What stops people from starting a journal? There is a lot of research now about how writing in a journal creates positive habits, promotes productivity, helps deal with life challenges, and helps recognize positive influences and situations.
Over the years, we've spoken to many people about what stops 'them'. We listed some of them here, followed by our journal process and how we overcome these obstacles.
✒️ I’ve never written before.
✒️ I don’t like to write.
✒️ I’ve never written a journal before.
✒️ I don’t know what to write.
✒️ I have nothing to share.
✒️ I don’t have any problems.
✒️ I don’t want to look at my problems.
✒️ I don’t want to feel vulnerable.
✒️ What if someone else reads it?
✒️ I don’t have time.
✒️ Journals are about feeling good. Expressing gratitude. I’m f*cked.
✒️ Journals are about facing challenges. Dealing with trauma. I’m fine.
✒️ Journals are wishy-washy emotional black holes. I’m fine.
✒️ I write the same stuff over and over.
✒️ I tried but couldn’t make it a habit.
✒️ I don’t feel safe letting the things inside me out.
Starting anything can be hard. Starting something that makes us connect and look at ourselves? That can be damn scary. For me, writing isn’t an issue. I’ve been doing it since I was a kid. But creating a productive journal was hard. I vented my anger, blamed others, and projected my frustrations onto the page. My journal was my friend. But it was not a healthy friendship. I abused the hell out of it. Over time, our relationship grew into a healthy habit.
When I don’t know what to write, I put pen to paper. Sometimes it’s a random thought or a single word, and that’s okay. Not every entry needs to be profound. If I don’t know what to write, I look at the small things. Even writing about my morning coffee is a win. The important thing is getting something on the page.
Admitting we have a problem sucks. It’s easy to deny issues, but I’ve learned to write about them as if they’re someone else’s, then apply that insight to myself. I break them down on the page as "me” and "you/they”. This helps me confront my own challenges.
Feeling vulnerable is tough, but I remind myself that it’s okay to open up. The page is private. Early on, I masked vulnerability with anger. Now, I let the emotion out and then detach. I ask, "Why do I feel vulnerable?" It doesn’t make the feeling go away, but I can better understand what triggers the feeling, which helps me better manage it next time.
Finding time to journal can be tricky, but I link it with a daily ritual—drinking coffee. Whether it’s a quick entry or a longer one, I write during my coffee time because I always have coffee time. If I miss a day, I cut myself some slack because I know there will be coffee tomorrow.
I don’t like the “gratitude” buzz we are binge-fed now. Just be grateful, and everything is ok. Bullshit. Everyone has something going on. To deny that is delusion. But journaling is about balance - acknowledging both the positive and the negative. I’m not naturally cheerful, but I’ve learned the importance of recognising good things, no matter how small. Focusing only on positivity or negativity is unhealthy; it’s essential to face challenges and celebrate to achieve true well-being.
When I write the same stuff over and over, I pay attention. Am I filling space, or is there something deeper I need to explore? Journaling helps me address underlying issues rather than ignore them.
Forming a journaling habit takes discipline and perseverance. Most things are uncomfortable at first, but pushing through that discomfort leads to growth. Even when life gets in the way, writing about why it’s difficult to maintain the habit often helps me find solutions. I build the habit by writing about struggling to build the habit. Go figure.
Journaling is a process of self-discovery and emotional exploration. It’s not easy, but it is simple. It’s worth the effort. My journey led to creating a journal structure to help myself and others overcome the obstacles that hold them back.