I used to love writing, it helped me during the tougher days of my youth. Then, I stopped. It’s been nine years since I last wrote anything meaningful.

Instead of texting my ex to spill out everything I’m feeling (which would only lead to a dead end and damaged friendship), I’ve decided to write it all down. A journal feels safer, like a place where I can confess everything without worrying about the response.

Maybe it’s naive, but I think this might help. Losing hope feels like the only way to find freedom, and I’m trusting this journal will allow me to confront whatever is stopping me from moving on. Once I’m done, I’ll burn it… or leave it for our future kids 🤪

Curious about what others do for the new year when it comes to their journals. Do you start a new one? Continue on if you haven't quite finished using the previous one? Do you do any prep for a new journal to make it ready for writing?

Personally I'm starting a new one for 2025, the inside cover pages are written in with quotes about the new year. As well as I have a brand new 2025 planner I'm going to use this year!

m

Here is my first planner/journal! I’ll be starting my journaling journey in 2025, and I couldn’t be more excited and happy! I can’t wait to journal my days and my thoughts onto 1 page every day for the whole of 2025! I’ll be taking it everywhere with me, mostly college, so I can jot down ideas and thoughts. What do you think of my journal? It’s an astrology/zodiac theme journal!

Title.

it's pretty tiny, I started journaling August. I'm planning on buying a much larger one soon.

2 days in so far😝😝

I'm in my late 20s and things are getting messier. I've been told that I have anger issues, and for a really long time I did not believe it until I broke a gadget recently because I was overstimulated.

As the title suggests, I really want to start journaling in 2025 but I think my methods are not working for me. Sometimes I get tired of writing, so I tried typing. Even that did not work. I do believe that the best way to journal is by pen and paper. I actually don't know how to even start writing. What do I start with- jump to what I'm feeling? Write down the event that occurred? I don't want to end up amplifying the negative emotions.

AND, I'd also like to know the difference and it's usage between dotted and lined journal. Which type of book is recommended best for journaling.

Thank you in advance.

How much do you divulge in your journal? My adult children have gifted me a journal and asked me to write down all I can remember of my past as a keepsake for them. I want to be open and honest with them, but alot of my memories are built around trauma. How much of these should I share? In particular, their father was mentally and abusive to me. So much so that he hired someone to get rid of me so he could collect on my life insurance. Needless to say, his attempt failed. My ex moved overseas and sees his kids only every few years, and only if they make the effort. He blames me for our divorce (when our children were little). They have never been in any danger from him.

Which do you prefer and why?

Do you guys use photos in your journals? I have stickers but I see that a lot of people have pics and they're cute. Does anyone have printing recs/methods that aren't super expensive, thanks

I've stopped using Letterbox and Goodreads for reviews and started writing down then physically as I started valuing privacy more.

I was planning on starting a journal my senior year (I'm a junior now) but I'm so impatient. Should I just start a journal in 2025 or just commit to a cute senior year one.

One of my big journaling tasks each year is to make a list of goals for the upcoming year. I then use the list a year later to do an end-of-year review as well. It’s so fun! In the past I’ve always made about a dozen or so goals that I treat more like a menu than a task list (so there’s no expectation that I have to achieve each one). This year I want to try something different and make one big, overarching goal with 3 or so sub-points. Do you journal about your goals? How do you decide which goals are important to you? I’d love to hear what other people do!

I'm checking if I want to change how I journal next year. So far I've just been writing freely, but I'm wondering what preferences other people here have that I can maybe utilise?

Lately, I've been writing about trivial things (like celebrity gossip or my favorite songs) because I'm not ready to discuss some more serious issues I've been dealing with lately. I know there's no wrong way to journal, but I just want to know if I'm alone in this situation. Has anyone else done this?

Hello All, I've noticed a trend with my journaling: I am fairly diligent for a couple months, then get "busy" and fail to make time for it, allowing experiences and memories to accumulate until it feels a bit overwhelming.
I tend to be perfectionistic and the past 6 months were the busiest --and best-- of my life, so there is no shortage of very important, sentimental material that I feel needs to be included. Lately I've had a bit more time but shudder at the thought of recalling and recording everything. It has become a chore that I worry about rather than a joyful, nightly, contemplative exercise that I look forward to.

I'm sure some of you have experienced this kind of thought process and paralysis. So I ask: how do you frame it, deal with it, and conquer it? Any thoughts or suggestions in light of your own journaling experience? Thanks in advance!

Hey everyone, I’m on the hunt for an undated planner with a sarcastic or demotivational vibe. Think passive-aggressive quotes like “You won’t finish it anyway” or “The less you try, the less you fail.”

If you know of any brands or shops that sell something like this, let me know! Or do I need to DIY one myself? Thanks in advance!