Common Journaling Mistakes to Avoid

If you are someone that understands the benefits of journaling and wants to get into it, 
but has a hard time keeping up with it, then this information is for you. It is very possible 
that you are just making some of the more common mistakes people tend to make 
when they start journaling. The good news is that they are easy to correct.


Attempting to Be Perfect

A very common mistake people make when they write in a journal is trying to be perfect. 
This can be related to your handwriting, what you use for your journal, making sure 
spelling and grammar are correct, and even how you choose to write as far as the style 
goes. 

Journal writing is not meant to be seen by someone else, so you are the only one who 
needs to be worried about how and what you write. Don’t feel constricted by proper 
writing rules, or worry about what content you write about it. This is your journal, your 
personal, private space, a place to vent and express your feelings without judgment. 

There is nothing about using a journal that needs to be perfect – as long as YOU are 
happy with it.


Doing Only One Kind of Writing

It is also a good idea to avoid getting too comfortable or routine with what you write 
about. You can mix it as up as much as you want, going from writing about your goals, 
to tracking symptoms, to just venting your feelings. If you have a bad day, feel free to 
write in a negative context, then go back to your normal optimistic, happy self with the 
next journal entry. If you feel like you always have to write the same way, always use 
prompts, or always talk about the same thing, you will get bored very quickly.


Creating Rules for Yourself

There are many rules people tend to make for themselves when they first start a journal. 
Some of them might be good for the short-term, such as writing the same time every 
day to build up a habit, but that doesn’t mean they have to last forever. The more rules 
you have, the more difficult it will be to enjoy writing in your journal and actually benefit 
from it. 


Giving Up Too Soon

You might not notice the impact journaling has on you right away. It could take weeks or 
even months before you understand why people enjoy it so much. You might need to try 
new things, use different tools, switch up your journaling format, or just be persistent 
before you finally get it and start to love what journaling can do for you.



