Morning Journaling: The Simple Habit That Helps Me Start My Day Well

I wish I could tell you I journal every morning without fail. That I wake up before sunrise, pour myself a perfect cup of coffee, and sit in deep reflection, scribbling profound thoughts in a leather-bound notebook, while also setting up the perfect Instagram shot. But let’s be honest—that’s not reality, especially as a work from home parent.

Some mornings, I jump straight into emails. Other days, my kids wake up earlier than expected, and my journaling window disappears before I can even reach for a pen. But here’s what I’ve learned: it doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful.

For me, morning journaling (sometimes evening) isn’t about adding another rigid task to my day—it’s about creating a moment to breathe before the noise starts. And as someone who works from home, where the boundary between work and life is blurry at best, this simple habit has been a lifeline.

Journaling To Help Anxiety

I started journaling as a way to quiet my racing thoughts, especially on days when anxiety showed up before my morning coffee. There’s something about putting words on a page that slows everything down. It’s like my brain finally exhales.

Instead of carrying the weight of unfinished to-do lists or unprocessed worries, journaling gives me a chance to offload it onto paper. It doesn’t solve everything, but it helps me start the day with more clarity and less mental clutter.

And when I don’t get to it? That’s okay too. I just pick it back up the next day. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistency.

The Journal I’m Using Right Now

Recently, I started using a new journal from one of my clients Soul Care called The Soul Care Journal: 90 Days of Questions to Cultivate Your Life With God, and it’s been exactly what I needed.

Unlike other journals packed with daily devotionals or long-form reflections, this one is simple but profound—just one question per day. No extra fluff, no overwhelming prompts, just a single thought-provoking question designed to help you pause, reflect, and reconnect with what actually matters. Some mornings, I will write a full page. Other days, I just scribble a sentence or two. Either way, it’s enough. It helps me realign my soul. When I take the time to engage with these questions, I notice a difference—I feel more present, more aware of what’s actually happening inside me and in my life.

Making Space for What Matters

Morning journaling isn’t about adding another task to my already-full day. It’s about creating space—even just five minutes—to slow down, reflect, and start the day with a little more intention.

So if you’ve been wanting to start journaling but feel like you don’t have time, here’s my encouragement: Just start. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to do it every day. Just show up when you can. Because even a few moments of stillness can make all the difference.

And if you’re looking for a simple, thoughtful journal to help you along the way, The Soul Care Journal is a great place to begin.