Ask HN: Want to start journalling / writing my thoughts – any tips?

4 pointsfurtiman3y ago1 comments

Quite often here, in one context or the other, HN users mention they journal and write daily / regularly. This question might have been raised already, but I never came across it here.

This is always said to be a nice way to enhance your thinking, make your mind more coherent, have a better life and what not.

I kind of get the idea on a subconscious level, and I want to include this practice in my life, to better understand my thinking and help me being present, but I struggle to understand where to start.

I am not a writer, and I don't have so many events happening every day as to have a meaningful thing to write every day.

I do like note taking when I stumble upon interesting things, and I have all kinds of lists in my notes (facts, quotes, movies, books), but I want to have this as a more integrated practice and put my thoughts, not just facts I want to remember.

I also quite often see people mentioning Obsidian as a tool (I usually use Apple notes, but having installed Obsidian I really like the UI and wanna give it a go).

So - do you have any tips on how to set my mind and understand the purpose of writing intuitively (as opposed to subconsciously) and start practicing it?

Thanks to everyone in advance.

1 comments

pps3y ago

My advice: Buy basic notebook, buy basic pen, and just start. It's easier to do that on paper - it removes all the digital distractions. Start with an intention to write something every day, no matter how long, with the ultimate goal to write at least one page daily. Use ChatGPT for ideas to write about if you can't find anything yourself ("Give me 3 concrete ideas to write about in my journal").

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