Finding your groove with journaling

When I was younger, I kept a journal, but it was mostly just what I did that day, or anything I was looking forward to in the future. I have recently gotten back into journaling, but I am doing it a lot differently than I used to. 

Before you start to journal, you need to figure out how you want to do it and then get the supplies to do so. If you're not sure what kind of journaling you want to do, I would recommend experimenting. If you are going to experiment for a while before you see what you like the best, I would recommend getting a thick and tall notebook. Once you figure out what kind of journaling you want to do (i.e. prayer journaling, bullet journaling, art journaling, collage journaling, workout journal, or just idea journaling), go out and buy a journal that you both like and would work for what you want to do. The only real guidelines I use when picking out a new journal is to get a tall journal if you are going to do collage or art journaling. If you are doing collage journaling, I would recommend having some simple art supplies, such as colored pencils, crayons, markers, and a glue stick, and you can get more complicated supplies once you have found exactly what you want to do. 

Once you have a journal, you need to decide what you are going to fill it with. You most likely have an idea of what you want to journal about. Personally, I prayer journal, workout journal, idea journal, and collage journal. Before I tell you a general idea of what I do for your journal, I want to tell you that you will only get the most out of journaling if you find and decide what you like best. You won't get that much out of journaling if you try to mimic other's journals, and it will seem like someone else's work. Also, I don't have a separate journal for each type of journaling, they are all in the same notebook. 

For my prayer journal, I kind of talk to God about how I'm feeling, and ask for help with anything I might need help with. I find this part of prayer journaling the most relaxing because I can get my anger or frustration out and then ask for help with it. Other times, I read a spiritual book and then take notes in addition to reflecting on it.

In my workout journal, I talk about how I felt during my workout, and how I can do better with my in the future. I also make goals about my health and all about how I am doing with my previous goals.

When I idea journal, it usually starts out as normal journalling, and then I go on one of my crazy idea making rant things. I talk about my ideas for my blog, ideas to fix the political and school system, and just anything else that pops into my head.

When I collage journal, I definitely have the most fun. I get to create something out of nothing. I usually glue any receipt or paper thing that I have received that day, and then talk about it. Other times, I glue stuff in that has to do with a rant I'm going on. And then other times I do quote art or make a collage and then write about it.

In conclusion, I can't tell you how to do your journal. You need to find your own groove and decide what lets you express yourself best. Journaling is supposed to be about you and allow for self reflection. Also, never be conscience about what you write in your journal. Write whatever you want in your journal, and if you offend others with what you say, shame on them. They shouldn't read your journal.

Do you journal? If so, what type of journaling do you enjoy best? If you haven't journaled yet, what type interests you the most? Tell me it all in the comments below.