Vegan lifestyle by Jessica Goodenough

Live your best plant-based life!

  • Vegan food
  • Vegan home
  • Vegan style
  • Free mini vegan capsule wardrobe

Explore

  • Vegan food
  • Vegan home
  • Vegan style
  • Free mini vegan capsule wardrobe

Learn more

  • About me
  • Recommended vegan resources
  • The Spring 2023 Vegan Capsule Wardrobe
  • My Etsy store

Connect

  • About me
  • Recommended vegan resources
  • The Spring 2023 Vegan Capsule Wardrobe
  • My Etsy store

Personal growth · 21 November 2019

Five ways to journal: how and why to write your thoughts down

Here I’ve listed five ways I journal in the order I do them on a daily basis… Well most days, as I’m aiming for consistency over perfection (and so should you!). The first four I do as part of my morning routine and the fifth I do just before heading to bed. If you’re not doing any of these yet, I’d recommend starting with one and building up from there!

All you need is a pen and a notebook (check out some nice stationary here), but you could start with just a random piece of paper, so no excuses! I do recommend journaling with pen and paper as opposed to digitally – it’s more relaxing and you’re less tempted by all the digital distractions.

(Please note: this post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase a product I recommend, I may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog!)

Reminding yourself of your big goals

It helps to focus my mind on what’s important. I’ve adapted my big goals for the year since discovering I was pregnant. (They’re less ambitious on the exercise front for example!) The main idea is to write your goals down in a positive way, in the present tense.

Examples: This year I am working on logging 1,000 miles. This month I am working on getting to 50,000 words of research material. This week I am working on typing up my fieldwork notes.

Writing out affirmations

This helps me to build the self-image to reach my goals. If we don’t believe we’re a certain type of person (e.g. a runner, an entrepreneur), then we subconsciously sabotage our efforts towards becoming that kind of person. If you don’t know where to start and want a bit more inspiration on this front, check out the meditations in the Living the Goodenough Life community – every day comes with a positive affirmation that you could include in your journaling routine. Again, you want to write positive statements in the present tense.

Examples: I apply myself and get the results I want. I maintain healthy habits, such as regular exercise. My schedule brings me joy. There’s no need to be perfect, take a step in the right direction. I am already enough.

Setting out your intentions for what you’re going to do today

After writing out my goals and my affirmations, I journal about the main things I am going to do that day. The video below outlines this in more detail:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlPD09D8Nds

Example: An important thing for me to do today is to schedule a blog post. I am doing this to create a regular blogging schedule and to share my ideas with the world, hopefully helping people in the process. I will feel accomplished and proud of myself for doing so.

Braindump / stream-of-consciousness journaling

This is a shorter version of the “morning pages” technique made famous by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way: A Course in Discovering and Recovering Your Creative Self. (I haven’t read it by the way, so if you have, please do tell me what you thought in the comments below!) The main idea is to put pen to paper, decide how long you’re going to write for (e.g. one page) and just write what comes to mind, without censoring yourself.

This is really good for getting your thoughts out of your head and processing them. It’s especially beneficial if you’ve got a lot going on, you’re stressed about something specific or you’re experiencing a bit of a slump. Getting your thoughts out on paper helps to stop them whizzing around in your head and allows you to start making sense of them. Try it and you’ll see!

Make time for what is important

Check out my free guide to making time for what is important in eight steps – with tools at your fingertips!

Recapping your day in one or two sentences

So this is the one I do in bed, just before going to sleep (or reading a bit). I use Gretchen Rubin’s One-Sentence Journal, but you could start out with a plain notebook or a dated planner. I’ve now completed a full one and I’m onto my second journal – which means I’ve got more than five years of my life that I can look back on!

It’s also a good way of practicing gratitude and reminding yourself of the good things that happened that day. The man and I already share three things we’re grateful for from that day with each other at bedtime, but if you don’t have someone to do that with, this journaling practice would be a great opportunity to do so!

Bonus: doodling!

