How to Start A Journaling Practice (and Actually Stick With It) + whimsy tips & pages/prompts to try!
a comprehensive guide to journaling
hello my beautiful community! here on The Fairy & The Moon there is no shortage of journaling content, I consistently post journal prompts, self love guides with journaling excercises (for my paid community), and we really just talk about journaling a LOT! so i thought this week we could go back to basics and go over some of the pillars for beginning a journaling practice that will actually work for you, how to create a routine that sticks, and even some guidance on how to begin! eeek lets dive in im so excited!
journaling is one of those things that we hear a lot about, or may feel curious to try, but we aren’t often aware of the why. i began journaling consistently over 11 years ago now, and i have gathered a pretty extensive collection of my journals at this point. the benefits have been endless.
journaling is a sacred process that has saved my life more times than i can count. it has helped me connect with myself, it has shown me my blind spots, it has prompted healing that was otherwise halted, it has helped me become who i am today. i will tell you this: i met myself because of journaling. and i eventually became my own best friend, because of journaling. no, like seriously, we are best friends. i know myself the way a mother knows her own. i am my own. and it is an honor to be connected to myself.
my credentials (lol):
i typically keep deeper guides like this inside the lessons in self love library (a growing archive for my paid community), but this one felt too special not to share with everyone. check out the most recent lessons in self love post, its 7 days of self love (that you can do anytime!) and it includes journaling prompts!! <3
the benefits of journaling:
an easy way to empty the mind: i know that i am not the only one who struggles with overthinking, rumination, and negative thoughts. it truly is an ongoing practice for me to care for the quality and tone of my thoughts. the first way to manage the buildup of not-so-fun thinking, is to pour it out. journaling acts as a physical way to do so. by writing what is building up, we are able to truly release it all.
an incredible way to connect with yourself: i genuinely cannot possibly count the amount of times that i have discovered new aspects of myself, come up with fresh ideas, or felt like i healed something while i am journaling. its like having a conversation with yourself, and it is SUCH an easy, actionable way to do so.
a beautiful way to memory-keep: i use journaling to keep memories, often pasting pictures and writing down beautiful (and not so lovely) things that have occured. its created a literal collection of books of my life and the things i have gone through and it is such a joy to look back on.
evidence of your growth: ugh, possible one of my favorite benefits. it is just SO cool to look back on old entries and see how much i have grown or changed. i also love seeing prayers that have come true, or watching myself want something that i now have.
a real tool for healing: writing really is an incredibly effective way to heal. it is a powerful companion to any kind of healing journey. whether you are working through something difficult, intending to grow in certain aspects, or fostering deeper connection with yourself. i have healed so, so many times through writing.
if you feel stuck when you try to journal:
starting something new — especially something that asks you to be honest with yourself — can feel surprisingly hard.
if you’ve ever opened your journal and immediately felt stuck, distracted, or unsure… you’re not alone in that at all.
here are a few gentle ways to move through some of the most common blocks:
“i don’t know what to write”
start simple. you don’t need the perfect thought — just begin with something like “today i feel…” or “lately i’ve been thinking about…” and let it unfold from there.
“i keep overthinking it”
try writing badly on purpose. messy sentences, run-on thoughts, no structure. your journal is not something to get right — it’s somewhere to be real.
“i don’t have time”
you don’t need a full, quiet morning to journal. set a timer for 2–5 minutes and write whatever comes up. a few honest lines are more than enough.
“i can’t stay consistent”
consistency doesn’t have to mean every day. it can look like coming back when you feel the need to. this is something you return to, not something you keep up with perfectly.
“i start, but i don’t go deep”
you don’t always have to. some days your journal will hold surface thoughts, other days it will hold something deeper. both are part of the practice.
