If you’re anything like me, you’ve begun to miss the long, sunny days of summer. Fall and winter bring shorter, cloudier days and longer evenings. Even with the holidays to look forward to, the bleak midwinter landscape doesn’t always inspire much cheer.
Thankfully, those darker evenings also create space for quieter, reflective practices. One of my favorites is journaling.
On winter days when the sun sets around 5:00 p.m., I look forward to settling into my library with a cup of tea and opening my journal. Sitting with pen and paper can be a glorious respite from our busy, information-overloaded lives. Like decluttering a messy room, getting thoughts down on a page gives us more room to think.
What is journaling?
If you’re new to journaling, you may wonder what people actually write about. There are many different approaches. Perhaps the most well-known is daily journaling—sometimes called keeping a diary—where you simply record the day’s events. This habit shaped the lives of many people, from Lewis and Clark, to ordinary folks like Noah Blake.
Another approach is expressive journaling, made popular by the research of Dr. James Pennebaker. In expressive journaling, you reflect on the emotions you’re feeling—whether connected to the past day or to a meaningful memory. Pennebaker recommends writing on the same topic consistently for 4–5 days in a row for the greatest benefit. Studies show that this habit can lead to long-term improvements in mood, emotional well-being, and physical health.
Prayer Journaling
For many people, journaling becomes a form of prayer—like writing a letter to God. Many of King David’s psalms read like journal entries: he processes events, expresses emotions, and asks for help. Many are even tied to specific moments in his life, like when he fled from Saul to Gath (Psalm 56).
Other psalms give thanks to God for his deliverance, like this one: “He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Psalm 40:2, ESV). Through journaling, you—like David—can record and remember God’s faithfulness in your life.
Practical Tips and Journaling Prompts
If journaling feels daunting, here are a few simple tips to help you get started:
- Don’t worry if you miss a day. A habit is valuable, but grace is important too.
- Choose a journal that inspires you. You might enjoy Flame Tree Publishing’s art notebooks, Waverly West’s tartan-bound notebooks, or a classic Moleskine.
- To work on your writing skills, take a look at Monica’s writing hacks for homeschool teens, or check out our Essay Writing Workshop.
- Place your smartphone in another room. A recent study shows that having your smartphone in the same room causes distraction—even if you’re not using it.
- Use these simple journaling prompts to help you get started:
- What was the best part of today?
- What would I change if I could re-live today?
- What am I grateful for?
- What am I longing for?
- What am I feeling?
Whether you’re an avid writer or an aspiring beginner, I hope you’ll spend some time with a journal this fall. It can become a source of joy as the days grow short, it can help you process emotions, and it can draw you closer to God.
Here’s to colder nights— and warmer habits.