Sometimes drawing helps us to destress and let go of what is on our mind. “Drawing” is quite a generous word here as I only spend a couple of minutes doodling a day (on the bottom of the page I use for journaling in the morning). If you want to be a bit more organised about it, you could use a book as a starting point or take a Skillshare class to improve your confidence.

I bought the Tombow pens I mentioned in my back-to-school wishlist post and I followed some of the prompts from Furry Little Peach‘s Inktober challenge. It doesn’t matter what month you’re reading this in or at what point in the month you start. Just jump in to a challenge, anyone can do it!

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2EpvUEAXEV/

Can you see the value of journaling, but you’re not sure how to fit it into your already busy day? Then you need my guide to reducing overwhelm and prioritising what’s important. Click here to get it for free!

All you need to journal is a pen & a notebook, but you could start with a random piece of paper, so no excuses! 🖋️📖😊

Posted By: Jessica Goodenough · In: Personal growth

Autumn style inspired by five autumnal activities
Happy birthday to me! A look back on the past year

About Jessica Goodenough

I'm not a regular mum, I'm a vegan mum 😉
Helping you live your best plant-based life 🌱
All welcome - no vegan police here! 💚
Learn more about me here.

Related posts

In this episode of the Living the Goodenough Life podcast, I interview Nasreen about how we can make time for our personal goals. This includes her personal development journey and what her non-negotiables are!How to make time for your personal goal(s) with Nasreen
Listen in for how I work from home productively with a toddler + while pregnant. These productivity strategies will be helpful even if you're in a different stage of life!How I work from home productively with a toddler + while pregnant
Welcome to the Living the Goodenough Life Podcast! This is me leading by example by showing up imperfectly, which is what this podcast is all about. I'll share a bit about me and why I'm starting a podcast, as well as my personal development journey + what you can expect from this podcast. Also listen in to know how you can take part in the podcast giveaway!Episode 1: Welcome to the Living the Goodenough Life Podcast… Here’s your permission to show up imperfectly!
About Photo
Hi I'm Jessica! Welcome to my blog, where you can find vegan lifestyle inspiration to help you live your best plant-based life!

Don’t miss

Vegan furniture UK

Where to find vegan furniture in the UK (and beyond!)

Hearty plant-based meals

4 hearty plant-based meals to keep you warm and satisfied

Festive home office decor ideas

3 festive home office decor ideas for Christmas and beyond

Affiliate disclosure

I earn commission for purchases or clicks made through links on this website, at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting my work!

Get on the List

In a rush, but don't want to be hungry by 10:30? H In a rush, but don't want to be hungry by 10:30? Here's the solution! ✨

🔗 Follow the link in my bio for 3 more breakfast ideas (including easy-to-follow videos) and some cute containers to take them on the go! 😊

#BreakfastOnTheGo #DailyDozen #VeganBreakfastIdeas #PlantBasedMeals #VeganBreakfast
I've been experimenting with smoothies for a while I've been experimenting with smoothies for a while and I've finally found the magic formula... 👇

So here it is:
🫘 Half a can of butter beans, drained and rinsed (trust me you can't taste them, but they're oh so good for you)
🫐 Half a cup of frozen berries (doesn't matter what type, but choose organic if you can)
🍌 A ripe banana
🥬 A good handful of leafy greens (spinach, etc.)
🥄 A tablespoon of ground flaxseed
(🥜 Optional: a tablespoon of peanut butter - if you want it creamier or are trying to get more calories in)
🫗 A cup of water (about 250 mL) - feel free to experiment with this last one until you get the consistency you like

I came up with this because I couldn't find a protein powder that I liked and that didn't make the texture go all wrong... 🤢

Also because I believe whole foods are the way to go! 🌱 ... Well about 80% of the time. 😉

I make mine two at a time in my @nutribullet as it comes with two cups - that way tomorrow's breakfast is covered! 💡

If you've read this far, make sure you follow me for more quick plant-based breakfast ideas (coming tomorrow)! And have a lovely day. 😘

