Today I’m going to share with you how you can begin your journey to a better self with a painless approach to self-reflection. I’m going to give you all you need to know so you can start a list journal in 3 easy steps.
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List journaling takes journaling to a more simplistic level.
Journaling is an essential part of self-care as it allows you some introspection. it’s important to know your own mind and how and why you think the things that you think.
Fact.
Not everyone likes to write.
Lists, however, are easy to write.
I mean, how many lists do you think you make in a week?
When you know what your list is going to be about, making the list is a no-brainer.
Say, for example, you are making a grocery list.
What kinds of things would be on a grocery list?
The obvious answer is things that you would need from a grocery store, duh.
Examples would be:
- milk
- bread
- salsa
- apples
- lettuce
- prune juice(just kidding…this is never on my list!)
The list could go on and on.
So then, how difficult do you think it would be to write a list journal if given a specific prompt or topic?
Let’s say the given prompt was 3 People in my life who make me feel happy:
Naturally, at least a few people probably come to mind right away
Examples might be your partner or your children.
But what about the more obscure people in your life who also, through their actions bring you happiness?
What about your hairdresser?
When you go in for a new cut and color you hopefully, leave there feeling happier.
How about your mail carrier?
Have you ever considered how happy that person makes you when your new, fill in the blank here, comes in the mail?
So now that you can’t wait to give list journaling a try, let’s talk about how to get started.
How to start a list journal in 3 easy steps:
Step one:
Get yourself a journal.
I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking that this is the obvious step.
But I’m mentioning it because I think it’s important to keep all your lists in a book rather than just writing your list on random pieces of paper.
Keeping them in a journal will allow you to go back and reread them at some future date so that you may reflect and learn from yourself.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money or a lot of time picking out a fancy journal.
Even something as simple as a notebook will suffice.
If you’re like me however and are completely obsessed with notebooks and journals and planners( I have a problem).
You’re gonna want to purchase the perfect journal because having that perfect one will inspire you to use it.
Or at least it can’t hurt, right?
If you’d like some insight about few journals that are on the market here is a list I want I have tried and recommend.
- looking for a basic notebook or dot journal – these are great and really good quality, I love them!
- want something a little bit fancy and amazing – check this one out.
Step two:
Make a list of journaling prompt ideas
That’s right, in order for you to begin a list journal you first must write a list, ironic right?
You can either come up with your own journaling prompts
OR
If you want to get started as quickly and easily as possible, I’ve got just the thing to help you on your way.
10 list journal prompts to get you going:
- 10 things that truly make you happy
- 5 things you couldn’t live without besides food and water
- 12 words you would use to describe yourself
- Your 4 favorite colors with a single word to describe how they make you feel
- 5 people in your life who make you happy
- 6 guilty pleasures
- 3 things you love and 3 things you hate
- Your favorite 5-course meal
- 10 things you love about your pet
- 3 things you wish you had the courage to say out loud
Whoa, number 10 is a doozy!
It’s time to be brutally honest with yourself. I know you can do it!
Step three:
Write one sentence or phrase on how writing this list made you feel or what you learned from it.
I know this sounds a lot like traditional journaling with the whole getting into all the feels and lessons learned along the way, but this part is important.
Journaling, after all, is supposed to help you grow as a person.
It doesn’t have to be detailed, just enough where when you come back during self-reflection someday, you can look at it and understand what you felt or learned that day.
Let’s do one together.
We’ll use the prompt from earlier.
3 People in my life who make me feel happy:
- Spouse
- Hairdresser
- Mail Carrier
Learned: Happiness comes from unexpected places.
There done!
See, that’s not so bad, is it?
I think it’s actually kinda fun.
So let’s recap:
List journaling is a fantastically easy way to journal without having to spend a lot of time or work too hard at figuring out what to write.
Getting started basically comes down to three easy steps:
- Get a journal
- Get some writing prompts
- Write a quick sentence or phrase to reflect on what you learned or how you felt after writing the list
I also offered you 10 List Journaling prompts so you can start right away.
What I haven’t told you yet though is I also have a challenge for you.
Interested?
You can sign up for our List Journaling 30-Day Challenge.
Every day, for the next 30 days, you will receive a new prompt right in your inbox.
Plus you’ll have us right there to help keep you motivated to do it.
If you’re anything like me, and I think you are…
or you wouldn’t be here reading about how to get off your butt and start journaling once and for all…
Motivation is hard for you.
Getting started is excruciatingly painful.
And you’re an expert at distracting yourself from the things you know you should be doing.
I know all about it.
I started this writing this 6 hours ago.
Got the title in there, then went to go grab a cup of tea.
While I was in the kitchen, I emptied the dishwasher, cleaned the stovetop, put away odds and ends that were on the table, put in a load of laundry, swept the floor.
Then remembered what I was doing, came back to my computer, remembered that I needed a new scrubby sponge, so went to Amazon, bought that, checked my email again, got an Instagram notification, checked that, and so on and so on.
And I wonder where my day goes…
So what do you say?
Let us help you stay focused and make your journaling journey an easier one. (say that 10x’s fast!))
All you have to do to get started to sign up for the List Journaling 30-Day Challenge is fill out the form below.
By filling out the form, you will be agreeing to receive emails from me, Cheryl, here at Green Teas & Chickpeas.
So if that sounds good to you, then go ahead and fill it out to get started.
You’ll get a welcome email from me right away.
Then, starting two days later and continuing for the next 30 days, you will receive your list journaling prompt and some encouraging words to help you on your way.
Looking for more self-care ideas? Check these out.
A perfect way to find the time to do your journaling is to create a morning and/or nighttime routine – read all about how to do that here:
- 4 No-Fuss Ways to Figuring Out Your Morning Routine
- A Step by Step Guide to Creating a Good Nighttime Routine
Wanna keep up with us on the daily? Follow us on Instagram to see what we’ve got going on.
Know someone who you think would love to join our challenge? Please share this article with them!
We’d love to hear what your thoughts are about list journaling. Leave us a comment below to share your opinion or even a prompt idea that we haven’t thought of.
