Over the years, journaling and I have had an on-and-off relationship.
When I was a little girl, I called it keeping a diary — a place to scribble secrets and doodles.
In my teen years, journaling became more about pouring my deepest thoughts onto paper, like the pages were my closest friend.

But this past year, I discovered something new — you can journal about anything.

There are so many types of journals:
Daily journals, weekly journals, “when inspiration hits” journals.
Digital journaling, junk journaling, gratitude journaling, scrapbook-style journaling, travel journals, mixed media journals… the list goes on.

And here’s the thing: not all styles work for everyone.

Finding My Own Style of Journaling

This year, I’ve finally figured out what works best for me — and it’s actually two completely different approaches.

1. My Yearly Journal

This is my treasure chest of memories.
It’s a mix of junk journaling, scrapbooking, and simple written reflections.
I don’t document every single day — instead, I focus on the most meaningful moments:

• Traveling to Washington to see my friend graduate

• Hiking with my mom on the 4th of July

• Tickets, photos, pressed flowers, little notes I want to keep forever

At the end of each month, I add a reflection page. I jot down:

• Things worth mentioning that didn’t make it into my main pages

• What I did well

• Things I could improve on

• Small goals I’m aiming for

• How I felt that month

It’s not just a record — it’s a way to see how I’ve grown.

2. My Daily Journal

This one is completely different. It’s my “brain dump” space — one page a day, no rules.
I try to write in the morning so I can start the day with a clear mind.
Some entries are deep, others are simple:

“I’m tired.”
“Need to drink more water.”
“Excited about finishing my painting today.”

The magic is in the release — the act of getting thoughts out of my head so they don’t pile up.
I used to believe journaling had to be poetic or profound, but I’ve learned the little things count too.

Why Journaling Works for Me

Journaling has helped me in more ways than I expected:

• It’s a creative outlet — I get to play without worrying about the end result.

• It’s self-care — even a few minutes of writing can ease my mind.

• It’s a tool for growth — I can look back and see patterns in my thoughts, emotions, and habits.

If you’ve been looking for a way to release stress, express yourself, or simply try something new, I can’t recommend journaling enough. You don’t have to show your pages to anyone. You don’t need fancy supplies. Just start — and let the process surprise you like it did me.

💬 Do you journal?

What’s your favorite style? I’d love to hear about it in the comments or on Instagram — tag your post with #CreateWithMata so I can see!