Arts and Creativity Editor Laura Molloy discusses journaling and how it can help to create new habits in the New Year
A new year is here, and new habits are waiting to be formed - or so we’re told. Students may feel an overwhelming pressure to begin compiling a list of resolutions (that they’re perhaps unlikely to stick to) focused on breaking every bad habit they possess, or adopting a stringent exercise routine. What you may instead find useful is forming a new habit that gives you the space to be mindful and creative. Journaling provides this outlet. Keeping a journal gives you a place to track your daily routines, plan for future experiences, or simply to check in with yourself. Here are a few tips on how to start journaling.
Journaling Prompts
If you’re a complete novice to journaling, prompts can be a really useful tool. You can purchase a set from companies like the Irish brand The Head Plan, or you can access some for free via Pinterest. Choose prompts that relate to what you want to journal about. Whether that’s your mental health, your career, or your future plans, the choice is entirely up to you. You may get to a stage where you’re happy to write freely, but prompts are always useful for when you are stuck.
Create a layout for your journal
Journaling can feel overwhelming when you begin. Staring at an empty page can be daunting when you don’t know how to start. Designing your journal with a layout can simplify the process and give you more of a structure to work with, making it less intimidating. If you follow the same layout each time you journal an entry, the process will feel more like a routine. This will help you to create a habit of journaling, making it less daunting each time. For inspiration on how to design your journals you could search through social media platforms such as Youtube or Instagram.
Bullet Journal
If your love for writing has been snuffed out by the secondary school curriculum, don’t worry - journaling is still a possibility for you. A great method of journaling that has risen in popularity is bullet journaling. Bullet journaling heavily focuses on the visual aspect of your journal. The pages tend to be dotted or blank, rather than lined, making it easier to fill with illustrations. Bullet journals are used to journal about a variety of areas. Some are used to track habits, others are kept as reading logs. The possibilities are endless!
Two themes that are good ideas for students are travel journals and career journals. Career journals are great ways to document career planning. You can document key information on different career fields, key takeaways from open days, and vision boards about your dream jobs. Another great option is the travel journal. This can be used to plan your future experiences in 2025 or can help you document all the places you will visit - you can fill them with photos or sketches for the full effect.
Be Honest!
Your journal should ultimately be for you, not just an aesthetic to do list. To really feel the benefits you have to be honest in your entries. Whether you’re planning your out-of-budget trip to Paris or healing from your situationship, authenticity is key. If you’re concerned about keeping your journal private, look for a notebook that includes a padlock. Alternatively, pick a discrete cover to make it blend in with your other college books.
While we may have entered a new year, there should be no pressure to change yourself. Journaling is a great creative outlet for both planning and checking in with yourself, but should not become an added stress. Take one day at a time and build the habit slowly.