10 GOOD

REASONS
TO JOURNAL

Journal your way

to a life you love.

BY CHRISTIE ZIMMER
INTRODUCTION
Hello! I’m so excited you’re here!

In this e-book, I’ll share ten good reasons to journal and ten printable journal pages full
of prompts to get you started.

Journaling is my passion, my obsession. It has changed my life, deepened it, made it

more productive, more rewarding, and so much more interesting. It’s my support on a
rainy day, my inspiration when I’m out of ideas, the story of my journey so far, and the
place where I plan for my future.

I hope this e-book will inspire you to develop a journal practice that celebrates your
strengths and achievements, nurtures your unique voice, encourages and supports
meaningful decision-making, and gives you the time, space, and perspective to set and
achieve the life goals that matter most to you.

All you have to do is start writing. So let’s get to it!

Best wishes and happy journaling,

Christie

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

GOOD REASON #1: TO CELEBRATE YOUR
SUCCESSES - AND BUILD ON THEM

Your successes have fascinating stories to tell. They illustrate your strengths, abilities
and passions. They highlight your creative strategies for reaching your goals and they set
the scene for your future triumphs.

Take one of your recent accomplishments. How did you make it happen? What did you
learn along the way? When you think about the specific things you did to make your
achievements possible, when you recognize the steps you took by writing them down,
you begin to build an inventory of resources and techniques you can draw upon to use
on the path to your next success.

And don’t forget your strengths! What skills and qualities do you bring to your projects,
your work, your relationships? When you write about your strengths, you see them --
really see them -- perhaps for the first time.

It's here, in your journal, that you can discover the best in yourself so that you can bring
all that you are to all that you do.

If you're ready to celebrate your successes, dive into the first journal page!

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #1:

TO CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESSES

- AND BUILD ON THEM
Date:

Five of your unique strengths, skills, or abilities: One of your recent

accomplishments:

Two things you did to

make it happen:
One new accomplishment you’re
working toward:

One reason it’s important to you:

One step, big or small, you’ve already

taken toward success: One thing you learned about
yourself along the way:

The next two steps you’ll take:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #2: TO FACE YOUR
CHALLENGES HEAD ON, THEN FIGURE
OUT HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

One way to begin facing a challenge is by writing it down in a safe, confidential place like
your journal. Transforming your thoughts and experiences into words gives them form
and substance and allows you to consider them from different angles and different
points of view.

Here, in your journal, you can view your challenge at arm's length, as if it belongs to a
dear friend and your job is to give her or him your advice about how to proceed. Don’t be
surprised if you find that when you see the words on the page, the problem doesn't
seem quite so impossible and you can already begin to see possibilities for a solution.

When that happens, write down those possible solutions, even the really far-fetched
ones. There is no judgment here. You can whittle down your options later, then choose
one or two small, confidence-building steps that you can take right away to begin to
move forward.

There's just one more thing. You don't have to do this alone. Take a moment to
recognize the people and resources that are there for you when you need them. Who
will you call if you need a pep talk? Where will you look for more information on the
issue you're dealing with? Who can you call for advice?

Build these contingencies into your plan for forward-moving action so you can go out
there and face your challenges with courage and confidence. I know you can do it!

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #2:

TO FACE YOUR CHALLENGES HEAD ON, THEN

FIGURE OUT HOW TO OVERCOME THEM
Date:

One goal or project that is important to

you, but not proceeding as expected: Three possible ideas for resolving
your challenge or issue:

One challenge or issue that is

affecting the progress of your project:
oo

ooo
One reason this issue is difficult for you:

One small step you can

take right now:

Overcoming this challenge

means you’ll be able to: One more step you can
take after that:

If you need a pep talk or If you need advice, one If you need
a warm hug, one person person or organization information, one place
you can count on: you can contact: you can look it up:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #3: TO STOP FOR A
MOMENT AND RECOGNIZE THE GOOD
STUFF

One of the benefits of writing in your journal is that it encourages you to take a step back
from your busy day and reflect about a subject of your choosing.

