A Journaled New Year

Jena Muhr explores the practice of journaling and shares her plans for writing more in the New Year.

December is typically a very busy month in my house. There are gatherings with family and friends. The ending of school and sports for a few weeks so there’s more time to play and adventure without the typical structure and routine. There’s also the prepping and planning, shopping and wrapping, cooking, baking and cleaning for Christmas, New Year's, Three Kings, and all of the celebrations in between. By the time that the Christmas season is over and January arrives, I am ready for some quiet and reflective time.   

But January usually begins with a bang. There is pressure to make goals to enhance your life, encouragement to take on new adventures, try new things, and clean the house from all the merry-making of the past month. School and sports swing back into actions. The kids, and I, usually start getting colds around the middle of the month. And sometimes it is hard to keep the plans for the new year going.  

My plan for keeping a journal in the new year

This year, I would like to expand my writing practices and practice being more reflecting, thankful, and appreciative. My plan to do this to build a stronger journaling practice. This will not be a daily practice but rather a weekly or biweekly habit that can allow for some deliberate quiet and reflective time.    

Last year, I began year one of a five-year journal. In this book I write the happenings and thoughts of everyday life and then in five years I’ll have a wonderful book full of all the things my family has done in the past five years. I am planning on continuing this; it takes up to two minutes of my day before bed and I’ve enjoyed chronicling our everyday lives. This planned journaling practice will be different, though.  

To expand on reflecting on paper, I would like to begin journaling with prompts. I have done this before with mixed results. Journaling is something that I typically turn to when I am very stressed or overwhelmed, turning my journaling time into a rant session. This year my intention is to try to turn this practice into a more spiritual or purposeful reflection than an ongoing rant. This will be a new adventure for me.  

Ideas for journaling prompts 

A quick google search for journaling prompts leads to more ideas to write about than possible to write about in many years of practice. There are books that you can buy. Ones for Catholics, ones for reflecting on the Gospels. Prompts for discovering your purpose in life and prompts for fans of Lord of the Rings or Dr. Who. The options are endless.   

I typically enjoy those that are not quite as focused on the meaning of life (I think I’m at peace with where I stand as a Catholic) and more focused on being thankful, noticing the graces and gifts that I already have. For example, list three things I am thankful for and why; describe how I would like my life to look in 5 years, in 25 years; write about an unexpected surprise or blessing that I’ve received.   

Practicing this kind of journaling one to two times a week seems doable to me. I believe that, with practice it should not take longer than 10-15 minutes to write out a thoughtful introspection. And, with practice, most things get easier. I look forward to this challenge and hope that you can benefit from it as well. It might also give me a good excuse to enjoy a cup of coffee at my favorite shop.  

Do you keep a journal? What's your best tip for sticking with this practice?

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Copyright 2025 Jena Muhr
Images: Canva