Winter is here! As the days get shorter, the evenings get longer. We spend more time at home and take that time to reflect and put thoughts into perspective. To sort those thoughts, it helps to write them down. Also known as journaling. But what exactly is journaling? Well, it isn't the same as keeping a diary. Journaling offers more insight into your thinking and daily patterns. It helps to stay in balance and to develop yourself positively. With journaling, you can process events, create mindfulness and improve self-growth. Journaling isn't required every day, only when you need it - because your journal will always be there for you.

How to journal?

Did you know that you can reduce your stress level with just 15 minutes of writing per day? Journaling is relaxing and teaches you to better deal with overwhelming emotions. To get started, pour your heart out on paper and make an overview of what is important to you. Besides writing, you could draw, doodle or sketch your thoughts onto paper to use your journal as an inspiration book. Anything goes — there's no wrong way to journal.

In this blog, you'll learn how to write down your thoughts, discover how to use hand lettering and scrapbooking techniques for journaling, and which materials and craft supplies will come in handy, such as embellishments, ribbons, paper, pencils, stamps and much more. We've listed 5 ways to start journaling that will inspire you to capture your most important moments.

1. Let your creativity reign free

Use your imagination

Personalise your journal by giving it a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly or seasonal theme. It's entirely up to you what kind of journal you want to use. Will you go for a simple notebook, one with a point system (bullet journal) or one with blank pages? Use pens, markers, stickers, paper and create a wintry January with snowflakes or create a summery June with embossing powder.

2. Your goals are dreams with deadlines. Write them down!

Setting goals

Setting new goals and achieving them is done by making them fun. Wouldn't it be great if you could spend the whole day doing your favourite thing? Without goals, your days are filled with unconscious and automatic habits. By setting goals, you'll make sure to realise what you stand for and what you want in your life. Make the most of them and find the means to help you achieve your goals. For example, a journal will help you remember and keep track of your goals. It will show you what you are capable of (spoiler alert: It will be much more than you could have ever imagined!). Make a list of goals that will motivate you throughout the year and give you meaning at the end of the year. Use a ruler to make boxes that you can check off as you complete a goal. Make the layout of your goals page a work of art with calligraphy pens and give each month or theme a lovely title.

3. Write your thoughts down in a brain dump

Free your mind

A brain dump helps to clear and organise your thoughts. Writing things down in a journal is a way to create a metaphorical bin to throw your thoughts and emotions into. Complete the page by adding a title. Decorate it with stickers, scribbles or doodles and let your thoughts go. Making a brain dump mindmap helps you bring up subjects or tasks that need your attention. This way, you will feel less chaotic and more fulfilled. Try to write down all random thoughts in a mindmap every day and set a timer for 5 minutes. This writing will remind you, for example, of tasks you still have to do.

If you're having difficulty putting your feelings into words, go for moods and emotions instead. To clear your head, use a mood tracker. A mood tracker is a perfect way to express your feelings without words. For example, draw cute animal faces and fill in how you feel on each day of the week. Is it a smiley face or a sad face? You can also indicate your mood in colours with happy, angry and sad, or very good, good, okay and not good. Always find out why you feel this way. Talk about it or write it down when you are ready.

4. Capture your most precious moments

Scrapbooking is a keeper

Scrapbook journaling is a combination of writing and adding artistic scrapbooking techniques. The idea of scrapbook journaling isn't new because many people who keep diaries tend to draw in them from time to time. So start scrapbooking and capture every special occasion in your journal, whether it's a birthday, Christmas or anniversary. A scrapbook journal is also a great way to store memories - like a photo album, with an upgrade.

5. Improve your mindfulness with hand lettering

Converting life lessons and emotions into quotes

Use a journal as a creative release, for example, by practising with beautiful letters or fonts and using them in quotes. Start, for instance, with hand lettering (drawing letters) or brush lettering (calligraphy with a brush pen). How beautiful will it be to read quotes back over time and relive the moment of your written quote? For beginners, it's nice to practice with the letters. Once you've mastered the font, move on to writing quotes. It's fun to try out many different styles. The possibilities with hand-lettering are endless. Use a brush pen to practise different calligraphy styles. You can create various line widths by applying pressure to the tip. The technique you choose is entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong as there are no set rules. Hand lettering is suitable for everyone and easy to learn. It doesn't require a beautiful handwriting style: practice is the key to success. You can use a journal with lines or dots to make writing easier or use a ruler.

Endless Journaling

Hopefully, we've inspired you to start journaling. Dive in and find stunning DIYs on our website, or use Pinterest for inspiration. Journaling is a great way to keep track of life events and achievements. It's a way to personalise and organise your busy life - plan all your calendar entries, goals and appointments. Get crafty and fill your unique journal with our tips & tricks. Start the new year with a clean slate and make your journal the place to be for all your new ideas, inspiration, positive and negative thoughts. There's no better way to start than by achieving your goals!

We'd love to see the themes, goals and moments in your journal! Tag us and share your creations on Instagram with the hashtag #craftedtosmile.