This is a fantastic opportunity to appreciate and build on the elements of your day that
you truly enjoy.

I loved writing the prompts for this journal page. When I tested out the finished page, I
found that one good thought led to another. I filled all the lines and just about all the
spaces in between with as many good things as I could imagine. It was a serious mood
brightener! By the end, I was even jotting down ideas for future good things -- which is
where journaling really adds value to your day.

Since journaling is a tool for positive action, you can use this page's prompts to remind
you not only of the things you already appreciate, but also of the steps you can take to
bring more good things into your life.

Even if you don't have a ready answer for one or two prompts, consider instead
something you might do to seek out an answer.

If, for example, you can't think of one place where you feel fully at peace, write instead
about the things that would be required of such a place. List the places you can visit or
revisit. Imagine spaces you could create that would fit the bill.

My final thought and another great benefit of this tool of yours -- especially if you find
yourself in a good place after journaling today -- is to share your brightness of spirit with
someone you know, someone you love, or even a complete stranger!

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #3:

TO STOP FOR A MOMENT AND

RECOGNIZE THE GOOD STUFF
Date:

Three things, people, places, or

experiences you’re thankful for: One recent memory that makes you smile:

One meaningful thing that was made

possible through your work or involvement:

One beautiful thing in your home that

was created or placed there by you:

One activity that brings you joy:

One person you can count on for a kind word

when you really need it:

One subject that fascinates you:

One person who inspires you:

One place where you feel

fully at peace: One person (or two!) (or three!) you adore:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #4: TO DEVELOP YOUR
VOICE - AND THEN USE IT

The first thing to know about your voice is that it's much more than what you say. It is a
reflection of who you are in the world.

With your voice, you can help others understand your point of view, you can draw on
personal experience to inspire action or change, you can let people know what you
stand for, and you can contribute in meaningful ways to important conversations.

Your journal is an invaluable tool for exploring the fascinating, talented, and multi-
dimensional person you are. It's also a place to record the ways in which you are
changing and adapting to new circumstances. It's a place to think about how you want
to use your voice and what, exactly, you want to say.

Let your passions guide you.

What excites you? What inspires you? What matters to you? What do you do or know or
understand that might inspire others? When you speak up about the work, projects,
ideas and pursuits that interest you, your energy shines through and engages others.

Write down the things, ideas, and issues you are passionate about. I'll bet there are all
sorts of people, near and far, who share your excitement and would be interested to
hear what you have to say.

I hope your journal entries will inspire you to join a conversation -- in person, online, at
school, at work, with friends and strangers alike -- about the things that matter most to
you!

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #4:

TO DEVELOP YOUR VOICE

- AND THEN USE IT
Date:

One idea, belief, or issue that matters to you a

Two things you love great deal:
to work on:

One compelling thing you know or understand

about this idea, belief, or issue:

Two things you love

to do for fun:

One way you could share your excitement about

your idea/belief/issue with others:

Two things you love

to learn about:

One contribution you’d like to make in an area or

activity that interests you:

Two topics you love

to discuss:

One thing you can do to make it happen:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #5: TO OBSERVE THE
WORLD AROUND YOU AND YOUR PLACE
IN IT

Just as your voice is more than what you say, your observations are more than what you
see. Observation is about noticing things you might not have seen if you weren’t paying
attention. It’s about focusing on the details. It’s also about making sense of the things
you notice, connecting them to the things you already know about the world or
delighting in the thrill of seeing something new.

Your journal is an excellent place to record your observations. Start by engaging your
senses. What do you see, touch, hear, and feel? Then move on to the stories and places
that capture your attention and fill your time. These are opportunities to understand
them better.

