Are you a journaler who needs a journaling format? Steal mine.

Some of the best ideas are from someone else.

In my two years of journaling daily, I’ve been open to trying new prompts. Some prompts are keepers. Others don’t last. My format came from many sources. I journal in the morning and evening. 

My morning routine, in the order I adopted them into the format.

Gratitude - Two statements of gratitude and one statement of intent for the day. These sentences come from my first thoughts each morning.  They sets the stage for a great day. 

Task list - I began as a Bullet Journaler. I kept the habit of writing my daily priority tasks.

Morning free journaling - from Julia Cameron’s concept of morning pages. I wrote three pages while reading her book, The Artist’s Way. Now I free journal for at least 20 minutes.

Reflection on The Daily Stoic - This idea came from an X/Twitter post. I read The Daily Stoic once. Then I decided to reread it and reflect on myself. 

My evening free journaling routine (adopted last) includes four categories.

Happiness - I follow Gretchen Rubin's recommendation to write what makes me happy each day.

Good - This came from Benjamin Franklin via Sahil Bloom. I write if and what good I did that day. I aim to do good every day. It’s nice to write something specific.

Friction - Another idea from an X/Twitter friend. Even on good days, you experience friction. Identifying that friction is an opportunity to face it head-on.

Reflection - What when well? What would I do differently? Putting thought into those questions helps with having a better tomorrow.

For now, my daily journaling routine takes 45 to 60 minutes of my day. (It may change.)

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