Everything has an assigned place, and you like it that way. Sound familiar? The Structured Sally might be your gal. Software: There are several software applications on the market you can use to keep a digital journal. Be sure they sync to the cloud, as you don’t want to lose your entries because you fry your computer's hard-drive.

Do your goals truly reflect your desires? Or do they reflect what someone else (a parent, partner, friend, etc.) wants for you? A journal also reminds you of the beautiful memories that you might have forgotten had you not recorded them. If you’ve never kept a journal before, writing on a regular basis might feel a bit challenging. Even with prompts to help prime your thoughts, you might find it tough to get started.

When to Journal

Recording the details of your life can enrich your stories. One year when for The Spring Writing Contest at The Write Practice, I wrote a story about when the IRS called me to say I owed money. A goals journal can be used to write your goals, how you plan to achieve them, and journal about your progress.

I made about 20 different layouts before narrowing down to 10 trusty formats I feel can be customized and manipulated depending on your needs. They are “naked” (oh, my) so you can focus on functionality for now; you can add your unique style/doodles.Be honest and authentic: Honesty is key to getting the most out of journaling. Write from the heart and don't be afraid to express your true feelings, even if they are complex or challenging. Side note: My middle school actually handed out academic planners at the beginning of the year (yep, with this layout), and we were graded on how well we used them each week. I’m terrible at math, but great at keeping up with a planner! You may never sell more than one hundred copies of your book, you may never publish your writing, or your journals may only be read by the mice that crawl through your basement. Or your journals will be read by zombies after the zombie apocalypse, sharing insight into your life and daily routines.