Why Journaling Matters
And How to Start an Activity Journal That Works for You
Journaling isn’t just for writers or people with lots of free time. It’s a practical, powerful tool that helps you make sense of your thoughts, track your growth, and become more in tune with your emotions. Whether you’re working through a challenge, participating in a course, or simply seeking more self-awareness, journaling can help you reflect, grow, and stay motivated.
Why Keep a Journal?
1. Build Emotional Intelligence
When we write about our experiences and emotions, we naturally start to understand ourselves better. Journaling helps you identify patterns in your thoughts and feelings, leading to greater emotional awareness. And as you become more in tune with yourself, your ability to empathize and communicate with others improves too.
2. Recognize Your Growth
Flipping back through old journal entries can be incredibly empowering. You’ll see how much you’ve learned, overcome, and changed. This reflection builds confidence and reminds you that you are making progress—even on the days it doesn’t feel like it.
3. Reduce Stress and Gain Clarity
Writing things down gives your mind a break. It helps clear mental clutter, reduce anxiety, and sort through complex emotions or decisions. Sometimes, just seeing your thoughts on paper is enough to bring clarity and calm.
How to Create an Activity Journal That Keeps You on Track
One of the best ways to get started with journaling—especially if you’re taking one of our courses or workshops —is to create a simple activity journal. Here’s how you can do it using supplies you probably already have:
What You’ll Need:
- A 3-ring binder or a 3-tab folder
- Lined or blank paper (or printable journal pages from our workshops and courses)
- A pen or pencil
- Optional: Dividers or tabs to organize sections
Steps to Set Up Your Activity Journal:
- Choose a Binder or Folder
A 3-ring binder or a folder with tabs allows you to easily add, remove, or reorganize pages. This flexibility makes it easier to track your progress in different areas (e.g., reflections, exercises, goals, notes). - Create Sections
Use dividers to separate sections based on your needs. For example:- Daily or Weekly Reflections
- Course or Workshop Exercises
- Goals & Progress Tracking
- Notes & Insights
- Print Journal Pages
If you’re participating in one of our courses or workshops, we provide printable journal pages designed to guide your reflections and help you stay organized. These pages fit perfectly in your binder and make your progress easy to access anytime. - Start Writing
Don’t overthink it—just begin. You can write about how you feel, what you’re learning, any challenges you’re facing, or even small wins worth celebrating. There’s no “wrong” way to journal.
Flexibility is Key
Prefer a digital journal, a simple notebook, or voice notes on your phone? That works too! The goal is to record your progress, not create barriers. Choose a journaling method that fits your lifestyle and feels comfortable. The most important thing is consistency and authenticity.
Ready to Start?
If you’re taking one of our workshops or courses, be sure to download the printable journal pages included with your materials. Using a binder or tabbed folder keeps everything in one place and makes it easy to reflect on how far you’ve come.
No matter how you choose to journal, remember this: Your journey is worth documenting. Your thoughts are worth capturing. And your growth is worth celebrating.
