Save the Deep Thoughts for Later. A Journaling Habit Must Come First.

If you’re starting a journaling habit, there’s no reason to write deep thoughts.

You need to concentrate on the habit you’re creating. You want to be consistent at the same time each day. It doesn’t even matter what you are journaling. It matters that you are journaling.

Making your journaling habit easy to complete each day is vital at the beginning of a new habit.

Pick a time that works for you.

Write what you want to write. Don’t force the words.

Prep your journaling environment in advance. Your tools must be readily available.

I started my habit by journaling gratitude. 

In the beginning, my statements appeared superficial.

I stuck to the perspective of what am I grateful for 'now.' That worked for me because I wanted to be positive.

Quickly writing down two thoughts made the habit easy to start. “I am grateful for looking forward to a relaxing day,” and “I am grateful for a new start each day.”

Those simple statements grew.  Deeper thoughts started to emerge. “I am grateful for small changes like clouds instead of sun. Even the small changes bring a new perspective.”

Starting simple allowed me to start a habit.

As my friend Dan says:

“I love that we can keep it [joutnaling] simple, make it a comfortable constant, then naturally go deeper.”