Creating a journaling habit depends on writing, not thinking.

You want a journaling habit, but journaling requires thinking.

Thinking is hard work.

You are wrong if you think creating a journaling habit requires deep thinking.

Don't overthink what you write when you journal.

You journal for yourself. No one else will read what you write.

Journaling is getting your thoughts on paper. Not all thoughts will be ingenious, although you may surprise yourself.

Focus on consistency in writing something each day.

Overthinking stands in the way of you and consistency.

When preparing to start my journaling habit, two sources advised, "Write the first thing that pops into your mind. Don't overthink it."

I created and expanded my journaling habit by following those last three words.

I started a gratitude journal by writing the first things that popped into my head, like "That first sip of coffee" or "The sound of crickets in the morning."

When I expanded to free journaling, I followed Julia Cameron's guide for morning pages.

You'll find sentences like, "When the sun shines in the window, I can really see the dust on the side table."

The rewards of journaling come as you develop a daily journaling habit.

Three years into daily journaling, I still start with whatever pops in my head. Then, what falls on the page really surprises me.