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As we welcomed a new year, many of us reflected on the past and set new goals for the upcoming months. One of the most impactful and rewarding practices you can adopt among your resolutions is journaling. After those long weeks spent indoors during winter weather, my mental health craved something new on which to focus. That’s precisely the hope that the art of journaling provides.
I’ve always been a person of words. As a kid, I kept journals that resembled diaries, yet they served as spaces to express my feelings and thoughts and chase my silly ideas. Later, I transitioned into the magazine world, maintaining a vision board for dream-making project ideas and even dabbling in my early ambitions of becoming a fashion designer.
Now, I use journaling to capture the ideas, thoughts, and words swirling in my head on paper, where I can rest and find a reference point. Some days, that includes outlines for posts like this or preparation for an upcoming vacation. Other times, it’s a free space for sketching, observing seasonal flowers or working on poetry. Sometimes, I prefer to keep my thoughts private, while at other times, I have notebooks in various locations with a pencil tucked in to mark my place.
In the busyness of life, it’s hard to set a cadence we can keep up with. But after watching how the drawings shifted and more descriptive words were offered, I decided we needed to make journaling practices more accessible in 2025!
Adding Journaling to Your Vacation Plans
This past summer, to keep my son’s attention while we drove through several National Parks, I created a packet of worksheets for him to make daily notes in a nature journal as we explored trails, watched wildlife from the car and ended our days back at our campsite and cabins. I secretly knew we were also preparing for an activity at our county fair, but it kept him busy and engaged during our trip.
As you prepare for spring break adventures or a weekend getaway, let me challenge you to use your time of respite to begin a practice of journaling. Undoubtedly, unique wildlife sightings, vacation vistas, spectacular sunsets and new Arkansas destinations will inspire you. Your mental health reset needs you to get all your feelings and ponderings out into the wild!
We recently shared a post about planning your summer vacation, which included several destinations for solitude—the perfect places to start journaling.
- Arkansas Destinations for Peace and Spiritual Growth
- Historic Churches of Arkansas
- Arkansas Churches and Chapels
- 50 years on the Buffalo
- 2025 Adventure – visits all 52 state parks
Exploring Different Types of Journaling
Journaling can take many forms, catering to various interests, creative outlets, abilities and time capacity. Here are some diverse approaches to journaling that go beyond traditional writing:
- Drawing, Sketching and Painting – Art journals allow you to express your emotions, ideas and experiences through drawing, sketching or painting.
- Story Writing Journals – This type of journaling is perfect for aspiring authors or those who love weaving narratives or fleshing out new ideas.
- Gratitude Journals – This practice fosters positivity, shifts focus to the good in life and helps cultivate an attitude of appreciation. You may also find mindfulness activities helpful for processing emotions and feelings after a tough day or meeting.
- Free and Open Writing – Sometimes called stream-of-consciousness journaling, free writing is a liberating practice where you write without restrictions to declutter your mind, process emotions or explore ideas without judgment or structure.
- Poetry Journals – Whether you write structured poems or free verse, this form of journaling helps you explore self-expression and capture fleeting moments of inspiration.
- Nature Journals – You can spend time in a consistent spot each day or explore different locations, noting environmental changes, wildlife behaviors or seasonal shifts. You can add sketches, pressed leaves or descriptive writing to bring your observations to life.
- Travel Journal – Include sketches, ticket stubs, maps and descriptions of the sights, sounds and feelings experienced during your journey. You can also use this space to build a travel bucket list or spaces and places you’d like to visit.
- Reflection Journal – delves deeper into specific events, experiences or challenges. You gain insight into your thoughts and behaviors by analyzing situations in detail, fostering personal growth. You can combine this with a dream space where you can use your future thoughts to inspire creativity.
The Benefits of Journaling
- Promotes Daily Relaxation and Meditation: In a fast-paced world where our minds are constantly bombarded with information, journaling offers an opportunity to slow down and relax. It’s a moment of pause, a way to create space for yourself amid the chaos of life.
- Scientific Research shows that writing, especially about personal emotions and thoughts, can help reduce stress and improve overall well-being. It can lower anxiety, regulate mood and even help you sleep better. Incorporating journaling into your daily routine becomes a natural relaxation and mental wellness tool.
- Deepens Your Spirituality: Journaling is a profoundly spiritual practice for many, particularly when combined with daily Bible reading. Writing down thoughts and reflections about scripture can deepen one’s understanding and connection to God’s Word. It allows for a more intentional, personal dialogue with one’s faith. Whether journaling prayers of gratitude, writing about your spiritual growth or reflecting on a specific Bible verse, journaling becomes a tangible way to document your faith journey.
- Fosters Creativity and Personal Expression Journaling isn’t just for reflection; it’s a space for creativity. Whether you’re writing down your dreams, sketching or brainstorming ideas, a journal is a canvas for all forms of self-expression. It is a place to explore without judgment, which makes it ideal for those looking to tap into their creative potential.
Tips and Best Practices for Journaling
If you’re ready to make journaling a part of your New Year’s resolution, here are some tips and best practices to help you get started:
- Set a Consistent Time Each Day: Establish a time to journal daily. Consistency is key, whether in the morning to reflect and set intentions for the day or in the evening to wind down. A regular journaling habit will make it easier to integrate into your routine and help you stay committed.
- Keep It Simple: Journaling doesn’t have to be an elaborate process. Start with a few lines each day. You can write about anything: how your day went, what you’re grateful for, a Bible verse that spoke to you or your thoughts on a creative project. Don’t pressure yourself to write for hours. It’s about practice, not perfection.
- Make your tools easy to access: Keep your journal on a side table or in your office. If you are doing art, set it up and out with your supplies so you can jump in and step away. You can also take your journal in your purse to work on while in the car or sitting at a coffee shop.
- Use journaling prompts if you feel stuck or unsure of what to write about.
- Be Honest and Open Your journal is a safe space. Be as open and honest as you can. Don’t worry about grammar or structure—just let your thoughts flow. Over time, this honesty will lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
- Incorporate Visuals Journaling doesn’t have to be all about words. Add sketches, doodles, photos or even collages to your pages. Incorporating visuals allows you to express yourself more and adds a creative dimension to your journal.
- Reflect Regularly: Once a month, read through your journal. Reflect on the insights you’ve gained, the growth you’ve experienced and the lessons you’ve learned. Start noticing patterns in your thoughts and behavior and assess your progress toward your goals.
Journaling is more than just a daily activity—it’s a transformative practice that can help you deepen your faith, foster creativity and bring mindfulness into your life. As part of your New Year’s resolution, journaling can become a powerful tool for personal growth, relaxation and reflection. You may find that it brings peace to your mind, clarity to your spirit and a newfound creativity you never knew existed.
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