How to start journaling: fill your notebook with your life

“Trust me, filling your journals with your life will make them even more beautiful.”

I shared that on Instagram, and I mean it. If you have a notebook you love but keep hesitating to write in, I hope this helps you open it.

I have 50 filled journals. I love looking back at all the little pieces of memories I’ve collected in them. There’s something so special about being able to open a book and find your own life inside.

So if you’re wondering how to start journaling, here are a few places to begin.

Start with something you want to remember

When my son went to his first kids’ business fair with his pancake mix business, I was so proud of him. He was talking to customers he’d never met before. His preschool friends, and even his teacher, came to support him. My heart was so full.

When I shared that day on Instagram, I wrote that I couldn’t wait to create a journal spread from it.

There was already so much to write about: his confidence, everyone showing up, and how it felt to be his mama in that moment. Those are the little pieces I want to keep.

Your starting point can be much smaller, too. Something someone said. A lovely afternoon. A feeling you want to spend a little more time with.

Try writing, “I want to remember…” and see what comes after it. You can start right there.

Let photos be part of the page

I’ve shared a tutorial on printing 16 little photos for your journal with a home printer. I love that a moment from your camera roll can become something you get to turn back to on paper.

If words feel difficult today, choose one photo. Write the date beside it, then a little about what was happening or why you chose it. A few words can hold something the picture doesn’t show.

You can leave room to come back and write more. The page is yours.

Make a little sanctuary for yourself

I like to turn my journaling space into a little sanctuary. My journal, a checklist notepad, my fountain pen.

For your own little space, start with a notebook and a pen you enjoy using. Add whatever makes you happy to sit down with them.

I love beautiful stationery, obviously. But I also want you to feel comfortable putting your real thoughts on those lovely pages. Your writing can be messy. You can change your mind halfway through a sentence. You can write something just because you need to get it out.

Open it when you have something to tell yourself

I think of journaling as a conversation with yourself. Sometimes there’s a happy memory you want to keep. Sometimes you’re trying to understand how you feel.

Let yourself reach for your notebook when you need it. If you’ve left it alone for a while, you can open to the next page and begin with what’s on your mind today.

Make a little space for your journals on your bookshelf, too. I think they’re the most meaningful books you’ll ever own. All those pages, filled with your life.

What’s one little thing from today you’d like to remember?

If you’d like to see the notebook I created for these conversations, you can find LOVENOTE here.

Happy journaling!
With love, ❤️
Satomi