If you’re like me, your mind is constantly whirring with thoughts and ideas. It can be hard to focus on one thing at a time, let alone write anything down without worrying about what to write next. That’s why I love the idea of single word journaling: it allows me to doodle around in my notebook without worrying about whether or not what I’m writing makes sense (or if anyone else will even read it).
What is a single word journal?
A single word journal is a great way to start writing. It can be used as a diary, or as a tool for reflection and self-discovery.
The idea behind this type of journal is that it’s simple: instead of trying to write elaborate stories or essays, you pick just one word each day and write down how this word relates to your life right now.
You can use it to explore all kinds of things—your thoughts and feelings, how your actions are different because of this word… anything!
The benefits of a single word journal
Single word journaling is a simple way to get started with your own personal development. It can be a good way to express your thoughts and feelings.
For example, if you are feeling stressed out about work or life in general, writing down “stress” can help relieve some of that stress by focusing on what’s right in front of you: just writing down those four letters!
Even just the act of stopping and pausing to write something down can help refocus your attention on what’s happening right now—this is known as mindfulness. In addition, it may also become easier for you to come up with new ideas when faced with difficult situations that require creativity (i.e., how do I fix this problem?).
As well as being very useful for learning how to focus on the present moment, single word journaling is also a great tool for improving self-awareness; simply by writing down one word each day over time will give an insight into how we think about ourselves—and others! Writing down words like love or hate helps us reflect upon our attitudes towards others so we can make changes where necessary (if needed).
The idea of a single-word journal is to focus on one word, not a sentence. One word can be a powerful starting point for reflection and self-expression (or just doodling).
Consider starting with one word. Don’t worry about spelling or grammar—just write whatever comes to mind. You can try writing about the meaning behind the word, or if it’s an abstract concept like “joy,” write about anything that makes you happy. Other possibilities include:
- What does this word mean to me?
- What do I think when I read this? Does it make me feel any different in my body? In my mind?
- How would I describe myself using this word? Is there any part of my life where using this word would fit well (for example, maybe “joy” doesn’t fit because we’re going through some hard times right now)?
A single word can be a powerful starting point for reflection and self-expression (or just doodling).
A single word journal can be a powerful starting point for reflection and self-expression (or just doodling). Single Word Journaling is a great way to get started writing, drawing and doodling. It might seem like a daunting task at first, but I promise it will become easier with practice. Just as with any other artistic or creative endeavor, the more you practice the better you will become at it!
An exercise to try – your stream of consciousness.
As a writer, my creative process is constantly being shaped by the tools I use.
It’s no secret that we should be writing every day.
Sometimes it feels like a battle to stay consistent with our writing practice, especially when schedules get busy and/or we feel uninspired. But what if there was a tool that helped you stay consistent? What if there was something so simple and easy to use that it could actually become part of your everyday routine? Enter the one word journal!
The idea behind this exercise is simple:
- pick a single word that describes how you want to feel today and then
- journal about it throughout the day without any rules or restrictions—just write!
This kind of stream-of-consciousness exercise can be incredibly cathartic as well as inspiring by forcing us out of our heads and into our bodies through movement (you don’t have to sit down at your desk).
Whether you’re a student, a writer, or just an ordinary person who wants to express themselves more deeply, keeping a single word journal can be an excellent way of bringing more mindfulness into your life. The simplicity of it means that there’s no pressure to produce anything in particular (you don’t even have to write anything down if you don’t want to), but it also provides an opportunity for creativity and self-expression that might be hard otherwise.