Let’s talk about journaling for self care and how you can start today, even if you’ve never kept a journal before.

When life gets overwhelming, it’s easy to put your own needs on the back burner. But if you’ve ever wished for a way to slow down, clear your mind, and reconnect with yourself, journaling might be the tool you’ve been looking for.

Why Journaling is a Powerful Form of Self Care

Self care isn’t just bubble baths and spa days (though those can be amazing too). True self care is about giving yourself the space to process your thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that supports your mental and emotional health.

One of the biggest benefits of journaling for self care is how it helps you:

• Release what’s weighhing on you instead of carrying it all in your head.
• See patterns in your thoughts or stressors that you may not notice otherwise.
• Give yourself compassion by writing to yourself as you would a friend.
• Create space for gratitude and joy by noticing the small wins.

How Journaling for Self Care Helps with Stress and Burnout

If you’ve been noticing signs of burnout or feeling like you’re running on empty, journaling can be one of the simplest ways to start recharging.

By writing things down, you move stress out of your body and onto the page. The act of slowing down and connecting with your thoughts helps regulate your nervous system, giving you a little breathing room in the middle of the chaos.

Even five minutes a day can make a big difference.

Tips to Start Journaling for Self Care (Even if You’re New)

Worried you’re “not a writer”? Don’t be. Journaling isn’t about writing something perfect. It’s about being honest with yourself. Here are a few simple ways to begin:

• Set a timer for 5 minutes. Write down anything on your mind until the timer goes off. No pressure, no editing.
• Try gratitude journaling. List 3 things you’re thankful for each night before bed.
• Use prompts. Questions like “What’s one thing I need right now?” or “What made me smile today?” can spark reflection.
• Keep it close by. Put your journal and pen somewhere easy to grab, so you can write when you need it most.

The most important thing? Don’t overthing it. Just start.

Give Yourself Permission to Reconnect

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of journaling for self care but aren’t sure where to start, I created something for you:

Remember Her!

It’s a free mini journey with simple practices to help you reconnect with yourself, even if you only have a few minutes each day. Inside you’ll find small steps that make a big difference when life feels heavy.

Download Remember Her here.

Because your words matter. Your story matters. And sometimes, giving yourself permission to write is the first step back to feeling like you again.

If you’ve been noticing the signs of burnout creeping in, journaling can be one of the most powerful tools to help you slow down, process your thoughts, and truly recharge. You can read more about the key signs of burnout here.