Browse Through Your Journal to Figure Out What’s Working and What Isn’t

From time to time, it’s a good idea to review your journaling practice to make sure you’re getting the most out of it. Sometimes we find ourselves falling into a pattern of doing things that aren’t actually bringing us any significant benefit. This can happen with your journal writing. Sometimes habits grow stale as we evolve. What you’ve been doing may not be bringing you the results you once received. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to correct this issue. Taking time to browse through your journal can help you to figure out what’s working and what’s not. Keep reading to see what I mean.

Reflect on the Process
Sit down and take some time, first of all, to consider your writing process. Have you been writing the same type of journal entry with little variation on theme or content? Perhaps quick list writing is all you’ve had the energy to put forth lately, but these short writings aren’t as satisfactory as the more in-depth pieces you used to do. Think about your practice. Look back through your entries to see if you can determine a pattern or issue that’s causing you difficulty.

Take Note
Next, it’s time to take note of your observations. Write down what isn’t working for you or any kinds of revelations you notice from your reflections. Don’t forget to note anything that you find is working well for you or that you particularly enjoy. This insight might be the most important of all when it comes to adjusting your journaling. How do you feel about the things you’ve written? Make a notation of that, as well. Don’t hesitate to take another look through your old journal entries to seek clarification or more information if you need to.

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Make Adjustments
Finally, it’s time to look at your reflections and notes to determine how to move forward and make adjustments in order to set a new course for your journal writing. Don’t hesitate to scrap things that aren’t working for you, even if you feel you “should” be doing them. Remember, this is your ritual. It doesn’t matter what the experts say or what your friends are doing. Feel free to make adjustments that will improve your overall journaling practice to bring you the results you desire.

Monitoring your journaling progress is essential to creating a practice that is successful for you. You’ll get the most out of your journal writing when you take the time to assess what’s working for you and what isn’t. Like any practice, journaling evolves as you grow and change. It only makes sense that your writing may also need to grow and change.

Melody Wigdahl
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