“Dear Diary… Now What?” - A Beginner’s Guide to Journalling
Let’s be honest, when someone says, “you should start journalling,” it can feel like just another thing to add to your already packed to-do list. But journalling isn’t meant to be perfect, aesthetic, or even daily. It’s meant to be yours - a quiet space, a safe outlet, away to get out of your own head and reflect.
At be.retreats, we’ve seen how powerful it can be to slow down, reflect, and put pen to paper—especially when life feels a bit too loud. Whether you're mid-retreat surrounded by nature or sitting in your pyjamas at home, journalling can be your go-to space to check in with yourself.
Here’s how to get started when you have no clue how to go about it:
1. Start Messy
You don’t need a fancy notebook (although we won’t stop you if you love a pretty one). Any paper will do. This is for you, not the internet.
2. Ditch the “Dear Diary” Voice
Journalling doesn’t have to be a full account of your day. It can be a single word, a rant, a doodle, a memory, a feeling you can’t quite name yet. There’s no one reading this but you, so write like no one’s watching.
3. Don’t Edit Your Feelings
It’s tempting to filter ourselves on paper the same way we do at work or on our social media. But your journal is your judgment-free zone. Don’t worry about making sense or being too dramatic. This is where you get to feel it all - messy, honest, and unfiltered.
4. Try Prompts if You’re Stuck
Blank pages are intimidating. If your mind goes quiet, try a prompt. Some of our favourites are:
“Right now, I feel…”
“Something I need today is…”
“A moment I want to remember…”
“What’s taking up space in my mind?”
“Three things I’m grateful for”
Still stuck? Pretend you’re sending a voice note to your best friend updating them on how your day went. What would you say?
5. Set the Scene (or Don’t)
Light a candle, make yourself a cup of tea, sit in your car, journal while waiting for the bus. There’s no “perfect” journalling vibe – do whatever works best for you.
6. Make It a Check-In, Not a Chore
Let journalling be something that you need - not something that makes you feel guilty for skipping a day. This practice is meant to support your mental health - not stress you out. It’s a way to process thoughts, ease anxiety, and create a little breathing room in your mind. Even one entry can bring clarity or calm when things feel overwhelming.
7. Use Journalling to Anchor Travel
At be.retreats, journalling is often part of the experience. There’s something about being in a new place that opens you up - and writing it all down helps you hold onto those shifts long after you’ve gone home. Use your journal to track how you’re feeling at the beginning, middle, and end of a trip. You might be surprised by how much changes. It’s also great to go back and reflect on some of the most amazing memories you make on a trip.
8. Make It Yours
And last but not least, there’s no one way to journal. Some people write letters to their past selves, others track habits, dreams, moods, some draw, some list. Some pour their hearts out in long paragraphs. Whatever brings you clarity, comfort, or keeps you calm - that’s the right way.
Journalling is more than just writing - it’s processing your emotions. It’s how we peel back the layers and get to know ourselves again. Whether you’re in a really good place or wading through something heavy and daunting, journalling meets you right where you are.
And if you’re craving even more space to reflect, heal, and reconnect with people, come join us on a be.retreats trip. We’ll bring the prompts, the peaceful settings, and all the space you need - judgment-free, as always.