Any tips on journaling?
That kinda depends on what type of journal we're talking about here? I guess I can give you some general advice though:
• don't fall into the trap of trying to make it "perfect". its okay to have it be messy and full of random sentences that don't really make much sense, or feel weird to write about. sometimes my journal just says "I'm hungry, time for food" or "fuck forgot to take trash out", just cus thats what jumps into my brain while I'm writing. I'm not trying to create a poetric masterpiece every day!
• if it helps you to dedicate your journal to a specific topic like art, character creation, mental health, fitness, etc. or dedicate specific sections to things, then sure do that! but if that feels overwhelming and hard to do, then its also okay to like...not do that. it can just be todays date and then a random bullet point list of everything you wanna write down. no need for elaborate systems, or post its and colors and such (but theres also nothing wrong with adding those ofc if it brings you joy)
• you don't need to have a paper based journal if you're prone to forgetting about it or hate that its so permanent and not easily editable! you can go with digital journals or (like me) just use your phones notes app. theres nothing wrong with that ever!
• try to not lie in those notes and pages. you're doing this for yourself, theres no need to perform or mask or pretend. if you want to create something that you can look at in a few weeks/months/years and use as a sort of "looking back in time" type thing, then lying is gonna ruin that, because you won't always remember what parts you lied about and it'll stop you from seeing genuine progress. journals are often for getting to know yourself and reflecting and creating a permanent memory helper, so stay as truthful as you can and if multiple things feel true, write them all down yk?
• being truthful and imperfect and messy also means, that you don't have to stay morally correct or kind within those pages. you're allowed to use this journal to process your true feelings, to draw the potentially morbid things you're interested in, to give space to your demons and secrets and parts that you keep hidden. you can insult people in it, you can write about and draw violence, etc. within your journal, just as within your thoughts, you are free to just be, because just like the inside of your brain, the inside of your journal is a private space beyone the worlds norms and perception. or at least thats what I believe :3
so uh rly just make it yours yk? stay true to yourself, fill it with whatever occurs to you, don't fall into the aesthetic perfection stress and remember that its okay if you miss days or moments and you can always just continue where you left off! its yours and no one elses opinion on its content really matters.
