This is a quick post addressing one of the most common questions I get asked about journaling: what time of day should I journal? TLDR: It doesn’t matter so long as it fits with the rest of your routine and schedule.

Developing a habit is the most effective way to journal and how you can get the most out of your experience. Because of this, habit-formation should be your ultimate goal as you practice. There are many ways to do it right and only one way to do it wrong (by giving up) so the important thing is to find a method that works for you. This article contains a few techniques that have worked for me.

Journaling does not require anything special. All you need is something to write with and something to write on. But as you get more comfortable and confident, you can explore how different designs can help you optimize your journaling for certain goals.

It’s not always easy to decide what you write about in your journal and it can feel quite daunting if you are just starting off. But with a gradual approach, you can build up your journaling muscles to get deeper and more thoughtful without burning out. Becoming good at journaling is a practice that is developed over time.