When prompted to write about a place where you spend a lot of your time, for example,
think about the physical details of the space, but also consider how you feel while you
are there. Think about the reason this place exists, perhaps the need it fills for you. Does
it make you think differently about that place? Or about yourself?

The world is full of surprises and with a little careful observation, your journal will be full
of surprises, too. I hope they lead you to a deeper and more meaningful understanding
of the world around you and your place in it.

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #5:

TO OBSERVE THE WORLD AROUND

YOU AND YOUR PLACE IN IT
Date:

Where you are right now:

One place in your community where you
spend or have spent a lot of time:

Looking up, one thing you see:

Three words to describe its appearance:

One thing you’d like to reach

out and touch: One reason you spend time there:

Three words to describe the way you feel

One sound you’re just when you’re there:
noticing now:

One news story out in the world right now that has your attention:

One specific detail about the story that is meaningful to you:

One way in which the story relates to or reminds you of one of your own experiences:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #6: TO GIVE YOUR
ENTHUSIASM A BOOST

Here's the thing about enthusiasm: it gets stuff done. It puts a smile on your face and a
spring in your step. It gives you the energy you need to keep moving forward.

Your enthusiasm also gives you valuable insights about the subjects that truly interest
you and directs you toward the pursuits you'll want to give your all. It's so much easier to
achieve the goals that engage your interests and connect you to your passions.

Use your journal to give your enthusiasm a boost.

Write about the things that excite you, the things you can't wait to do, the adventures
you're always up for, the stuff you're really good at and the stuff you haven't tried, but
you know you'd be really good at.

Write about the people whose enthusiasm you admire and the ways you can adopt their
inspiring approaches to life.

Follow your enthusiasm and chances are you'll be delighted by what you find!

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #6:

TO GIVE YOUR ENTHUSIASM

A BOOST
Date:

One item on your to-do list that you can’t wait

to get to: One thing/thought/idea
that motivates you to keep
moving forward:

One adventure you’re always up for:

One thing you can’t stop talking about:

One activity or pasttime that
energizes you:

The most enthusiastic person you know:

One activity or pasttime that

makes the most of your
unique skills and talents:

One thing you admire about her/his

approach to life:
One thing you’ve never
done, but know you’d
be great at:

One way you can brazenly copy her/his

approach in your own life: One good reason to give
that thing a try:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #7: TO CAPTURE THE
MOMENTS YOU DON’T WANT TO FORGET

Your journal is the story of your one-of-a-kind journey so far: the firsts and the
milestones, your successes and your brilliant ideas, your loves and connections, your
plans for the future, and so much more.

There are a wide variety of perspectives you can choose from when you write about the
things you don't want to forget:

• You can take a moment at regular intervals to write about the stuff you're into -- what
you're reading and watching, what you're doing, who and what you're inspired by --
so that you can see your tastes and interests change and evolve over time.

• You can record your best and brightest ideas -- so that they'll be there, in all their
glory, when you're ready to spring to action.

• You can write about your experiences, including the special details that made all the
difference -- so that you can always call them to mind.

• You can gush about the people you adore and the things they do or that you do
together that bring joy to your life.

• You can even jot down the thoughts that make you smile or the things you’re
wondering about or your views on the current state of the world.

And when you decide to record those moments, the ones you hope you'll never forget,
think about the details. Think about what you saw, what you heard, how you felt, and
what was said and jot them down. Think about what a particular event or experience
meant to you and make a note of that, too.

Now, here's the best part: read back through your journal from time to time. When you
need some reassurance about just how far you've come, when you need some of those
brilliant ideas to motivate you to move forward, or when you just want to remember what
it was like that day -- the day when one little moment made a difference in your life and
added to the story of who you are now -- look to your journal and you'll always be able
to remember.

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #7:

TO CAPTURE THE MOMENTS YOU

DON’T WANT TO FORGET
Date:

Stuff you’re into/up to right now . . .

