When you first start using a journal, it can seem like you will never run out of things to say. But for some people, they prefer having a specific topic in mind, instead of just doing a big brain dump on paper.
This ultimately leads to writers’ block, where you want to journal, but just don’t know what to write about and have trouble sticking to it every day. Well, these tips can help.
Use Journaling Prompts
This is probably the easiest way to find a topic to write about when you’re stuck. Journaling prompts come in many forms, and cover a wide range of topics. They might ask you a question about something that happened in your childhood, have you list your favorite things of a particular topic, or give you a short prompt of what to write about.
While they can seem overly simplified, it is not uncommon for a single journaling prompt to give you inspiration for many other journal entries.
Just Start Writing… About Anything
This is called stream of consciousness writing, where you don’t have any type of topic in mind. Remember that journaling is flexible, and there are no rules. You can write about anything you want. For this method, just put pen to paper and start writing the first thing that comes to mind. Then let your writing follow your train of thought, no matter where it takes you.
Doodle in Your Journal
Who says you have to write in your journal? You can express yourself and channel your thoughts and emotions with more ways than just words. When you are really stuck and just have no desire to write anything, grab a pencil or coloring pencil, and doodle in your journal.
Draw whatever comes to mind first, whatever shapes you feel, whatever crosses your mind. Having doodle pages throughout your journal is a great way to see how your mind and thought process changes day by day.
Read Past Journal Entries
Still feeling a little stuck? It might help to look back to where you have been. If you have been writing in your journal(s) for a while, you can look back at previous entries and read through them again. This might spark new ideas, or you might want to expand on what you wrote about before. Has the situation changed? Do you feel differently about it now? Those are great things to include in your journal.
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