Journaling Tips
Hey there everyone! As I was thinking about what to write for today’s post, an idea I had a while back came to mind. Over the past couple years, I’ve come to really enjoy journaling. It’s a great way to process my thoughts and feelings, record events, and chronicle what God is doing in my life. Today, I’d like to share with you some practical ideas for journaling as well as several different types of journals you can keep if this is something you enjoy!
Tips
Tip #1: Write when you are in the mood. And don’t force yourself to write if you don’t feel ready. It used to be difficult for me to keep a journal, probably because I put all sorts of strict rules for myself: I had to write each night, I had to record every detail of my life…boring! So, when you feel the need to process something, when there’s an event in your life you want to remember, when the Lord leads you in a special way—write it down. But if it’s an ordinary day and you feel like reading a book instead before you fall asleep, then go for the book. 
Tip #2: Get a journal and pen that you love. This helps so much with motivation. If you love vintage things, sparkles, or florals, then get a journal that reflects what you like. This may seem strange, but anyone who writes much by hand will testify to it: get a pen that is easy to write with! Not having to battle muscle cramp will make journaling much more enjoyable.
Tip #3: Make your journal a mini-scrapbook. I write poems (both mine and other’s), special Bible verses, and quotes in my journal. You can also include things like the program from a classical concert you enjoyed, your ticket from the museum you went to on vacation, a copied page of a devotional that spoke to your heart, a pressed flower, or a print photo of a day with your friends.
Other Journal Ideas
Prayer Journal
I sporadically use a prayer journal—usually at busy times, or when I am finding it particularly hard to concentrate. Pour out your heart to the Lord on paper. Sometimes, I’ve found that writing my prayers can feel forced, so this may not be for everyone. But it’s a blessing to look back and see how God has answered prayer, which brings me to my next idea.
Answered Prayer Journal
Maybe a prayer journal isn’t for you, but how about keeping a record of answered prayer? We serve a God Who hears and answers prayer. And it is Scriptural to keep a record of His goodness, especially to refer back to in times of trial. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings (Psalm 77:11-12). It’s also important to remember that “yes” is not the only answer God gives.
Scripture Journal
This would be something that accompanies your devotions. It works something like this: you read a passage of Scripture, then at the end write down what the Lord showed you from His word. You could write down a hymn of praise, or a special verse from the portion of Scripture you read that day. Another idea is Scripture journaling: writing out a portion of Scripture each day by hand. Another idea is to combine this journal and the two above into one “Devotional Journal”.
Gratitude Journal
I referred to this in last week’s post February Favorites. It’s another great way to remember the Lord’s goodness, and to acknowledge the countless blessings He gives us daily! You could combine this with the “answered prayer journal”.
Hobby Journal
Do you have a hobby you enjoy? Maybe some sort of craft such as sewing or needlework, or something like gardening or birdwatching? Do you enjoy reading or writing? Record your projects in a hobby journal! Include pictures, tips, how-to’s, and the date you completed your project. If you’re keeping track of the books you read, you could include a quote from each book, what you liked or disliked about it, and where you found the book. (I keep track of my reading in my regular journal.)
Travel Journal
For those who travel often, this can be a fun way to keep special memories. My mom keeps a record of all our camping trips, and it’s really enjoyable looking back on our adventures. “Oh, yeah, remember the time the storm was so windy that it tore the awning off the pop-up?” or “How about the trip where we got to tell three little girls in the nearest campsite about Jesus?” (Yes, those things really happened!) It’s also great for recording practical details that might be useful for future trips.
Hopefully, this gives you some ideas and inspiration for your journaling. I would love to hear any ideas you have, or the type of journaling you enjoy doing, so feel free to share in the comments below. Have a lovely weekend!
