Journaling a Dummy’s Guide.
The Dummy’s Guide to Journaling (Yes, You Can Do This)
Journaling. Sounds fancy, right? Like something people do in Paris cafés while sipping lattes and contemplating life. But guess what? It’s not just for poets or Instagram influencers. Journaling is for you, even if the only thing you’re contemplating is why your cat is judging you and it probably fucking is.
Here’s a little secret: journaling isn’t about perfection, neat handwriting, or filling pages with profound thoughts.
I can say that as a girl with a temor who is unable to write with her hands.
It’s about dumping your brain onto paper before it explodes, noticing yourself, and maybe—just maybe—finding a little clarity (and some laughs) along the way.
Step 1: Get a Notebook
Honestly, any notebook will do. Fancy leather-bound? Great. Old exercise book? Perfect. Scrap paper from a meeting five years ago? Sure, let’s not be picky. The goal is to have a place to write stuff down.
Step 2: Choose Your Weapon (Pen, Pencil, Crayon… Seriously):Pick something that glides nicely and doesn’t make you want to stab the page. Bonus points for a pen that feels like it’s meant for thoughts of the soul. Or doodles of your neighbours cat judging you.
Step 3: Time to Sit Down: Find a spot where you won’t be interrupted… unless you want to journal with a dog who insists on licking the page. Set a timer for 5–10 minutes if you need. That’s it. No one’s judging you just the cat.
Step 4: Freewriting or Guided Prompts
Here’s where it gets fun. Either you just write whatever pops into your brain (even if it’s nonsense), or you use prompts to help you along.
Room2Bloom-Style Journaling Prompts
• What am I feeling right now, and can I name it without judging myself?
• One thing that made me laugh today (even if it was at my own expense).
• If my life had a theme song today, what would it be and why?
• Something I’m proud of that I often overlook.
• A worry or thought that keeps popping up—how would I speak to a friend about it?
• A small act of kindness I can do for myself tomorrow.
• What’s one tiny thing I can celebrate today?
Step 5: Questions to Dig Deeper (Optional, But Powerful)
• When did I last feel truly relaxed, and what was I doing?
• Am I holding onto any unnecessary guilt or pressure?
• What does my body need today? Sleep, movement, a hug?
• Who in my life brings me energy, and who drains it?
• If I could tell myself one thing right now, without censoring, what would it be?
Step 6: Keep It Fun and Light
You don’t need to write in perfect sentences. Bullet points, doodles, emojis, even tiny sketches of the neighbour doing yoga also totally fine. This is your brain’s playground.
Step 7: End With a Small Win
Before closing your journal, write down one tiny thing that feels like a victory today. It doesn’t have to be huge. “I made coffee without burning it.” “I didn’t lose my temper when someone cut me off in traffic.” Celebrate it every fucking awesome part!
Extra Tips for the Overthinkers
• Set a timer: 5 minutes is better than 0 minutes.
• No judgment allowed: If it sounds silly, funny, or random, perfect.
• You can tear pages out: Nobody’s grading this. It’s your safe space.
• Re-read occasionally: You might laugh, cry, or realize you’re braver than you thought.
Final Thought: Journaling is just talking to yourself on paper… except paper never interrupts, judges, or gives unsolicited advice. You can vent, celebrate, wonder, or doodle. Over time, you’ll start noticing patterns, uncovering insights, and maybe even laughing at yourself a little more.
So grab a notebook, pick a pen, and start scribbling. Your Room2Bloom self-care moments just got a tiny but mighty upgrade.
Disclaimer…..Obviously, I made this blog well (the bit that involves using your hands) not for myself because I am unable to grab a pen and write with my tremmory twat of a hand but you can adapt it to a dictaphone if you’re anything like me and feel free to minus the cats.