By Casa de Suna
Published Mar 26
Journaling is one of those things that’s amazing in theory, but hard to stick to in practice.
We’ve written about the process and the benefits–and we’ve started doing it ourselves, but, a few months in, we always find ourselves casting the journal aside for a few months or forgetting about it altogether (that morning Instagram scroll can be a bit too tempting sometimes). This year, though, we’re determined to make the practice stick.
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That’s why we spoke to two of the most prolific journaling advocates out there, to get some advice on how to keep the habit going.
First, we spoke to Elizabeth Kott, host of the podcast Too Niche?, which covers trends in culture and consumerism (and has a corresponding Substack). Kott loves journaling so much, she offers creative consulting inspired by The Artist’s Way, a guided journaling and creative recovery program.
We also spoke to Dianna Cohen, founder of Crown Affair (and former star of our In the Home series), another huge journaling fan, about her preferred process. Together, they opened up about the rituals that keep them consistent and the mindset shifts that turn journaling into something you’ll genuinely want to return to each day.From Elizabeth
Elizabeth’s biggest piece of advice for starting and sticking to a journaling practice is: create a ritual around it that will keep you coming back.
Start by setting your journal and pen out the night before–even better if it’s in your eye line when you wake up. I put my notebook and pen on my kitchen table, so they’re the first thing I see when I walk into my room (but if you’re newer to journaling, keep them in the bedroom to ensure you get started right away).
My personal ritual is: I pour a glass of water, make myself a little hot beverage, put on a nice piano or jazz playlist, light a candle to create a cozy environment and then sit with myself and write.
Elizabeth’s tips if you’re feeling stuck: check in with your senses.
A lot of us get stuck on what to write. A great technique is to check in with your senses. Write what you’re hearing, seeing, smelling. Take a look at the sky. Is it sunny? Cloudy? Cold? Will it rain? What am I hearing? This can be as simple as noting the sound of sirens, a garbage truck, or a dog barking. Journal about the scent of your candle. Don’t overthink it! It’s a great method for tapping into your senses and turning on your brain. Writing out the facts can allow you to move into your feelings.
From Diana
Dianna recommends trying morning pages for clearing clutter and releasing judgment.
“My favorite way to journal is by doing the morning pages— three longhand, stream-of-consciousness pages written first thing in the morning.” The goal isn’t perfection or even coherence, but to clear your mind of clutter, uncover your thoughts, and spark creativity. Think of it as a daily mental reset that helps you focus and connect with your inner voice. Whether it’s frustrations, ideas, or random musings, just let it all flow—no editing, no judgment. It’s okay if your handwriting isn’t perfect or you’re not the best at spelling— just write whatever comes to mind. It’s a beautiful practice in releasing judgment!
