Visual journaling
How to get your thoughts out when you don’t have words
Journaling is magic. It’s because of the paradox of putting pen to paper. Writing something down lets you both recall the information with more clarity and release the thoughts from your minds’ grip.
Maybe this ability to both recall and release is the reason humans have kept journals through time. Maybe it’s just fun?
Either way writing is a free way to clear the head and explore ideas. But, writing is also effortful. It can feel daunting to make the first mark on a page and find the phrases to express your ideas. Even for someone who loves to read and write, I’m tired before bed. Writing about my day feels like a mental push up I don’t have energy to complete.
If I don’t journal regularly my brain drain gets backed up. Everything congeals into forgettable mush. Weeks and months of mush leaves me mentally fetid.
So… I’ve done something different. Inspired by my husband’s almost obsessive habit of junk journaling (a.k.a millennial scrapbooking) I’ve been visual journaling in 2025. Every night, I use a couple minutes to draw a pair of memorable details. It’s fast, it’s low-effort, and does the job. I recall my days more clearly, with specific shiny moments that mark the passing of time. And I feel lighter.
How do you get started?
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to You Are Not Going To Die to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.