As 2024 drew to a close, I found myself trying to do something a little different this year. Instead of crafting an ambitious list of resolutions or planning a complete personality overhaul (we've all been there, right?), I took a moment to pause and reflect. I looked back at everything I'd achieved throughout the year, embracing gratitude instead of the pressure to transform overnight.
This moment made me realise that while I didn't want to jump on the 'New Year, New Me' bandwagon, there was one habit I genuinely wanted to create in 2025 - journaling. I'd heard countless people rave about it, but it was always the same reason that held me back. The blank page felt too intimidating… What would I write? Would it feel too forced? Too cringey?
That’s when I remember that back in October 2024, at Go Mental festival, we met the lovely ladies from The Positive Planner. So, I took the plunge and ordered one. After all, a beautiful planner will make this practice more special and encourage me to start, right?
But when my Positive Planner arrived, I still faced that familiar question: where do I start? Fortunately, they have an incredibly helpful beginner's guide, and I want to share my experience with it in hopes that it might help you too.
The beginner's guide to The Positive Planner: My experience
Getting started
The first few pages of The Positive Planner include some fun exercises to ease you into the process. What surprised me most was how these exercises felt when I actually tried them - they're truly a great way of putting pen to paper! Removing judgement from the equation made them not just approachable, but genuinely fun!
Creating a routine
Each page takes just a few minutes to fill out and after a few weeks it will feel like second nature. Try keeping your Positive Planner on your bedside table as a visual cue to fill in the pages. You could even set an alarm on your phone as a reminder!
Throughout the book, you’ll find a variety of prompts and exercises that you can dip in and out of at your own pace. The planners are undated, which means that it doesn’t matter if you miss a day or even a week or two. Yeah, consistency is great - but learning to forgive yourself is better. Just grab a pen whenever the moment takes you and enjoy the process. While I'm committed to making journaling a daily habit, I didn't want the added pressure of seeing blank dated pages if I missed a day. So, seeing the undated pages made me feel instant relief!
Daily mantras and self-talk
Learning to be kind to yourself is an important element of wellbeing, but it can feel like a vague concept if you’ve spent your whole life listening to (and believing) what your inner critic has to say. Writing is a brilliant tool for tackling that negative self-talk. We suggest doing some free writing to uncover your inner voice, then pick a mantra that actively contradicts the unhelpful thoughts you have about yourself.
For example, if you constantly call yourself unorganised, your daily mantra might be ‘everything will get done in time,’ or ‘planning is helping me take back control’. I had never considered choosing a mantra that directly contradicts my negative self-talk, but seeing these positive affirmations on paper and repeating them has been surprisingly powerful.
Gratitude moments
The Positive Planner invites you to document what you’re grateful for every single day. It can be something significant - like a pay rise or being reunited with a loved one - but it can also be something small, like cooking a meal from scratch, having time to enjoy your coffee or a chat with a friend. When you actively seek out these moments regularly, you’ll find that there are so many things to be grateful for.
Practical planning
The act of writing a weekly shopping list and meal plan (templates included!) will help you feel more organised, minimise anxiety, and remind you to nourish your mind with food that you love. I found this blend of practical and reflective elements particularly helpful in making journaling feel less like an additional task and more like a natural part of my day.
Mindful moments
In between your morning and evening reflections, The Positive Planner offers an opportunity to check in with your mood through an assortment of activities. There’re some gorgeous original illustrations and motivational quotes that you can use for some mindful colouring. Alternatively, unleash your creative side in any section! Doodle in the margins, highlight your proudest moments, decorate with washi tape… the possibilities are endless.
My journey so far
Although I'm far from perfect with my practice, I'm genuinely enjoying the challenge and looking forward to seeing how my journaling journey evolves in the upcoming months!
Whether you're new to journaling like me or simply looking for a more structured approach to self-reflection, I hope sharing my experience helps you take that first step. Remember, there's no "right" way to journal - it's about finding what works for you and being kind to yourself along the way.
Written by Antonella Lopresto - Purition Team
