May is Mental Health Month, so all month long here at MMW, I’ll be touching on some of the mental health aspects of wellness.

Over the past month we have talked about how counting or labeling our breath can ease tension in our bodies and minds. We’ve also looked at using exercise intuitively, as a way of thanking our bodies instead of punishing them. I also shared a bit about how I try to keep my Mental Health Dimension healthy. Today, I’d like to revisit a mental health topic that I’ve discussed before… journaling.

Late last year, I let you guys in on my system for journaling and, as with most things, it has evolved a bit. So I thought I’d share a bit of an update, including some pics of my new set up and some tricks to get started if you are interested.

My journal system is a hybrid between a traveler’s notebook and a bullet journal. I wish I had some astounding bullet journal art to show you, but sketching is not my strong suit. I do really enjoy the straightforwardness of the bullet journal system, though. One simple place for everything you need and anything you can dream up.

What I don’t love about the bullet journal system is the disorganization. Most bullet journals have a table of contents, but it would drive me nuts to have to constantly be looking things up. And I would get frustrated when my random life bits ended up in between calendar pages. I have to have things categorized people! So I prefer to use a traveler’s notebook cover and insert system to keep like things together.

I have an insert for all things calendar related. Now, to be completely honest, none of my appointments, meetings, or weekly happenings actually end up in these pages. My husband and I both teach and like most families, things change quickly, so we use Google Calendar on our phones for those items.

What I do use the calendar for, though, is to track everything else. I have a monthly spread which is basically a tracker. Workouts, meditation, posts for the blog and Instagram, social and support network communication, my period, it’s all there. Color coded so that I can spot trends at a glance. Besides just looking pretty, there is a reason that all those bullet journal tracker pages on Pinterest are in color. Being able to see at a quick glance that you haven’t talked to your mom or best friend in awhile is really helpful.

I use the weekly pages for planning dinners, writing to do lists, keeping random notes, and most importantly, for gratitude journaling. I’ve touched on how much this one simple practice makes such a difference, but I don’t think I can overstate it. Finding something positive about every single day will change your outlook in ways you can’t imagine.

My second insert is for all the random bits of my life. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, part of my Mental Health Dimension goals are to read different books. I have extended that to watching different movies and TV shows as well. I don’t watch much, but I want to be seeing new things when I do set aside that time. So I use this section to list. Plus, it’s fun to add it up at the end of the year. For example, I knew I liked to read, and last year, I read 41 books. Actually read them, with my eyes. Of course now, I want to beat that record this year!

My third insert is for all things blog related. This section really got an upgrade from last year (could you tell without me actually saying that?). I was just using a completely blank insert to jot down ideas for posts. If I remembered I’d leave some space in a margin somewhere to note if I had actually written something or taken pictures.

Now this section is divided by months. The first page of every month is for my posting schedule, (mostly here and Instagram currently). The second page is my month end wrap up. This spot is where I write down all the data like number of pageviews and how many followers I have. The third and fourth pages are where I plan my blog content, including space to note if articles have been written, pictures taken, and everything edited.

At the beginning of this insert I have a page that is covered with small Post-Its. The Post-Its have all of my ideas for blog posts. I simply peel them off the leader page and paste them in the planning blocks. I can move them around to my heart’s content without a ton of scratch outs. Then, when content is locked in, I write it in pen in the appropriate block.

I am sure that you are asking yourself how in the world all of that contributes to my mental health and doesn’t actually cause more stress. Admittedly that’s a good question, and if I’m being honest with you (and myself) it’s because that is who I am. I like to have things written down. When I know I have a place for all of it, I am less likely to stress about what I have forgotten.

But, I certainly understand that my process doesn’t work for everyone. So if you would like to take advantage of all the mental health benefits that a daily journaling practice can bring, here are a few simple things you can do to jump start your own journal.

First, be honest with yourself about who you are. If you hate to write, then don’t make a commitment to journal for an hour every day. Start with something you feel is do-able and, just as important, make it something you feel is important. If you are working towards a weight loss or fitness goal, start by simply keeping track of your workouts. What you did each day. If you want to use the bullet journal tracker idea, get yourself a dedicated calendar and track, well, whatever you want.

If you like lists, keep a list of all the books you have read or podcasts you listened to and then challenge yourself to do more next month. If you like to write, try using writing prompts. Pinterest and the internet are full of easy to implement ideas on this one. There is no rule that says you need to strictly write, either. If you are in to art, get yourself a sketchbook and challenge yourself to 15 minutes of daily drawing or painting (then please share it with me so I can marvel at your talent).

And, I know you guys know what is coming next, but here it is. If nothing else, start a daily gratitude practice. It is so easy and takes only five minutes. Those moments spent thinking about the good in your life are a gift you are giving yourself every single day.

How will you start a journaling practice? Tell us about it in the comments!

Until next time, be well (and writing) friends!