Just as soon as we got adjusted to a new routine during Corona Quarantine – working from home, kids doing remote learning, managing our zoom calls – now it’s summer break and not only is there no remote learning, in most cases there’s also no summer camp – or jobs for our older kids.
How can you possibly still make time for journaling during summer break? If something is important to you, you WILL make time for it! Kids will still be fed, right? Dogs will still be walked, right? So why isn’t YOUR time just as important? It IS so make it a priority!
Early Riser
My first recommendation will always be to do your journaling in the morning. It’s a fresh start to a completely new day and it helps you to set your intentions for the day ahead. Figure out what time your kids are now waking up and get up at least 20-30 minutes earlier than them. Now that school is over my girls are on typical teen hours – staying up super late and sleeping in till the afternoon. Fortunately I’m a morning person so this schedule works really well for me!
Early To Bed
If for whatever reason you just can’t seem to do your journaling in the morning, swap out some of your evening TV time and consider journaling right before going to sleep. It will give you a chance to unwind and reflect upon the day and set yourself up for a more restful sleep.
Beach Time
In addition to bringing a book to the beach or pool, bring along your journal as well. If you have kids and they’re old enough to go in the water by themselves, give yourself some time to journal while they’re happily swimming around. If your kids need supervision, switch off with another adult that joined you for the day. I’m sure they’d appreciate a bit of a break as well.
Take It Everywhere!
You never know when you’ll have small pockets of time so it’s best to always have your journal with you – especially when inspiration hits and you feel like you need to write it down.
Grocery shopping or running errands? Spend a few extra minutes in your car before unloading.
Do you go for a morning walk or run? Carry a light backback and after your run find a bench and whip out your journal before heading home.
Waiting rooms are another great time to get in some journaling. If you have a doc appointment, instead of flipping through old magazines while you wait, do something more productive and beneficial for yourself and get some journaling in.
Laundry Time!
This may sound crazy and it’s probably one of the very few times you’ll ever hear me encourage you to do laundry but hear me out. This could be a chance for some alone time! If you live in an apartment building and your laundry room is in the basement, bring your journal with you and instead of going up and down between the wash and dry cycles, stay down there and get some journaling in.
If your family normally helps out with the folding, volunteer to fold all of it but in a separate room! After it’s done or before you start, get the journal out and write to your heart’s content! My girls usually help me fold but when I feel I could use some alone time, I let them off the hook, pile it all on my bed, close the door and listen to an inspirational audio while folding. If I missed my morning journaling I’ll do it after folding and won’t come out of the room until I’m done. They’re happy, I’m happy – it’s a win win situation all around!
No matter what time of year, start or continue journaling to help create positive changes in your life!
Need help getting started? Download my 7 days of journal writing prompts.
When do you make time for journaling during summer break?
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