20 Beautiful Journaling Quotes to Inspire You to Grab Your Journal and Write!

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The journaling quotes below are all about the power and beauty of journal writing. These quotes about journaling are uplifting, inspiring—and sometimes profound, and I hope they inspire you to write in your journal!

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Why Journal?

Are you a journaller? More than a simple record-keeping of our days and our lives, our journals are where we can share our dreams—and our deepest fears. We can use our journals to work through a thorny problem, figure out solutions, take stock of how we’re doing, have a conversation with parts of ourselves, process wounds and griefs and create the life we desire. To name just a few possibilities.

Essentially, our journals help us get to know our ‘self’; what we feel, need, want (and don’t) deeply. We learn what works for us and what doesn’t. And if we work at it, our journals become a powerful tool for self-acceptance.

And this is true power. Because once we accept ourselves, no-one has the power to make us feel bad about who we are.

There are so many benefits to journaling that it’s even been studied and shown that, in some cases, journaling can be as effective as having a therapist! See a quick overview of the scientific benefits of journaling (article at The Coaching Tools Company).

Here are 20 Beautiful Journaling Quotes

“Journal writing gives us insights into who we are, who we were, and who we can become.” Sandra Marinella
“You must remember that your story matters. What you write has the power to save a life, sometimes that life is your own.” Stalina Goodwin
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” Anne Frank
“Journal writing, when it becomes a ritual for transformation, is not only life-changing but life-expanding.” Jen Williamson
“Keeping a journal of what’s going on in your life is a good way to help you distill what’s important and what’s not.” Martina Navratilova
“Writing is medicine. It is an appropriate antidote to injury. It is an appropriate companion for any difficult change.” Julia Cameron
“I don’t journal to ‘be productive’. I don’t do it to find great ideas or to put down prose I can later publish. The pages aren’t intended for anyone but me. It’s the most cost-effective therapy I’ve ever found.” Tim Ferriss
“Writing is a beautiful way to let out pain. When you put your story out there, you release it. Once it is no longer buried or stuck within you, you are free to move forward.” Sandra Marinella
“We all need self-care practices, especially at this time, that can help us tap into our optimism, hope, healing and well-being. Expressive writing, where you express your thoughts and feelings, is a powerful self-care practice.” Lynda Monk
“I am anxious, and it soothes me to express myself here. It is like whispering to one’s self and listening at the same time.” Mina Murray’s journal entry from the movie Bram Stoker’s Dracula
“Journal writing is a voyage to the interior.” Christina Baldwin
“A journal is your completely unaltered voice.” Lucy Dacus
“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” William Wordsworth
“For me, writing is a way of thinking. I write in a journal a lot. I’m a very impatient person, so writing and meditation allow me to slow down and watch my mind; they are containers that keep me in place, hold me still.” Ruth Ozeki
“The starting point of discovering who you are, your gifts, your talents, your dreams, is being comfortable with yourself. Spend time alone. Write in a journal.” Robin Sharma
“The pages afforded glimpses into my soul where I’d hidden it, behind masks of paper and ink.” Rachel L. Schade
“In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself. The journal is a vehicle for my sense of selfhood. It represents me as emotionally and spiritually independent. Therefore (alas) it does not simply record my actual, daily life but rather—in many cases—offers an alternative to it.” Susan Sontag
“Writing in a journal each day allows you to direct your focus to what you accomplished, what you’re grateful for and what you’re committed to doing better tomorrow. Thus, you more deeply enjoy your journey each day.” Hal Elrod
“Your Journal is like your best friend. You don’t have to pretend with it, you can be honest and write exactly how you feel.” Bukola Ogunwale
“A breed apart from the diarists who write simply to collect the days or preserve impressions of foreign places are those who set out in their books to discover who they really are. These are generally very serious people, more in the way of pilgrims, with inward destinations, than mere travelers. Some of them are after the sight of God; others are out to realize their full ‘potential,’ spiritual and otherwise; and some of them are carrying burdens of suffering they are unsure they can shoulder—they want to use their diaries to test, and add to, their strength.” Thomas Mallon

Self-connection is essential to create a life of meaning!

As you may already know, connection is one of the core principles of Fierce Kindness.

So below are some journaling prompts for you to play with, inspired by the journaling quotes above!

5 Journal Prompts to Inspire You!

Here are 5 journal prompts for you inspired by these journaling quotes:

What happened to me this week that was important? What should I pay attention to? Learn from? Do differently?
What does my heart want to share with me? What do I truly want and need right now? And what would make my heart sing?
Where am I feeling stuck? What’s stuck within me? What—if I let go of it—would free me to embrace or enjoy life more deeply?
What’s bothering me right now? What do I need to acknowledge? How do I feel about it? What could or should I do about it—if anything? What do I need to do to take care of myself?
How could I build my inner strength? What have I been avoiding? Where could I use my strengths more? Where could I apply my talents in my life?

Unsure how to get started journaling?

Don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you from this hugely beneficial practice: it really is as easy as putting pen to paper and writing!

The key is to stop worrying about answering the questions right away, or even answering the questions “well”.

Instead start where you are, with whatever you’re thinking… Take a deep breath and put pen to paper… and go!

This could even look like:

I feel stupid doing this because / I don’t know what to write but I’m starting anyway / I want to do this so I’m writing this…
I’m putting pen to paper and seeing what happens… / This feels weird, but here goes… / I’m a bit nervous but I’m also curious so…
Other ideas include:
- Just make a bulleted list! It doesn’t have to be perfect prose.
- Draw it out, or cut out images and stick them into your journal

Wrap-up

Journaling is a deeply powerful tool for self-knowledge and self-acceptance. Sometimes what we can’t say aloud or see right in front of us comes out in our journals. From there we can look at it, see the truth and take care—or action—as needed.

I hope this article and journaling quotes inspired you to grab your journal, get writing and connect with your heart!

What resonated with you in this article? Tell us in the comments below!

If you liked these beautiful journaling quotes, you may also like:

❤️ Our Weekly Inspirational Newsletter ❤️ with (Fierce) Kindness Tips, Articles, Quotes, Graphics and more!

10 Beautiful Summer Journaling Prompts to Connect to Your Inner Wisdom!
9 Journal Prompts to Uplift & Freshen Up Your Life! (Infographic)
See all our Beautiful Scrapbook Style Quote Graphics (grab the ones you like!)

Change the world. Start with you!

Image of Woman with journal leaning against tree for journaling quotes by Pablo Calvog via Shutterstock

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