when you feel good. 

It’s the habit you develop that you need the most when you’re feeling depressed or anxious. And you don’t need to beat yourself up whenever you’re unable to write. 

Journaling is an excellent check-in tool. There are some seasons in your life when you feel motivated or balanced and you even have your priorities straight. 

On the other hand, there are times when you feel stressed and life seems pointless. 

But, the value of journaling can only be seen when you stick with it especially during the ups and downs.

Here are some of the best journaling tips that have helped me in real life.

#1. Keep a Traditional JournalWriting on a piece of paper forces you to slow down. It also helps relieve stress. 

I know a lot of people who prefer journaling online. However, I love using a traditional, hard-bound journal. 

The trick is to be self-aware. Jot down your thoughts as and when you feel comfortable. Use art, doodles and sketches to express your emotions.

#2. Start Small and Be RealisticIt’s important to be realistic especially when you’re building a new habit. 

Don’t think of writing a page or two every day. There are days when even half a page will seem like a dreadful task. 

For such days, I like to keep it precise. 3-4 lines of journaling help me get through such days. You can also start with 1-2 lines. What matters when you start writing is that you write to form a habit. 

Once you get used to it, it will become a part of your routine. 

#3. Practice Gratitude

There are going to be days when you will have writer’s block. Doing so helps you lift your spirits and gets your thoughts flowing again. 

The best part is that it’s not complicated. You can start with things that are in front of you — your pets or your terrace garden. Next, describe your emotions in detail. Try to focus on a few things rather than filling up the page with a lot fof things. 

Allow yourself to feel every emotion as you write. 

The practice of gratitude journaling has been life-changing for some people. It has proven to help you navigate through stressful situations and even toxic relationships. 

Ask yourself: “Despite all the bag things, what can I learn from this difficult day?” 

This simple question will change your whole perspective and help you live a happier life. 

#4. Make Journaling a PleasureYou should view journaling as a pleasure and not another thing to cross off your list. 

Invest in pretty stationary. Dab on your favourite perfume and brew your favourite tea before you start journaling. You can even turn on your favourite song and settle into a comfortable corner to get you in the mood. 

Associate these little indulgences with journaling so that they make your time a real pleasure. 

The TakeawayJournaling is an incredible tool that you can use to transform your life. These 4 journaling tips for beginners will help you form the habit of journaling. 

Remember to start small and feel the emotions as you write. Keep trying and hopefully, journaling will help you navigate your life. 

Author Bio: Shristi Patni 

Shristi is a content writer and owner of F and B Recipes. She enjoys snacking on Paleo Bars or taking a  Spiritual Bath when not writing. Formerly the Chief Content Officer at Raletta, she is currently working on her second cookbook. 
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