How to Begin A Journal
Writing in a journal is your opportunity to reflect on significant (or not-so-significant) events that happen in your life. Whether you use a journal to reflect on what happened to you that day, or you use it to reflect on your thoughts about yourself or your future, a journal is an effective way to get your thoughts down on paper. Alternatively, you can keep a journal on your computer by using a word processing program.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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Purchase a notebook and a pen if you intend to create a handwritten journal. Alternatively, begin a new word processing file on your computer if you intend to keep a typewritten journal. For example, click "Start," "All Programs" and click "Microsoft Word" (or the name of your own word processor) to open a new word processing file.
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Find a quiet place in which you can think and write out your entry uninterrupted. For example, you own bedroom will suffice if it is quiet and no one is likely to interrupt your writing.
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Think of a topic about which to write for your first entry. Many journal writers reflect on the previous day's, or previous week's experiences. For example, you can write about what happened to you yesterday. A daily entry can capture significant events, such as your birthday celebration, a positive or negative life experience that taught you a lesson, or a simple review of the day's events.
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Write out your journal entry, beginning with an introduction, such as "Yesterday was an amazing day." Because it is your journal, you can format it any way you like. Think of a title for the day's entry, and write it at the top-center of the page. Alternatively, write the day's date at the top of the page. Use paragraphs to note your experiences.
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End the journal entry with a sentence that reflects on the entry. For example, if you are writing a reflection on how you saw someone helped in her time of need, end it with something that you feel, such as "I wish that more people would treat others with respect. The world would be a better place for it."
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Save the journal on your computer if you typed it. Click "File," "Save As" and enter a name for the journal. Select a "Save To" location at the top of the window. Click "Save." Close the program by clicking the "X" button at the top of the word processor window.
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