#VeganSmoothie #Nutribullet #DailyDozen #VeganBreakfastIdeas #WhatIEatInADay
Just my 2 cents after 7 years of doing this. 🌱✨😘 Resources 👇

✅ You can find the Daily Dozen app both on Android and iPhone - it's a super easy way of ensuring you're eating nutritious foods, without counting calories or any other faffy way of tracking food (it's all evidence-based, by the team behind @nutrition_facts_org). 📲

✅ The @plantbasedmorningshow is the perfect balance of common-sense vegan living advice and nonsense banter to remind you to not take it all too seriously! 😅

✅ My blog jessicagoodenough.com is the place to go if you're wanting to:
🥗 learn the basics of eating plant-based 
💃 take vegan living beyond the kitchen and get vegan fashion and home recommendations!

#GoingVegan #VeganReels #PlantBasedLiving #VeganLiving #GoVegan
Which one's your favourite? 🌹 For context: "In Which one's your favourite? 🌹

For context: "International Women's Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women's equality."

I.e. let's celebrate how far we've come but also keep pushing forward! ✊🏿✊🏼✊🏽

#InternationalWomensDay #InternationalWomensDay2023 #IWD #IWD2023 #ConsciousLiving #EmbraceEquity
How's beating yourself up been working for you? 🤔 Here's an alternative. 👇

Focus on what you already have and who you already are. Because:
1️⃣ It simply feels better than focusing on our shortcomings or how "we're not there yet".
2️⃣ It will help you attract more good things. Just like people who complain all the time keep attracting "bad luck", people who focus on gratitude find more opportunities.
3️⃣ Your glowing gratitude will attract people to you that will help you move towards your best life.

I know I have a tendency to always focus on the next goal and the next and the next... But sometimes you need to slow down (and smell the roses 🌹) to speed up. ✨

#GlowAndGrow #TakeItSlow #StayInspired #GratefulHeart #SlowDown
"How to ruin a surprise"... 🤦🏼‍♀️😅 "How to ruin a surprise"... 🤦🏼‍♀️😅

If you'd like to see outfits featuring these @donlonco earrings, drop your favourite flower emoji in the comments! 😘

(Reposting as there was a glitch that cut the actual opening off... 🙄)

#ConsciousFashionBlogger #FlowerEarrings #CapsuleWardrobe #FashionInspo #Gifted
Something exciting is coming! ✨ Get notified 👇

🔗 Follow the link in my bio and click "Grab your free mini vegan capsule wardrobe" to be on the list to be notified when the 🌷 spring 2023 vegan capsule wardrobe 🌷 is available (+ get a free mini starter vegan capsule wardrobe as a bonus)! 😘

#VeganCapsuleWardrobe #ResponsibleFashion #CapsuleWardrobe #MindfulFashion #SustainableClothing
Happy Valentines Day from my new hair and me to yo Happy Valentines Day from my new hair and me to you! 😘👇 Quick intro if you're new here:

💃🏼 My name's Jessica and I'm 32 (how do I start this without sounding awkward? 😅)

👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 I have two little boys and I work as a green spaces development officer in Oxford in the UK.

🌱 I've been vegan for more than 7 years now, so I'm using Instagram and my blog (jessicagoodenough.com) to share vegan food, home and fashion tips.

💖 I do my best to be welcoming to people no matter how un-vegan (that's a word? 🤷🏼‍♀️😅) they are, because no one likes an angry vegan. 😉

📝 I'm also into personal development, mindset and all that jazz (well not actually jazz, I'm more into country haha 🤠). 

🤔 I'm a questioner and like researching and planning things (go to @gretchenrubin's website, do her four tendencies quiz and come back here to tell me which one you are!). 🤓

Back to you! Tell me:
A. Where you're based right now (obviously don't share your full address)!
B. The last TV series you loved
C. And/or the last book you couldn't put down
... And then I'll share mine! 😊

#VeganLifestyle #VeganLiving #PersonalDevelopment #VeganBlogger
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Get in touch

Copyright © 2023 Vegan lifestyle by Jessica Goodenough · Theme by 17th Avenue