Good morning WashiGang crew! Did you write in your journal this morning? Did you know that a morning journaling habit is a great way to start the day? Journaling in the morning can help improve your focus, productivity and attitude, as well as improve your day! Add these 6 journal writing prompts to your morning writing routine for a better day. 
(Pass around the Smile Positive Guidance Journal)
Benefits of a Morning Journal Writing Routine
Journaling in the morning can help you to declutter your mind and have more clarity with decision making and productivity in your day. By journaling each morning, you are allowing yourself a moment to be present and mindful and this helps us to better tune into our needs, values and align with your intentions. Another great benefit that journaling each morning can present is helping you to start the day with a positive and grateful mindset. Starting the day with gratitude, affirmations and mindfulness helps to train your brain to look for the positives.
How to Stick to a Morning Journal Writing Habit
Getting a daily habit to stick can be tricky, but we have a few tips to help. Sticking to a new habit daily is more likely to make the new habit stick compared to doing the habit sporadically, such as on certain days of the week or when you feel like it. If creating a daily habit seems overwhelming, try aiming for short term goals that you gradually expand. Set yourself a challenge of writing in the morning for 3 days in a row, then 1 week and then 1 month. After that, you'll be well on the way to feeling comfortable with your new daily habit. Try to schedule your habit at the same time each morning or pair it with another morning routine that you already do. For example, journal when you first wake up in the morning, or while you have breakfast, during your morning cup of tea, or on your morning public transport commute. If you need help remembering, set yourself an alarm or calendar prompt on your phone, or leave your journal in a place that you'll remember to use it, such as next to your box of cereal on the kitchen table, or on your bedside table.
6 Morning Journal Writing Prompts for a Good Day!
1. Morning Pages / Brain Dump
Derived from Julia Cameron's Book, The Artist's Way, morning pages are writing down 3 pages of your stream of consciousness first thing in the morning. The aim is to write down everything that comes to mind, as senseless as it sounds and without worrying about mistakes or how well it's written. This popular exercise has been adopted by writers, artists and budding creatives everywhere since the publication of Julia's hugely successful book, The Artist's Way, in 1992.
This is an activity for clearing your mind of all thoughts, worries, things on your to-do list, hopes and dreams and all those amazing things swirling around in your head! If you don't have time for 3 pages, set up a brain dump page in your journal each morning and fill it with all of your random thoughts and ideas.
(Pass Around the Smile Positive Guidance Journal)
2. What does my soul need today?
Use this prompt as an exercise to listen to your body and understand its needs. This question is asking you how are you feeling today and what do you need to help you mind and body? Really listen to your body, how does each part of your body feel? What sensations are you feeling in your body? What kind of mood are you in today? How have you been caring for your self lately?
Here are a few examples: Are you feeling exhausted and could use a quiet day or an early night? Maybe you're feeling like you need some fun and joy in your day, can you schedule in time to meet a friend or to go do something fun like rollerskating, surfing or a dance class? Or are you flooded with anxiety and feeling stuck? Do you need some help and to talk to someone, or to do a big walk, yoga or movement session after work to help you wind down?
(The Quirky Cup Collective Dot Grid Journal - Tarot)
3. Today's Priorities
Pick 1-3 things that are important for today. This could include urgent tasks or things that your soul/body need today. Setting a priority and theme for the day can help you stay focused on your needs for the day rather than losing track and getting distracted by other things that might pop up. Gaining clarity over your intentions for the day will also reduce stress and decision fatigue. 
(DreamyMoons Gratitude Journal)
4. Gratitude
List 3 things that you are grateful for today. The practice of daily gratitude has been proven to give you a more positive mindset. By listing what you are grateful for each morning, you will train your brain to be more mindful and actively look for moments, people and experiences that you can be grateful for. Daily gratitude can also help you to embody self acceptance and love. Morning gratitude will turn your day into a happier, more positive outlook, rather than focusing on only the negative things in life.
(Pass Around the Smile Positive Guidance Journal)
5. Daily Affirmation
Writing your own affirmation is another way to shift negative or self defeating thinking. By focusing on what you can do, what you want to do and what kind of mindset you want to have, affirmations can help you to challenge negative thought patterns, achieve goals and find self acceptance. Positive affirmations may seem like wishful thinking, however the key is to look at areas or beliefs in your life that you'd like to change, in a realistic sense. Repeating that you will get 1 million dollars every day won't necessarily help you to getting 1 million dollars. However, writing an affirmation that you are worthy of earning a decent salary, or that you are committed to achieving your goals, may help to give you the confidence to ask for a raise at work, or become more motivated to budget, save and work harder to achieve your realistic financial goals.
In the same way that repetitive negative self-talk can be harmful, when you repeat positive affirmations often and believe in them, you can start to make positive changes. Positive affirmations can help you to manage your stress, improve your self-esteem and confidence and improve your productivity.
When coming up with an affirmation use statements that start with, "I am", "I can", "I release" or "I believe". Avoid statements that contain "I will" "I could" "I want" or "I need".
Here are a few affirmation suggestions to try:
6. Daily Kindness
What is something kind that I can do for myself today and what is something kind that I can do for someone else today?
This activity is about making time to connect with and care for yourself and others. These daily kindness activities don't need to be grand gestures, they are more about small thoughtful acts in your life.
Kind things you can do for yourself:
Stretch.
Move your body.
Sit in the sun for 5 minutes.
Take a break from social media for the evening.
Spend 30 mins journaling, colouring or being creative.
Give yourself a compliment today.
Treat yourself to a sweet treat today.
Kind things you can do for someone else:
Send a text message to a friend letting them know you're thinking of them.
Give your loved one a compliment today.
Drop off a meal to your elderly neighbour.
Save your favourite sticker for a friend.
Make your families favourite dinner.
Pick up a piece of trash in the park.
What other acts of kindness can you think of for yourself and others today?
Lined Journals:
1. Pass Around the Smile A5 Lined Journal - Abundance
2. Peter Pauper Press Lined Journal - Sunflower Dreams
3. Day & Night Lined Journal - Reversible
4. Compendium Lined Journal - The Universe is Full of Magical Things
Make your morning journaling habit your own by coming up with your own journal prompts to start the day. All you need is a fun pen and a journal to get started! Check out our full range of lined and dot grid journals for your new morning journaling habit!
Or if you need a little help, try one of our guided journals such as the Positive Guidance Journal or DreamyMoons Gratitude Journal.
Dot Grid Journals:
1. Scribble & Dot A5 Dot Grid Journal - Honey Bee
2. The Quirky Cup Collective A5 Dot Grid Journal - Sun & Moon
3. Stationery Island A5 Dot Grid Journal - Teal
4. Yop & Tom A5 Dot Grid Journal - Butterfly
Thanks for tuning in! We hope this helps to kickstart your morning routine. How do you like to start the day? Let us know in the comments!
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