Write it anyway

There are really two types of journalers. The inspired and the task-oriented. 

I am an inspiration-led journaler. If I’m feeling passionate and my spiral-bound journal is within arm's reach, I jot down my thoughts. But if I go a while without inspiration or don’t have my journal around when I’m inspired, I don’t journal. Which, yes, means sometimes I go weeks or months without writing an entry.

That is why the most emotional seasons of my life are well-documented. My emotions are the strongest catalysts for my inspiration and creativity. If I’m gushing with emotion, my first instinct is to journal. Ideally, it’s on paper, but these days, it’s often been in the notes app on my phone. 

Yeah, I’ll admit I’m mostly being lazy. Typing is just so much faster than writing. And especially if my mind is moving a mile a minute, it’s wayyyy easier to type than write. I am trying to write more with pen and paper, since I know it’s so good for my mind. 

Anyway, my journal entries are all about how I feel. So if I’m not feeling strongly, what’s there to journal about? 

The task-oriented journaler would know. They likely have a consistent routine of journaling. They, too, like to journal their feelings but are more disciplined than the inspired journaler. They might have a book of prompts or a daily devotion that structures their journal time. They often have a schedule. Perhaps it’s 5 minutes in the morning or right before they go to bed. Journaling is part of their routine, and they do it out of habit rather than relying on a blip of inspiration to get them going. 

I’ve tried to be a task-oriented journaler, but for me, it takes the joy out of it. It becomes more of a chore rather than an emotional release. For some people, tools like “The Five Minute Journal” are helpful ways to jog their minds. They like being given a topic to reflect upon. If that’s you, that’s awesome. 

But if you’re like me, and those self-help tools don’t spark inspiration and maybe even deter you from journaling, I’d love to offer you an alternative. 

If you don’t like journaling AT ALL, that’s ok too. You’re still welcome here, and I hope you keep reading ;) But also maybe… just maybe… you haven’t given it a fair chance. And hopefully, the trick I’m about to share with you will encourage you to give it another go. 

I’ve mentioned it a bit before, but I truly do see so much value in journaling. I think it’s something everyone could benefit from. It teaches us to put our thoughts and feelings into words. If you aren’t used to talking about your emotions, journaling can be a really great way to learn. I swear there has to be some sort of scientific explanation for it. Speaking as someone who used to bottle up her feelings, giving them words sets them free. And that feels so, so good. It’s like a weight off your shoulders. 

Needless to say, to the person reading this who doesn’t even own a journal because that’s how much they dislike it, this can be for you!

If I’ve gone a while without journaling or feel emotionally depleted, it can be hard to pick up my journal and know what to write about. So, if I want to journal but don’t know what to say, this is what I do. 

I quite literally write the phrase “I want to journal about something right now. But I don’t know what to write about.” 

It’s not always word-for-word, but the idea is to take the thought you’re having in your mind, right at that very moment, and write it on the paper.

I apply this same principle when I’m writing anything that I don’t know how to start. It could be a work email, a text to a friend, or a new chapter of my book. The first sentence is often the most intimidating part. Sometimes, we feel like it needs to be a perfect introduction or clearly set the stage for the paragraphs that follow. But let’s be so for real. It doesn’t! Not at the beginning of writing it, anyway.

When I experience writer’s block, this is how I get out of it. I just start writing my thoughts. Whatever pops in my head ends up on my paper. And if I’m writing something that will be published, or shared publicly, then guess what? There’s this wonderful part of the process called editing. That first sentence or even first paragraph doesn’t have to be in the final piece. It’s purpose is to get me started.

More often than not, all I have to do is write out that phrase above, and my pen keeps going. It might not end up being a long heartfelt journal entry (although it certainly can be!), but it accomplishes my goal of taking some time to journal. 

Of course, sometimes, I write that sentence out, and my mind is still blank. I might not have a topic, but this is where you keep going with the same principle. Maybe you continue by writing, “This is crazy. My mind is absolutely blank. I can’t think of a single thing worth writing out.” 

The goal is to keep going. If you’re really stuck, don’t focus on the content as much. You might read back a whole page of random thoughts about how you have no clue what to journal. 

But you still accomplished something. You translated your thoughts into words. And I’m giving you a big virtual high five because truthfully, that can be so hard. The more you do it, the easier it gets. 

Inevitably, when you get stuck and don’t know what to write, go back to the basics. Whatever comes to mind, put on paper and let it take you wherever it goes. Just like this:

I want to write, but I don’t know about what. 

I often think about a day when my schedule is entirely on my terms, doing what I love to do. 

Like, instead of driving to my corporate admin job, I drive to a coffee shop or my local library. 

And instead of doing work I’m not the least bit passionate about, I spend the afternoon working on a creative project that fills my heart. 

And instead of driving home drained, I’d drive a short distance home fulfilled. 

I’m not sure if a day like that will ever come, but I’ll keep imagining it. 

I do struggle to keep myself on track and productive when I’m working from home. But as long as I have a destination to work at and a list of to-dos, I think I could manage my time well. 

Perhaps it’s nothing more than a daydream. 

But a sweet one, nonetheless. 

Like what I’m doing right now–journaling out my thoughts. 

It’d be pretty cool if my job involved writing like this.

Or something more creative anyway.

Hmm I guess that’s all I have to say about that. 

I hope this helps or at least gives you a new way to think about journaling. :)

Remember, you are loved by God, wonderfully made, and beautifully you. Don’t let someone else’s voice speak louder than what’s true.

Until next time…

hugs,

Kylie