Why I Keep Quitting My Journal (And It’s Not Just Me)
Ever wonder why I keep quitting my journal, even when I really want it to stick? You’re not alone. You buy the journal, light the candle, write two ✨ solid ✨ entries… then ghost it. Again.
If your journaling habit has more plot twists than your last situationship, let’s be clear: you’re not broken. It’s not about motivation—it’s about setup.
Let’s unpack why you keep quitting your journal—and how to make it stick without turning it into another unrealistic self-help routine.
It’s Not You. It’s Your Setup.
A big reason why I keep quitting my journal (and maybe why you do too) is that we’ve been sold this vibe-heavy version of journaling. Aesthetic desk. Gentle background music. Crystals. Inner peace.
Cute? Sure.
Sustainable? Not really.
We copy someone’s 15-step morning ritual off TikTok. We buy the expensive pens and do the perfect handwriting thing. And we try to write like our journal is being graded by a therapist. Spoiler: it’s not.
Reality check:
- You don’t need to journal daily.
- You don’t need to pour your soul out every time.
- You don’t need a whole vibe to start.
You just need a system that doesn’t suck the joy out of you.
Why I Keep Quitting My Journal: 3 Sneaky Reasons You Keep Falling Off
(And Why It’s Not Your Fault)
1. You’re Treating Journaling Like Homework
Not everything needs a five-paragraph essay. Write in bullet points. Doodle in the margins. Make lists of things that made you laugh today. Scribble something passive-aggressive about your boss. It all counts.
2. You’re Journaling for Future-You, Not Present-You
If you’re trying to write the “perfect” entry in case someone finds your journal one day… stop. That’s not the point. Journaling should be messy, honest, and 100% for right now you.
3. You’re Expecting Instant Results
Nope, you’re not going to magically feel “healed” after three pages of writing. But you will start noticing patterns. Thoughts that loop. Feelings that lighten. That’s when the real transformation happens.
According to Psychology Today, habits fall apart when they stop feeling meaningful or manageable. Journaling included.
Reset Your Habit With These “Unquit Prompts”
Instead of ghosting your journal again, try giving it CPR. Write through the stuckness with these:
- “Why did I stop journaling last time?”
- “What made journaling feel like a chore instead of a choice?”
- “How do I want journaling to feel?”
- “If I gave myself permission to be unfiltered, what would I write?”
These aren’t about being deep. They’re about being real.
Still not sure what to write? Start here: Can’t Stick With Journaling? Read This
Rebrand Your Journaling Habit (No Toxic Productivity Allowed)
Let’s retire the idea that journaling has to be “productive.” It’s not a hustle. It’s not a grind. It should feel like an exhale—not another thing you’re failing at.
Try this instead:
- Keep your journal where you actually chill (like next to your bed or couch—not in a drawer you forget exists).
- Journal once a week. Or once a month. Or just when something hits.
- Start your entries with:
“Okay so here’s the deal—”
And let yourself rant. No filters. No edits.
Need structure but not pressure? Save this article to our Glow-Up on Paper board for cozy vibes that keep you coming back.
You’re Allowed to Take Breaks—You’re Not Allowed to Shame Yourself for It
Seriously. Stop quitting your journal just because it’s “been a while.”
Journaling isn’t a streak. It’s not a diet. It doesn’t expire if you haven’t touched it in 2 months. It’s a space you get to return to whenever you need it.
“Every action you take is a vote for the kind of person you wish to become.”
— James Clear on Identity-Based Habits
Whether it’s been two days or 200, your journal’s still waiting. No pressure. No guilt. Just pages, ready for whatever’s on your mind.
So go ahead. Open it. Write anything.
That’s enough.
