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Not just a planner -

Typically a journal will have a monthly, weekly, and daily planner, but there are so many other useful ways to personalize it

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Habit tracker -

Track your habits to see if you are meeting your goals or need to make a change.

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Habit tracker -

Simply create a chart with your list of goals and a box for each day of the month. Tick the box every time you achieved your goal, for example, working out or drinking eight glasses of water.

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Habit tracker - At the end of the month, you’ll be able to see if you’re on track.

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Habit tracker -

You can also use this to track behaviors you're trying to change, like smoking or waking up late for work.

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Useful lists -

Make a list of fun or interesting things to do. When you're feeling bored or restless, you'll be able to check your list of activities for inspiration.

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Useful lists -

A list of movies or TV shows you’ve been meaning to watch can prevent hours of scrolling through Netflix.

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Useful lists -

Fun home projects can be a great distraction, as well as productive. Consider what you might like to add to your list. Maybe a home decor project or a DIY beauty treatment.

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Control your spending -

It’s always a good idea to save money. Whether you’re trying to save up for a big trip or just want to start putting some money away for a rainy day, a journal can help with planning and focus.

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Control your spending -

Make a realistic list of your monthly expenses. Calculate a reasonable goal for the amount of money you can save each month.

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Control your spending - If you’re prone to impulse buying, try writing down the items you feel compelled to buy on a 'wish list.' Check the list at the end of the week or month and see what items you truly want and can afford.

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Meal plans - Weekly meal plans and shopping lists can be beneficial for your health and your wallet!

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Meal plans -

Planning what recipes you’d like to make in a week can help you avoid turning to fast, unhealthy options when you don’t know what to cook.

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Meal plans - This can also help you to create a more precise shopping list. No more overspending at the supermarket or letting unused ingredients go bad in the fridge.

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Personalize it -

Take time to consider your work, responsibilities, lifestyle, and daily tasks. Maybe there’s a section you can personalize for your own needs.

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Personalize it -

For example, if you homeschool, a daily schedule and lesson plan could be really useful to maintain a good routine at home.

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The brain dump -

The brain dump is a section dedicated to decluttering your mind when you’re feeling restless and overwhelmed. Simply title a page "brain dump" and put down any thoughts or worries that are distracting you.

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Appreciation -

Set aside a section to record things you're grateful for and your accomplishments, no matter how small. Sometimes even the simple act of getting out of bed deserves a medal!

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Appreciation -

This can help to shift your thinking to a more positive place. It’s always good to stop for a minute and think about all the good things you have, rather than the things you feel you’re missing.

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Writing a diary -

Your journal can also be used as a traditional diary, to record your thoughts and experiences. Writing a diary has a range of mental and physical health benefits.

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Why pen and paper are the best -

Studies show that writing something down on paper can help you to process the information more thoroughly than if you typed it on your laptop. Writing by hand is slower so it forces you to be more concise and summarize your thoughts more effectively.

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Mindfulness - Taking time to write about your day helps you to focus on the present moment. It’s easy to lose connection with yourself if you never stop to notice what’s going on.

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Improve your memory -

Writing about an event that happened recently helps to solidify it in your memory. Writing about events in the past best helps to bring back details you thought you’d forgotten.

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Effects of stress on the body -

Stress affects the body in a number of ways that can have a negative impact on our health.

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Reduce your stress levels -

Writing about your experiences can be therapeutic and is considered an effective stress management tool. Reducing your stress levels has a multitude of benefits for your physical health.

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Obtain a greater sense of self - Writing down your life events and how you felt about them can help to develop a better understanding of yourself and your identity.

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Problem solving -

Writing about problems you’re facing will allow you to break down the details and possibly find a new approach.

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Resolve disagreements - Similarly, journaling can help to sort out disagreements you’re having with other people. Writing about the incident may lead to an understanding of the other person’s perspective and help with finding a resolution.

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Start your journal today! -

Whether it’s for organization, stress reduction, or personal growth, making a journal part of your daily routine is the way to go.

See also: Foods that help combat stress, anxiety, and depression.

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