10 Self Care Journaling Ideas to Nurture Yourself
Self care journaling is a great way to support yourself in life. When you journal for self-care, you’re putting together a writing of different ideas to help you feel more peace and joy.
I’ve worked on doing journaling more often in my life, and it’s helped to clear my mind, and give me a sense of optimism on my path forward.
If you’re unsure of topics, questions, or prompts to get you started, here are 10 ideas you can use for your self care journal.
10 Self Care Journaling Ideas
1. Write the good parts of your day
It doesn’t hurt to start your self care journal off on a positive note. You can start it off that way by writing down the good parts of your day.
Did you have a good time with someone today? Did you enjoy a great workout? Was there something new you learned that inspired you?
Write these or any other good moment that happened in your day. In a way, you’ll be reliving those good feelings again.
2. Write the bad parts of your day
There are good parts of our days, and then of course there are also bad parts. Sometimes they can stay in your mind all day, weighing you down with negative emotions.
When you’re writing in your journal, this can be your time to let out all of those bad moments that happened.
Talk about how you felt in that moment, what you wish would have happened differently. Letting out all of the emotion of the bad parts of your day can be a way to give yourself a good release.
You may feel less weighed down by those emotions after you write them down.
3. Note what you were thinking about today
We think a lot of different thoughts in our days. Sometimes we’re dwelling over a major life decision that we’re considering. Other times we may be thinking about moments in our past that continue to come up in our thoughts.
Whatever it is you were thinking today, write those thoughts down. There are some thoughts that we probably rarely admit to anyone. Self-care journaling could be the one avenue you can actually release your deepest and darkest thoughts.
4. Write answers to why
It can sometimes help to go a little bit deeper into your thoughts and feelings. Ask yourself why you’re thinking and feeling certain things.
Why are you feeling certain insecurities in your life currently? Why are you struggling with certain emotions right now?
When you try to answer those “why” questions, you might find it helps you get to a deeper understanding about yourself.
Maybe it leads you to some past issues you need to heal from. I like this idea that there’s usually something deeper behind the frustrations we often feel in life.
5. Make a gratitude list
As I’ve noted in a previous article on gratitude, there’s numerous research that shows when we think about what we’re grateful for, it can help us feel good.
A gratitude list can be particularly great for the bad days you have in life. No matter how bad your day may have been, it’s always possible you can find something to be grateful for.
On bad days I had in college, I was always grateful to be back in my apartment for the day, and no longer having to deal with anyone but myself.
If you’re struggling to think of something to be grateful for, you can use my gratitude list article to get some ideas.
6. Write positive memories
When we find our minds going back to the past, so often our mind goes towards the negative. That one bad moment we’ve never been able to just forget about. Things we wish we would have done if we could go back in time.
You can use your journal to re-shift your focus when it comes to your past. Life may not be turning out exactly the way you planned, but there’s still a lot of good that’s happened anyway.
Take time to reflect on some of the most positive moments in your life. Maybe it’ll inspire you to re-create those positive moments again.
At the very least, it’ll help you be more kind to yourself about acknowledging you’ve given yourself some pretty good moments in life.
7. Keep a list of your favorite activities
Making a list of your favorite activities should be an essential part of your journaling for self care. When you need to give yourself day of self-care, you can go to this list of favorite activities, and schedule them in your day.
It’ll save you the time of having to think about what to do for yourself. Some examples of self-care activities you might enjoy include having a nice bubble bath, enjoying a walk in nature, or doing something creative
You can continually add to this list, so you have a variety of options to consider when you need some self-care in your day.
8. Keep a list of your favorite meals
Sometimes a delicious meal can be a way to give ourselves a nice boost in our day. You can write down a list of some of your favorite meals that you enjoy.
When you need that boost, you can look to your journal to pick out one of those meals you can make or buy. Preferably, it’s helpful if these meals are ones that are good for you too.
9. Make a goal list
Another really useful journaling tip is to make a goal list. Don’t just write the goals down, but also decide that you’re going to try to do one thing everyday that gets you closer to that goal.
You can write down what you did in your day that was your one step towards your goal. It can be a great way to keep yourself motivated.
10. Write down your hopes for the future
We all have hopes and dreams for the future. It can be useful to write down affirmations to keep your mind focused on them.
I like to share this research I read once a lot with people. Those who view themselves as lucky aren’t necessarily more lucky than everyone else, they’re just more open-minded to finding an opportunity that will make their desires happen, among other traits.
With writing down affirmations and giving yourself a hope that you’ll make the future you want happen, you’ll be less likely to miss the opportunities in front of you to make those hopes happen.
Think about it. If you don’t believe something is going to happen, then you’re just not going to pay as much attention to potential opportunities that could make it happen.
The true power of writing affirmations is it helps you be more aware of how you can make your desires happen, because you’re focused on wanting that desire to happen.
I’d say this is probably one of the most important for journal techniques you should be doing.
What is a self-care journal?
A self-care journal is a journal you use to make yourself feel better and live better. You can use your journal in many different ways to improve yourself and make yourself happier.
What do you put in self-care journal?
You can put all of your thoughts, feelings, and deepest desires in your journal. All of these journaling ideas I’ve listed can be a great way to use your journal to make your life better.
Consider getting yourself a notebook and start making journaling a part of your daily routine. You might find it will greatly improve your life and make you a better person.
Inspiring video on journaling
Inspiring articles you might like
7 Ways to Stop Struggling in Life and Start Being Happy Again
How to Not Let Things Bother You and Stay Positive in Life
How to Chase Happiness The Right Way and Find More Fulfillment in Life
Very nice article. Thank you!