I want to start journalling but I almost have too many ideas

[CloudyLemonadex]

My mental health is quite frankly terrible right now. I have low self esteem, little motivation and am spending a lot of time lazing around.

I saw an idea to start a gratitude journal and I thought it sounded good.
I then started to write a note on my phone on jan 1st with a sentence about each day, and I’m going to translate it to paper with a small drawing next to it to represent the day.

i then see people writing mini to-do lists and checklists which I also love the idea of.

Then, there’s getting all your thoughts out in paper. Things to work on, goals etc. I feel like I’d never stop writing.

So I feel a bit overwhelmed on where to start. I love all the ideas and feel like I’d benefit from it all but I feel like I’d never stop.

Has anyone experienced changes in their mental health due to journalling and how did you do it?

Do you have a laptop? I opened a document and started to type. It has turned into something the size of a novel, but I feel so much better! You can add something every day or take a break. Sometimes I write a response to a thread here and then realise that I am actually not writing to the OP so I cut it and paste my meanderings into my journal instead.

This video series is a good place to start.

I've kept a diary/journal since 2005. I genuinely think that first one saved my life as I was being gaslit, and it helped me see what had really happened on any given day so after a few months of keeping the diary, I had the strength to get out. It was also my evidence of what had happened (not for the police or anything, but sometimes it really helps having things in writing as memories fade).

I keep to do lists and checklists separate to my actual diary because they're transient and fleeting and I think it runs the risk of obfuscating my thoughts/feelings by hiding behind busywork. I use a notebook or whiteboard for these.

In my diary I write down what happened in the day and then one thing I'm grateful for. I use a 4-colour pen to keep those two things separate visually. Sometimes I write down vivid dreams in a third colour. As a personal choice, I buy a "week to view" diary to limit the amount of space so I don't feel compelled to write too much otherwise I'd just write every little detail and I don't have time. I have ADHD and there are entire weeks where I forget to write anything, so over the years I've stopped feeling guilty about this. Those empty weeks have purpose - they're the perfect place for overflow space if I need more pages to write down a particularly big or significant event or emotional landscape.

Does that help at all?

Why don't you get yourself a general journal book and use it for all the things you've described? Personally, I've enjoyed following maternal journal as a way to explore motherhood through creativity. Apparently there's a journal app that comes with the new iPhone update if you have one. Might be good to start with.

If you feel like that you have to much to say and that stops you starting, use a 10 min timer. Write for 10 mins, that is the commitment, but you can alswya carry one if you are enjoying it.

I suggest looking into 'morning pages' to begin with. It's just a brain dump really. Either set yourself a time, or a number of pages you want to commit to.
Then you literally write what comes into your head. Works best if you simply keep the pen to the page and keep going. In my experience what happens is that gradually your thoughts become clear.

I shred my morning pages because nothing i write is what I'd want anyone else to see, and it's means i am not subconsciously writing for an audience. I find it very therapeutic. I hope that might help you.

https://juliacameronlive.com/basic-tools/morning-pages/