10 Journaling Tips: How To Journal When Life Feels Boring

Raise your hand if you ever said “My life is boring.” 🙋🏼‍♀️ I’m totally raising my hand along with you.

I’ve already written about this being something that prevents people from keeping a journal. A blank page can look so intimidating if you’ve never journaled before (and let’s face it, seasoned journalers can feel intimidated as well).

Today, I want to dive deeper and give you some specific tips. If you’re tired at staring at a blank page and don’t know what to write, here are some tips.

1️⃣ Remember that you don’t have to write about your day. 

I mean, yes, you absolutely can write about your day if you want. But you’re also not obligated to write about your day if you don’t want to. 

2️⃣ Consider using prompts.

Journal prompts are pretty easy to find with a simple Google search. Want someplace to start? I’d be happy to send you a Google Doc with some ideas. If this appeals to you, please fill out your name and Email (this adds you to my mailing list!), and I’ll send them your way.

If you don’t want to be on my mailing list, no worries. Journal prompts aplenty can be found all over the internet. 

3️⃣ Try changing your environment.

Sometimes, something as simple as changing your environment can inspire you. Consider doing what you can to change the environment in which you journal. This could be something as simple as writing at your desk rather than your bed or going to a different room. Or, if you’re able, consider heading to a picnic table at a local park or a local coffee shop. 

Whatever works. 

4️⃣ Try writing about something mundane. 

I came across this advice on Reddit from a user called u/Cupids-Sparrow and I thought it was worth repeating:

Comment
byu/jorelishe from discussion
inJournaling

I think this is good advice. Sometimes, we need to write about seemingly boring stuff before we can get to the good stuff.

5️⃣ Try writing about something you’re grateful for.

This feels like the advice that everyone gives, but that’s because there is some evidence supporting the benefits of the practice. My advice: if you’re going to do this, include why you’re grateful. 

A lot of discussion of gratitude journaling seems to skew towards listing things you’re grateful for. If this doesn’t strike your fancy, you could also consider writing a letter of gratitude in your journal.

6️⃣ Try writing about something you saw online.

I know I’m not the only chronically online person out there. If that’s you, tell me if this sounds familiar: 

You read something online that makes you feel a certain type of way. You’re itching to respond, but you know that engaging isn’t always the best course of action. 

When situations like this arise, I find it useful to take a step away from the internet (if I can) and rant about it in my journal. It helps me get things off my chest while not engaging in drama that I know I’ll ultimately regret getting involved in. 

7️⃣ Try writing about a hobby. 

Are you a reader? A movie buff? Binge watching a favorite TV show? Write about that.

8️⃣ Sometimes, inspiration can be found in the most random places.

Maybe you overhead a conversation at a grocery store or saw something funny. Another suggestion from Reddit: try Oracle Cards.

9️⃣ Look for inspiration from other journalers. 

Sometimes, journalers get published. I know that’s stating the obvious, but it feels relevant here. The likes of Susan Sontag, Virginia Wolf, Sylvia Plath, Franz Kafka and Anaïs Nin were pretty prolific journalers and have had some of their journals published. You can also find some journal excerpts online. 

Try reading some. What do you think they did well? Are there ways you can emulate them in your journal?

🔟 Try writing about your dreams, make to-do lists, etc. 

You get the idea. 

What tips would you give someone who wants to journal but doesn’t know what to write?