Create or Find a Journal Your Excited About and Get Started with Goal Setting

When you think about finding happiness in your life, it’s natural to think about making changes for your future; however, reflecting on and processing your past will allow you to move forward with less baggage. Having a notebook that isn’t intimidating to write in and that you’re excited to use makes journaling less daunting!

For some of you, it may be a small notebook so filling up a page feels easier. For others, it might be journaling on a tablet, phone, or computer you already carry around. No matter your preference on size, design, cost, or if you prefer to purchase or decorate, or make from scratch, there are countless options available. Find what works for you and know you can always switch it up if what you start with isn’t the right fit.

For me, the journal I will use is a pretty notebook that doesn’t have too many pages. Standard journals feel like a never ending task to complete which makes the concept of journaling feel overwhelming. As an added bonus, I get the excitement of starting fresh more often. This time around, I chose a Pen+Gear $1 notebook from Walmart. I decorated it with stickers and a sticky wall decal from dollar tree. You don’t have to spend a lot or being artist to create a fun journal.

We are going to start the journal off with writing down your goals. Every 12ish weeks, we are going to circle back to our goals and reflect on them. It’s okay to have big goals, but try to give yourself some achievable mini goals within those bigger goals. This can be a bulleted list or a paragraph, whatever feels easier for you.

It’s important to remember, achieving your goals is not what will make you happy. Writing them down is important because it can help pave your journey, but the journey is the most important part. Focus on being proud of yourself for starting, enjoying the process, accepting that breaks can be just as important as progress, and recognizing that goals change along the way. Happiness comes when we start to recognize that the journey is more important than the outcome.

Join me every Sunday for a new journal prompt to end or begin your week with some self reflection!

What is your favorite method of journaling? Do you like using a specific kind of notebook? A bright, colorful pen? Share your favorites in the comments. Feel free to share your goals as well!