How to Create a Relaxing Place to Journal

Have you been thinking about journaling daily? Creating a relaxing place to journal is paramount to sticking with it. While you don’t need to have an entire room dedicated to journaling, you will want to have a quiet space you can retreat to, stocked with pens, creative tools, and everything you will use during your writing time.

Here are some tips that have helped me journal pretty consistently since I was a teenager thanks to always having a relaxing and cozy place to release my thoughts into a notebook.

Eliminate Distractions

To design your perfect journaling space, you need to remove distractions and ensure you have a quiet space. You will need a special area to write your thoughts and feelings clearly onto the paper. This area should be one free of people of all ages, relationships, and needs (ie., no spouses, partners, children, family, etc.). I’d even go as far as saying it should be free of pets if possible because you want to have a distraction-free zone where you can fully focus on your thoughts and writing.

If you have kids, you can do it when they are in bed or you could create a quiet space in your bedroom where you won’t be disturbed. Several of my friends have created spaces in their closets. I have created a space in my living room and do my journaling after my daughter goes to sleep.

You can journal anywhere that is comfortable and quiet. If you enjoy the outdoors, it can be there. If you enjoy your car, it can be there. Create a small journal tote that includes your pens, journal, and some creative tools to take with you so you are prepared wherever you are!

Eliminate Clutter & Add Greenery

Wherever you choose to base your journaling space, it’s important to eliminate any clutter. When a space is cluttered, it can cause our mind to become cluttered too. So, clean up the area and make sure it is organized. The more organized your journaling space, the easier you will find it to write.

Make your journaling space as pleasant as you can. This means it should be visually appealing as well as comfortable. Adding a plant to the space can help to give it a sense of calm and tranquility. There are hundreds of different types of plants, ensuring there is one to match your preferences.

Plants are also known to improve air quality, boosting the oxygen within the space. Not all plants will boost air quality so be sure to look specifically for plants that do so to see the most benefits. (Visit this list to learn about various indoor plants to liven up your space.)

Leverage the Power of Smell

When you are going to write, you can control how you feel with the power of scent. You can create a relaxing, calming space by using a Lavender scent for example. Or you can improve your focus and concentration with a citrus scent.

Think about a scent that helps you to feel calmer and more focused. Whatever scent you love, if you add it to your journaling routine, you’ll look forward to doing it.

If you look around this site, you will find several diffuser recipes for essential oils. If you want to learn more about Young Living’s monthly specials, you can look here before shopping my site (if you aren’t already a customer with another Brand Partner).

On my professional website, http://www.ShellVera.com, I share a compilation of my favorite recipes for writing and getting things done.

Ensure You Have A Comfy Seat

Another thing you’ll want to focus on is comfortable seating. You aren’t going to want to write, or at least write for long, if you don’t have a comfortable seat. You could write on your bed, or in an ergonomic office chair. Some people also prefer to write on a large, oversized beanbag or by sitting on the floor. The more comfortable your writing space, the longer you are likely to stick with it.

I use a large floor pillow that I plop on the floor before grabbing my notebook, a bag of pens, and some highlighters. If I am feeling creative, I keep my laptop nearby in case my journaling time becomes writing time.

It isn’t hard to create a relaxing space for journaling. Whether you choose to do it at a desk in your office, or while sitting on your bed, the above tips will help you to create the best space.

Make Yourself a Priority

You can do all of the above, but if you don’t make yourself a priority in your life, you won’t stick with it. Creating a relaxing place to journal will only support you in journaling daily if you ensure you are #1 in your life for at least a few minutes a day. This can be hard if you are always taking care of others.

Start small. Give yourself five minutes to begin and then work your way up to an hour. The shorter your time, the more streamlined you will need to be with how you show up for your journaling time.

Would You Like A Journal to Begin Your Journey?

If you’re looking for a journal to begin your journaling habit, download one of these:

• 30 Day Mindfulness Journal
• Be Still – Scripture Memory Journal
• Bible Study Journal

Or, if you want to start by coloring, try this:

• Grow Your Faith Coloring Book
• Affirmations Coloring Book

I hope you enjoy journaling as you create a safe, quiet place to journal and begin a healthy habit that will stay with you for life if you let it!