“i feel disconnected when i try”
that’s okay too. even just sitting with the page, even writing “i don’t know what to say right now” is still a form of connection.
how to build a consistent practice:
the trick with a consistent journaling practice is that it has to be something you pour love into. it has to feel like a lovely part of your life — not a burden, not a task, not something sitting on your to-do list that you avoid.
and one of the quickest ways to kill that feeling is to stack a bunch of rules and expectations on top of it.
so before anything else, gently let those go.
there is no rule book for journaling. there is no right way to do it. you don’t need to write a certain amount, or write in a certain style, or even make sense half the time. this is your space. let it be messy, let it be soft, let it be something you don’t judge. that’s when it becomes what it’s meant to be — a freeing, healing place you can return to.
redefining consistency
consistency doesn’t have to mean “every day.”
consistency can simply mean:
something you come back to.
something that exists in your life as a place you know you can return to — without pressure, without guilt, without needing to do it perfectly.
for some people, that might look like journaling every morning.
for others, it might look like a few times a week.
and for some, it might look like picking it up whenever something is on your heart.
all of those are valid.
a consistent practice isn’t built through force — it’s built through relationship. the more your journal feels like a safe, inviting place, the more naturally you’ll come back to it.
make it something you look forward to
one of the most helpful things you can do is make journaling feel like a moment.
light a candle, bring a drink, sit outside, play music, or take yourself somewhere new. i love journaling in my backyard with a little snack, or going to a new coffee shop and making it feel like a date with myself.
it doesn’t have to be elaborate — just intentional.
when your brain starts to associate journaling with something cozy, calm, or even a little special, it becomes something you want to do, not something you have to push yourself into.
a few ways to make it stick (gently)
keep your journal somewhere visible so it’s easy to reach for
pair journaling with something you already do (like your morning coffee or winding down at night)
set a timer for just a few minutes instead of waiting for the “perfect time”
let short entries count — a few lines is enough
remove the pressure to be deep every time
my approach to consistency
i’ve been journaling for over a decade, and one of the biggest reasons i’ve stayed consistent is because i’ve never forced myself to do it on a schedule.
i’ve never told myself it has to be every day, or a certain number of times a week. for me, that takes the life out of it.
instead, i let it be something i return to.
and if i notice it’s been a few days or even a week, i do one of my favorite things — a little “here’s what you missed”entry. i’ll sit down, maybe print out a few pictures, and write little updates about what’s been going on.
it turns what could feel like “falling behind” into something that feels joyful and connective — like catching up with a long distance best friend.
if structure feels good to you
you also get to create a practice that does have structure, if that’s what supports you.
maybe you want to journal every morning, or keep a nightly gratitude list, or check in with yourself a few times a week. if having a rhythm or routine feels grounding, that’s beautiful.
just make sure it still feels like something you’re choosing — not something you’re measuring yourself against.
you’re allowed to shift it. you’re allowed to miss days. you’re allowed to change what journaling looks like for you.
this is for you, not something you have to get right.
make it a little fun
sometimes consistency is also just about making something feel a little more inviting.
you can:
keep a small chart at the beginning of your journal and add a star or sticker each time you write
use pens or colors you love
create little “just for fun” pages in between entries
it doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful.
alright, lets get to the best part in my opinion…
paid subscribers receive access to the Lessons In Self Love Library — a growing collection of guided exercises, journaling rituals, and deep dive self love practices to help you slow down, reconnect, and deepen your relationship with yourself.
Lets Get Whimsy With Journaling༊*·˚
Step One: Picking a Journal
i have had soooooo many beautiful journals over the years, and my style of favorite journal has totally gone through phases. but there is nothing quite as sweet as picking out your journal. maybe you love a hard cover, or you prefer blank pages, or you like something soft and compact. or you’re wanting to build a keepsake leather journal where you can switch out the inserts. whatever you fancy, it is calling you! and the cool thing about building a consistent practice is that you can always switch up your vibe later on.
Step Two: The Fun Additions
i looooove decorating my journal!!! you can decorate the cover, or the first page, and write the start date! i usually keep my journaling pretty inexpensive by mostly printing pictures and using a good old glue stick. but here is my list of optional journal companion tools.
gooooood pens: you gotta find pens you LOVE!!! lately i have been obsessed with the sarasa zebra line, its super smooth and thin. and i usually pair it with the mildliner highlighters. a good old faithful that i’ve always loved is the pilot g-2.
