There are a few times of the year when people tend to start journaling for the first time or get back into it during a break. Those times may be like when they are dealing with something difficult, near the beginning of the next quarter, or the beginning of the new year.
If you are journaling as part of your new start to the New Year, here are some things you can write about.
New Year’s Resolutions and Goals
Naturally, the first step to journaling at the beginning of the year is to write about your goals for the year or your resolutions.
I like to think of resolutions as one or two things you have wanted to do but have not had the right motivation. Think of those things you keep saying you will do someday but never do.
Your resolutions or goals could be ending a bad habit like stop drinking, cut down on caffeine intake, or biting your fingernails.
Maybe you have finally decided to begin the manuscript you keep talking about.
Write it all down in your journal and set your sights on what you want to accomplish this year. For more, see my post, “How to Use a Journal for Your New Year’s Resolutions.”
Areas of Your Life to Improve
There are always improvements we can make to our lives. You can use your journal to write about different areas of your life that you would like to improve, such as your health, your finances or work, spending time with loved ones, being more active in your community, or starting a new project.
These are some general ideas for improvements you could make. Your list may be totally different from some of the things I thought of above.
The idea is to just sit down and begin brainstorming about the improvements you would like to make.
New Habits and Routines You Want to Implement
Are there habits you feel like you are slacking on? Do you want to start a new routine that serves you better?
Your journal is a great place to get started.
It may be a good idea to first write about your current routines and then pinpoint those things you would like to add or areas of your daily routine that no longer serve a purpose in your life.
Your lifestyle may be a lot different than it was a year ago. Changes occur in our lives daily. Maybe you have added a new family member, got a new job, got married, decided to implement an exercise routine for your health or other things that have changed.
It is time to sit down and map out what you want to accomplish.
Focus on Growth and Self-Improvement
Journaling is an amazing resource when it comes to personal growth.
Journaling allows you to become a better, healthier, more productive person.
Use the beginning of the New Year as an excuse to write about how you want to grow and improve over the course of the year.
Do you want to read more self-help books? That is one of my goals.
Are you interested in learning something new by taking courses?
Do you want to develop a more positive mindset? I think we would all see benefits come from a more positive attitude.
If you answered yes to any of the questions above or if your list contains other things you want to focus on, use your journal to record it.
Record Past Events
Each New Year brings us a fresh, new slate. You could say we are beginning a new chapter in our lives.
You can use your journal to record some of the past events from the previous year that you would like to avoid in the next year or those you would like to repeat. As my history professors used to say, “history repeats itself.” If we record those things that we want to avoid or repeat, we have it to look back on as a reminder.
Next year, at this time you will be able to look back on all the things you chose to work on by recording your progress along the way and measuring your accomplishments.
Using a journal can be fun and enjoyable and it can be useful too.
Here I have tried to give you a few ideas for what to journal about at the beginning of the year.
I am a little late in posting this article because I have been super busy at work, but I wanted to get it out there. It is never too late to get started!
Happy Journaling!
Pamela
