Bullet Journaling and More- Your Ultimate Guide of Journaling Examples!
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What are bullet journals? Learn that and more in this Guide of Journaling Examples!
Did you know anyone can benefit from writing? I’m not saying everyone should go out and write themselves a short story or novel. Although, I do believe anyone can if they put their minds to it! However, I know fiction writing is not for everyone. But everyone can sit down and experience the cathartic release of writing in a journal. Studies have shown journaling can help reduce stress and anxiety, help achieve goals and even strengthen memory. I can hear the dismissive grumbles now as you picture writing long rambling diary entries. Yes, those do serve a purpose for some, but there are plenty of other journaling examples out there. Bullet Journaling, for one, or gratitude or reflective journaling are less cumbersome and provide more psychological benefits than the Dear Diary format. But how do we put these other journaling examples into practice? Read on to get some ideas.
Bullet Journaling Examples
This form of journaling is the hot buzzword. And there’s a reason it’s become so popular. It truly is therapeutic! For starters, there is no commitment or expectation. There’s also no way to do it wrong. It’s completely individualized. I’d describe it as part art, part writing. But when I say writing that includes lists, free write mind dumps, whatever you want, but the expectation is NOT for it to be long lengthy entries.
One thing to take note of though is bullet journals do not come with ready made templates. You’ll need time to set them up and make them individualized. There are plenty of bullet journals available to purchase, just expect to see dotted pages.That is correct, do not expect to see lined pages in a bullet journal! Those dotted pages are for you to create sections that fit your needs. See these bullet journaling examples from Oprah Daily to get an idea.
Reflective Journaling Examples
A reflective journal is closer to the more classic version of a journal I discussed above. It will read more similarly to those Dear Diary entries where you’re looking back on an event or a memory. However, in those Dear Diary entries we tend to write about events soon after they’ve occurred. Like a blow by blow of the day that just transpired.
Reflective journaling is usually written after more time has transpired. Sometimes even years later. It goes a little deeper and in a more targeted fashion. Therapists often suggest reflective journaling.
An example of reflective journaling might be to write about a specific triggering event or memory from the past and the feelings associated.
Some therapists suggest using reflective journaling to look for patterns in a relationship or series of relationships, or careers etc.
The purpose is to utilize it as a safe space to self-reflect on these personal areas of your life and help you better understand your thought process, feelings and decide where you’d like to go in the future.
There are different ways you can shop for reflective journals. There are some that offer guided prompts to help you with the process like this one.
Then there are just pretty blank ones that make you feel happy and wanting to share your thoughts like this one.
Gratitude Journaling Examples
I was skeptical of this type of journaling. But then during a particularly trying period of life I decided to try jotting down just three things I was grateful for that had occurred each day. I’ve noticed a HUGE difference!
As a mother of young kids, I’ve found it especially important on those LONG days when I tended to focus on the worst behaviors and disasters. But by just jotting down those three good things, I found I started to see my kids in a new way. The things they’d done well, the good moments we shared.
For those more ambitious,there are a number of guided deeper exercise versions of gratitude journaling out there as well. Feel free to check out some of these Gratitude Journaling examples with guided prompts.
Everything Journal
Last, but not least, I need to share my personal favorite style of journaling that I stumbled across recently. I guess I should clarify, I only stumbled across the name of this style recently. I’ve actually been doing it in practice for years! I just never knew there was a name for what I was doing.
My husband gave me a Time Management book for Christmas. It’s called Time Management for the Overwhelmed. The book was helpful in it’s own way as self-help books are in helping you find new strategies. But what really surprised me and got my attention was a section that focused on the practice of Everything Journals. Basically, carrying around blank journals with you at all times where you jot down everything and anything.
I’ve been doing this for years. I ALWAYS have a notebook with me. It began as a practice I started for writing so I never missed an opportunity to jot down an idea or scene. But over time these notebooks became my place to jot down lists, outlines for stories, my gratitudes etc. Much like my old “diaries”, my Everything Journals have now become time capsules of my life. I can flip back and see the research I jotted while writing The Girl in the Triangle, or my interview notes I took while working for Delight Magazine.I even have old travel itineraries and grocery lists!
They literally are my Everything Journals and I love that they both help me manage my time and life and they also allow me to brain dump whatever I need on the page. I personally like ones with leather covers so they can withstand getting thrown in bags and carried wherever you go. But pick one that speaks to you!
I hope these journaling examples get your creative juices flowing. Happy Journaling Everyone!
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