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Keep a Journal

Keep a Journal

young man writing in a journal

Purpose

Do you want to reduce stress, increase your creativity, make better decisions, and see the Lord’s hand in your life? Try keeping a journal!

Goal Description

Keep a regular journal to record the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of your life.

Goal Ideas

  • If you’re just starting a journal, look at different options and decide what works best for you. For example, you could use a blank journal or notebook and write by hand. Or you could keep your journal using a word processor. There are even journal apps you could use.

  • Try keeping a journal with a specific focus. For example:

    • Keep an art journal by drawing things you want to remember.

    • Keep a photo journal using the Gospel Living app or another app. Take a photo each day of something you want to remember, including things that show how the Lord blessed you. Write a brief clip about each photo as a reminder.

    • Keep a growth journal. Write about things you want to focus on: how you are recognizing the Lord’s blessings to you, how you are strengthening your relationships, and so forth. Read it frequently to see how you are growing.

    • Keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down things you’re grateful for. Be creative and look beyond the obvious. From time to time, read your past entries to remind you of your blessings.

    • Keep a scripture journal. Write down the spiritual impressions and new understandings that come to you as you study and ponder the scriptures.

  • Maybe you’ve tried keeping a journal in the past, but weren’t consistent. Set a goal to write in your journal every day for a week. After you reach that goal, you could try two weeks. Soon it will be a habit!

  • If one of your ancestors kept a journal or diary, read it and discover what you can learn from his or her life. (A FamilySearch partner site like All the Stories can help you find ancestors’ stories that have been added to FamilySearch Family Tree.) You might even pick up some hints about keeping a journal from the one your ancestor left!

  • Create your own goal.

Related Resources

How will keeping a personal journal bless me and my family? (Video)

Maybe I’m Not So Different (Video)

Keeping a Journal Your Way (Ensign)

“The Angels May Quote from It” (New Era or Liahona)

O Remember, Remember (General Conference Message)