One experience in the past week or so
Watching, listening, reading: that you hope you’ll never forget:

Two important details about it:

Doing:

Inspired by: One reason it’s meaningful to you:

One person (or pet!) who adds love to your life: One thing that’s on your
mind these days:

Two things she/he does that you adore:

One of your best and brightest

recent ideas:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #8: TO SPARK YOUR
CREATIVITY

Trust me when I tell you this: you are a creative person. You are. Creativity is a mindset
and a practice, not an innate, unattainable personality trait. We may not all express our
creativity in the same ways, but believe me when I tell you, we are all creative.

Creativity is essentially about two things: novelty and utility. You are being creative when
you approach an idea, a project, or a process in a way that is new and useful. Thinking up
new ideas, creating new things, and approaching old routines in new ways is certainly
easier said than done, but there are hints all around you -- and also within you.

Get out your journal and start with something easy. Write down your ideas for doing
everyday things in new ways. Sit in a different spot at the dinner table. Take a different
path to your favourite place. Conduct your daytime routine in a different order. These
new approaches won't all take root or even make sense in the end, but you may find a
more satisfying, more efficient, or -- dare I say it? -- more creative way to move through
your days.

Another way to spark your creativity is to try new things. Meet new people, take a class,
visit new places. Use your journal to develop a list of the new experiences you're up for
and commit to trying at least one right away. (Remember, your journal is a tool for
positive action.) You never know where you'll discover your creative inspiration.

Finally, use your journal to think new thoughts and generate new ideas:

• Write lists, long lists that really stretch your imagination. Lists that are long enough to
draw out the obvious answers and then the less obvious, more creative ones.

• Draw maps of your ideas with arrows and circles and boxes and notes to self.

• Carry your journal around with you and write at different times of the day.

• Keep a waterproof notepad in the shower.

• Put a notebook and colourful markers on the bedside table.

• And try not to judge your ideas while you're generating them. In order to have good
ideas, you'll have to have bad ones, too. It's par for the course. It's to be expected. It's
necessary. Judge later, when you're deciding which of your fantastically creative
ideas to pursue.
© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.
 One new person
you’d like to invite
One idea from the list above that you can
TO SPARK YOUR CREATIVITY

pursue in your own creative way: out for coffee:

Creative ideas that inspire you:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

One new subject
you’d like to learn
more about:
GOOD REASON #8:

One new food

or restaurant you’d
like to try:
One new place,
close by, you’d
like to visit:
One way you could approach it differently:
One new thing, from
above, that you’ll try
soon, like this week:
you perform the same way each time:
One ordinary part of your daily routine that

Date:
GOOD REASON #9: TO CONNECT THE
DOTS BETWEEN YOUR THOUGHTS AND
ACTIONS

In the previous pages you've accomplished so much! You've celebrated your successes,
faced your challenges head on, written about the good stuff, and sparked your creativity.
You've also honed your observations and problem solving skills, used your voice, and
identified your passions. Bravo!

There are two good reasons left to go and I thought it would be fun to use these last two
journal pages to think about some of the bigger questions in life -- questions about
meaning and purpose and, ultimately, about becoming the person you want to be.

What matters to you? Why do you do the things you do? What gives your pursuits
meaning? Where are you headed? These are not easy questions -- to ask or to answer --
but you don't have to figure out all the answers right now. You are a work in progress and
so is your journal.

One way to begin to answer these questions is to connect the dots between your
thoughts and your actions. Do your actions reflect the meaning and purpose you'd like to
have in your life? Your journal is an excellent place to bring your priorities into focus, to
think things through -- even as they are happening -- and to consider what actions, if
any, you might like to take going forward.

Think about the people and places, the principles and life goals that are most important
to you. Maybe they concern family, faith, work or community. Maybe they include joy,
love, integrity or perseverance. The aim is to think about how you are making them a
part of your life -- so that your life is every bit as full and purposeful as you'd like it to be.

