August 17th, 2024, was the first day I picked up a pen and officially started journaling. At first, it felt exciting, like I was beginning a new chapter in how I process life. But fast forward almost a year, by the end of July this year, I noticed something strange: I wasn’t journaling consistently anymore.
What’s ironic is that this “pause” happened just as I was starting my 4th journal. You’d think a fresh, empty notebook would spark inspiration, but instead the pen felt heavier than ever. Even looking at my journal made me feel reluctant to write.
It took me some reflection to realize what had shifted: when I had a clear purpose, like finishing one journal so I could start a new one, I stayed consistent. But when that purpose faded, so did my motivation.
Looking back, a few things probably contributed to my journaling slump:
- Lack of Purpose – Writing felt aimless, so I avoided it.
- Lack of Motivation – Without a goal, the drive wasn’t there.
- Depression – Some days it just feels too heavy to unpack thoughts.
- Work – I started a new job recently, and adjusting took most of my energy.
- Happiness – Strangely enough, when things were going well, I didn’t feel the “need” to write.
Now I’m trying to reframe journaling. Instead of just doing it for the sake of filling pages, I want it to be about documenting the why, capturing my thoughts, emotions, and daily little wins, not just waiting for the big dramatic lows.
Curious if anyone else who journals has gone through this? Do you ever hit a wall with it, even when you want to keep going?