Why I Journal on Good Days (and how it helps me stay steady when life gets hard)

I started journaling when I was seven or eight. I remember begging my mom for a shiny pink diary with a gold lock while we were at Kmart.

It was five dollars, and I wanted it so badly.

I mostly wrote about food (haha) and my activities at school.

Then I hid it under my mattress, as if it held all the secrets in the world (good times).

It wasn’t consistent back then, and it wasn’t deep. But looking back, it was the beginning of something I would return to again and again, especially in the hard seasons.

Fast forward to now: I journal every single day.

Long form in the morning, quick and to the point at night.

But here's the thing I want to tell you — I don’t just journal when things feel heavy.

I journal even when life feels good.

My Morning Journaling Practice

Most mornings, I write during the first hour of my workday. No distractions. Just me and the page.

I freewrite whatever is on my mind (good or bad), jot down a few lists, and write my daily affirmation. It’s not a ritual I force. It’s a rhythm I return to.

Then, on my lunch break, I usually write again. I sit in the courtyard and let my thoughts settle. Sometimes I process something that is bothering me.

Other times, I find clarity or come up with a solution I couldn’t see earlier.

The writing itself is what helps me move through it.

My Nighttime Brain Dump

At night, I grab my journal. Yes, I use a real one.

A thirty notebook because, well… this writing thing is serious to me.

I dump the emotions.
Set my intention for tomorrow.
Maybe write an affirmation or two.

It’s short and freeing — like clearing the counter before bed so my brain doesn’t feel cluttered in the morning.

Journaling on Good Days Matters Too

Here’s what I know now:
Because I write on the good days, I can handle the hard ones with more grace.

The habit is already in place. The space is already there.
So when the emotions get heavier or the anxiety kicks up, I don’t have to start from scratch.
I just keep writing.

That’s why I always say, don’t wait until life falls apart to pick up the pen.

Write when it’s light.
Write when it’s steady.
Celebrate the good, too.

Want a little help getting started?

I created a free guide called Speak Life to support your journaling rhythm.

It includes affirmations for wellness, financial peace, purpose, and creativity, plus a bonus reflection prompt to go deeper each day.

Download the free guide here
(Instant download. No fluff. No pressure. Just support.)

My Favorite Journaling Tools

Here’s what I personally use and love to make my journaling routine something I look forward to — not a chore.

• A quality journal I actually enjoy writing in
  I pay about $30 for mine. A little pricey, but worth it because it signals to my brain that my thoughts matter.
  I enjoy thick paper and a sturdy cover (I bang shit up lol).

• Pens I love using
  Believe it or not, I usually love the cheap marketing pens I receive at events, or the set my coworker bought me a while ago.

• A quiet space (even for five minutes)
  This isn’t about having a Pinterest or Instagram-worthy desk.
  It’s just a quiet corner on my lunch break or sitting in my parked car before work.
  What matters is that it feels like mine.

Whether your day feels light or heavy, your journal can hold it all.
You don’t have to carry it alone.
—Monique

Thank you for being here!