Then -- and here's the good part -- go out there, little by little, day by day and live your
meaning and your purpose! And don't forget to revisit your journal, to check in on
yourself and your priorities, to record new and meaningful experiences, and to make
sure that your actions are connected to your intentions.

It is so worth the time and effort -- and so are you.

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #9:

TO CONNECT THE DOTS BETWEEN

YOUR THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS
Date:

One thing about your life you’d like to

change, tweak, or improve: The people, places, and things
that matter most to you:

One step you have already taken to change,

tweak, or improve that thing:

The next step you’ll take:

One principle that is important to you:

One way you have incorporated this principle into your life:

One life goal that is important to you:

One way you are pursuing your goal:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

GOOD REASON #10: TO BECOME THE
PERSON YOU WANT TO BE

Way back at Reason #1, I wrote about bringing all that you are to all that you do. The
idea is that when you really know yourself -- your strengths and abilities, your beliefs
and motivations, your goals and your needs, your interests and inspirations -- you are
able to draw on all of your many talents and perspectives to make the most of your
opportunities and the best of your challenges. This is the value of journaling.

You've laid the groundwork in the preceding pages. Not only do you know yourself
better, but you also know how to get the most from your journal. So I think it's entirely
fitting that the final good reason to journal is to become the person you want to be.

Whether or not you've thought or written about it before, take a moment to write in your
journal about the person you want to be. And when you do, consider this: just as you are
the author of your journal, you are also the author of your life's story. You decide how to
proceed. You can go out there and happen to life every bit as much as it happens to you.
You can choose purposeful action.

How do you do that? My hunch is that you already know. Just ask yourself. (There's a
spot on this week's journal page for just such a question.) Ask your question and then let
yourself answer it. I think you'll be surprised by the wisdom reflected in your answer. It
may be that you know exactly what to do or that you know who to ask for advice or it
may lead to more questions that yield unexpected, but illuminating, answers. The point
is that you know more than you think you know, especially about who you want to be.
Take a moment to sit down for a chat with your wise self.

Becoming the person you want to be is a lifelong project and your journal is there for you
every step of the way. Return to your journal often to check in on yourself. Are you that
person? If yes, bravo and keep moving in that direction! Celebrate your success! In the
moments when you're not so sure, look to your journal for reassurance and guidance.
And don't be afraid to ask yourself for a little advice on how to proceed. As I've said
before, you are absolutely worth the time and effort and I know you can do it!

© 2018 Christie Zimmer - For personal use only.

 GOOD REASON #10:

TO BECOME THE PERSON YOU

WANT TO BE
Date:

Three words to describe the person

you want to be: One way in which
you’re already the person
you want to be:

One way in which you’re well

on your way to becoming the
person you want to be:

One important question you’d like

to ask yourself:

This is the answer: One way in which you’d like to

continue to grow into the
person you want to be:

10 Good Reasons to Journal © 2018 Christie Zimmer www.christiezimmer.com

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MORE?

Thank you so much for reading and journaling! I hope this e-book gave you insight and
inspiration about the ways that journaling can be a tool for action as you set, pursue and
achieve the priorities that matter most to you.

If you’d like to see more of my journals and prompts, I invite you to:

• browse the selection of journal printables on my website,

• visit me on Instagram or Facebook and join the conversation with your replies to new
journal prompts every week,

• visit my blog, where I post stories, updates, and journal pages in progress,

• drop me a line via email or my contact page. I look forward to meeting you!

As always, best wishes and happy journaling,

Christie

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My name is Christie Zimmer. I write and design guided
journals because I believe journaling is an invaluable
tool for creating a life you love.
My goal is to create journal resources that stimulate
purposeful reflection about the people, places, and
experiences that matter most to you so that you can
set, pursue, and achieve your life goals with courage
and confidence.

WWW.CHRISTIEZIMMER.COM • CHRISTIE@CHRISTIEZIMMER.COM