COLOR!: you gotta have colorful pens at that… or color pencils, or markers, or highlighters, or crayons. but whatever you do, add in some color!
pictures: most of the beauty within my journals comes from printing pictures. theres multiple ways you can do this whether its your at home printer, or a store, or a portable photo printer. but you can also utilize whats around you, find an old magazine or purchase a collage book, get crafty and paste a few things to just add a bit of whimsy!
there is a whole world of washi tape, stickers, and all of the things. if you have the extra cash on hand, go visit your local stationary store or find one online and see if anything calls out to you! i always find that when i have a couple things to beautify my journal with, i always feel more inclined to journal.
Step Three: The Just-For-Fun Pages
for me, my journal has pages and pages of writing and just good ol’ basic journaling. but throughout, i love to do pages just for fun. whether thats a colorful gratitude page, a page with just a picture from pinterest, or a quote i love that i write really big. the just-for-fun pages take away some of the pressure and turn it into something that feels a bit more whimsical. (ideas for journal pages will be later in this article!)
Step Four: Make It A Whole Moment!
i love grabbing all my supplies, and bringing them all outdoors or to some place lovely and special. play music, light a candle, get in the vibe!
Step Five: Get Excited To Finish!
i stay excited to complete a journal with a few little tricks.
write a little completion letter at the end: when i finish a journal i love to go back and take a peek through my journey, and then i write a bit of a synopsis at the end.
store the finished ones in a special spot: an entire shelf of my bookshelf is reserved for my completed journals! and it just feels sacred to put a newly finished one there.
get excited to pick out your next one!: put intention and whimsy into the picking of your next journal, by really going towards what kind of journal is calling to you!
if you want something to follow, something to actually move through, here’s a gentle place to begin, pick whatever calls out to you!:
Journal Page Ideas + Prompts
✨ journal page ideas
a “currently” page (what you’re loving, feeling, listening to, learning)
a photo dump page from your week + little captions
a gratitude page, written in colorful pens
a “brain dump” page — no structure, just everything on your mind
a page dedicated to a song you love (lyrics + what it means to you)
a “what’s been on my heart lately” page
a future vision page (what you’re calling in, softly)
a memory page from a really good day
a page of quotes that feel like you
a “things i want to remember” list
🌿 gentle prompts to begin
a simple way to begin (5-minute reset):
set a timer for 5 minutes, put your phone away, and choose just one prompt from above. don’t overthink it — just start writing. when the timer ends, close your journal and take a deep breath. that’s enough for today.
what has been on my mind lately?
what am i currently feeling, underneath everything else?
what do i need more of in this season of my life?
what has been draining me?
what has been quietly nourishing me?
what am i learning about myself right now?
what feels uncertain?
what feels true?
what would slowing down look like for me right now?
what do i need to hear today?
if you’re still not sure where to begin, just write about your day.
what happened, how you felt, what stood out.
it doesn’t have to be deep to be meaningful.
journaling doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. it doesn’t have to be consistent to be real, and it definitely doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s version to be working. all it has to be is yours. a place where you can come as you are — on the good days, the confusing days, the in-between seasons where nothing quite makes sense yet. a place where you can be honest, where you can process, where you can slowly come back to yourself. and if you take anything from this, let it be this: you don’t need to wait to become a “journaling person” to begin. you begin… and that’s what makes you one. start messy, start small, start today, or next week, or whenever it feels right. your journal will meet you there.
from my heart to yours,
Rhiana Meri
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✧.* a lil’ note before you go:
paid subscribers receive access to the Lessons In Self Love Library, a growing archive of tangible tools for self love. each month, 2–4 immersive new posts arrive: self love lessons, guided exercises, and journaling collections to help you slow down, reconnect, and weave self love into your daily life. you’ll also receive exclusive reflections, guided audio meditations, and digital journal pages. you’ll join a more intimate space to nurture and transform your relationship with yourself.
if you’re curious to join, you can do so here. and if you’re already a member, thank you from the bottom of my heart, your presence in this space truly means the world.
Your journal collection makes me wish I kept all of my childhood journals. I still have a lock that belonged to one of mine but I no longer have the journal :(
This is just so fantastic on so many levels. My relationship with journaling hasn’t always been easy (my mom read all my diaries growing up). These prompts and the whimsical portions are so helpful for helping heal this little bit of myself! Thank you!! 🫶🏻🌷