Weekly Journaling Ideas and Writing Exercises

JOURNALING TIP OF THE WEEK

Begin with “If I had X in my life, I would be happy.” Now write a page in your journal that describes a day in your life with X ($500,000, or a perfectly matched partner, for example) in your life, and how it makes you happy. Focus on the feeling you get knowing that you have the thing you want.

Please send me your tip and I'll use it on my weekly FB/Twitter Journaling Tips!

1. In your Journal, write the phrase "The Cure is here.the Healing has begun" and then write, write, write away. When you're done, write how you FEEL about this journaling experience!

2. Why does _____ drive me crazy? Journal on and see what the write answer is!

3. Pick a song. Use some of its lyrics to start a new journal entry. Or choose a song you love and write your own lyrics!

4. Write: 'Oh, I Could Never...' and be aware of what's going on in your body as you write. What is your body saying to you?

5. Wander all around a bookstore or library. Pick out and open any book. Wherever your eyes land, use that phrase as a journal entry starter and write, write, write!

6. Have a ten-minute free-writing huddle with your Inner Coach. Write down his/her words of wisdom. What did you learn?

7. Pick your favorite four-letter "F" word like Fate, Fear, Feel, Food, Find, Fuel or.... Write that word down after you've dated the page, then see what your Journal has to say!

8. Make Someone Happy. Pick a person (that includes you!) and write him/her a letter extolling their virtues and expressing your gratitude for what they bring to your world.

9. Write down a question in your Journal. Then relax, take a deep breath and bring your question into a 4-5 minute meditation. Return to your Journal and write down the answers you come up with.

10. Make a TA DA List. Note your uniqueness, your talents, your mahvelousness dahling! Be sure you have enough journal pages.this will be a looong list!

11. Bring your Inner Kid along to your next Journaling session and ask for some advice. Take notes, draw, and doodle. Have.FUN!

12. What's your mom or dad's favorite saying? Use that to start today's journal entry.

13. Select a quote you love. Read it. Savor it. Write about it.

14. Choose a favorite quote. Meditate (sitting or moving) on it for a few then write about it in your journal. Read your entry.what's going on in YOUR body?

15. Look over your WORD program files titles. When something catches your eye, use it to jumpstart your Journal today.

16. Happy Everyday Holidays! Take some time (you name it: one page, ten minutes...) first thing this holiday morn and give thanks for you and your gifts.

17. Listen to a 20th Century Christmas Carol and journal about its lyrics, your feelings, your memories.

18. Ho! Ho! Ho! Write in your Journal what it's like to be an Elf and get to work with Santa 24/7/365.

19. "Buy a journal and give it to someone, let them write in it and give it back to you. This will give u a lot to write about." - Amaris Autry.

20. "I keep my journal in the same comfy spot. I leave it open to a blank page with the pen on top so that when I get home it invites me to curl up with it and write." - Wendy (www.snixysnix.com)

21. "Challenges are Opportunities requesting Action" - Mari (www.CreateWriteNow.com)

22. Sit down with your Journal. Take several breaths. Have a conversation with your body. Let him/her write a monologue if it wants.

23. Take yourself on an Artist's Date---visit a new place to see what journal writing ideas await!

24. "The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself." - Anna Quindlen

25. "I spoil myself the most beautiful, appealing journal I can find - the one with the high quality paper (preferably with no lines). I buy colored ink cartridges for my fountain pen (helps the writing flow). I believe my inner voice deserves a beautiful stage from which to sing!" - Joanna (www. wisdomwithinink.com )

26. Change partners: Use an unlined journal, another type or colored pen, write with your other hand, journal with your eyes closed, print your entry..

27. When you think you are done writing, keep going. This is where you will discover what you are looking for. The pearls are beyond what is visible to us. Shoot for the unknown. Feel fragile & be brave. - Nan (@Inspiredjournal)

28. Dream. Envision. Imagine. Create. Get to the page, great things await!

29. Write in a Journal for 30 days. Then put the Journal away for another 30 days. After that time has passed, pull out the Journal and read it. You will no doubt learn at least 30 things about yourself. Things that you like and things you need to improve on! And some journaling ideas! - Steph (www.diviacity.com)

30. Take a look at yourself in the mirror. What interests you? Take that curiosity to the page and write about those luscious lips, those special smiles, those Betty Davis eyes.

31. Get out your journal notebook and drain the swamp as fast as you can. Set a timer and see how many pages you do in 10, 20 or 30 minutes. Keep the water bottle at the ready.

32. "Penning down feelings like 'I don't feel like writing or don't know what to write'... Let your mind get rid of that block first - a gradual process but it works!" - Preet

33. "If I write about anything that is bothering me, as in an underlying issue, in my journal, it helps to free up my mind to write other things. Sometimes I'll write an essay or story concerning that underlying issue which is an automatic writer's block eliminator" - Dawn (www.dawnherring.net)

34. Paste a picture in your journal and write down the words that you see, hear, smell, touch and taste from it.

35. What relationship would you like to improve? Have a heart-to-heart with your Self or your Inner Critic or your Blank Page.

36. Go through the events of the previous day and reflect about. - Robert F

37. Name names. Pick your favorite word and use it as a Journaling "Topic Sentence."

38. When in pout, write it out!

39. Journaling creates space for __?____

40. Feng Shui your Self. Work with your Journal, trash all the crazycrap. Spread your wings and soar!

41. Make note of the Lunar cycle, especially the Full and New Moon, both are powerful days to journal. Writing literally in the Full Moon's light (maybe with other subdued light) will be magical, guaranteed! - Carol Ohmart Behan! www.goldenspiraljourney.com

42. In the margin of your journal add a subject tag (for example 'work' or 'friends'). You'll be able to review your entire journal and get a feel for recurrent themes (those things that always get under your skin!) and easily find all your thoughts on a particular topic later for use in another journal, blog or writing project. - Kim White http://www.webdesignforwriters.com

43. When in Pout or having Doubts, just sit down and Write it Out!

44. Take your Journal with you to the Missing Persons Bureau. Locate your childhood "imaginary" friend(s) and bring them home to play.

45. What one word describes how you're feeling today? Look up its definition in your Journal.

46. (JWC) Journaling Tips #26: One of the questions that I ask myself often in my journal is 'what really matters most to me?' I find this question helps me to really connect into my heart space and get clear on what really is most important to me. This helps me to live my life in the awareness of the values closest to my heart.
~ Thanks for this tip, Soli Goodes http://www.journaljunky.com.au/

47. Having trouble journaling regularly, consistently, preferably daily?
Well then use your imagination's journal writing tools: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaMYSvy3ths

48. Start with "What's on my mind right now?" Write, without taking your pen from the page, until you've purged your thoughts.

49. Visit www.CreateWriteNow.com for a Journal Jumpstart.