In our busy, screen-filled lives, it can be hard to carve out space just to pause, reflect, and breathe. That’s where journaling comes in. Whether you’re pouring out thoughts, setting gentle goals, or simply decorating a page with your favourite washi tape, journaling is more than just writing, it’s a way to reconnect with yourself.
At Under the Rowan Trees, we believe that stationery isn't just about tools - it's about supporting your wellbeing, sparking joy, and creating moments of calm. Here's how journaling can boost your mental health, plus some feel-good prompts and rituals to help you get started.
Why Journaling Helps Your Mind
Journaling isn’t about being a great writer or having perfect handwriting. It’s about giving your thoughts somewhere safe to land. Studies have shown that putting pen to paper can:
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Lower stress and anxiety
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Help you process emotions
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Improve sleep
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Increase mindfulness
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Boost your sense of gratitude and resilience
Even 5–10 minutes a day can have a big impact on your mood. And the best part? There's no right or wrong way to do it.
Feel-Good Stationery Rituals to Try
Incorporating stationery into your journaling can make the experience even more soothing and enjoyable. Here are some simple rituals to help turn journaling into your favourite self-care practice:
1. Create a cosy journaling corner
Light a candle, make a cup of tea, and pop on a playlist you love. Surround yourself with calming colours, blankets, and that notebook you’ve been saving for “something special.”
2. Use tools that bring you joy
Choose a pen that glides across the page, highlighters in gentle tones, or stickers that make you smile. Try our erasable pens for flexible writing or retractable pens so you never lose the lid mid-flow!
3. Add washi tape, tabs & sticky notes
Turn your journal into a space that feels personal and expressive. Mark pages with tabs, doodle in the margins, or create a colour-coded mood tracker with your favourite pens.
Journaling Prompts for Mental Health
Need a little nudge to get started? Try one of these simple prompts the next time you sit down to journal:
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What’s one small thing that brought me joy today?
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How am I really feeling right now, and why?
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What’s one thing I can let go of this week?
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Write a letter to your future self.
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What are three things I’m grateful for today?
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List 5 things that make me feel safe and calm.
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If I had a full day to myself, I would…
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My thoughts feel like ___ today.
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I feel proud of myself for…
Remember, there’s no need to answer every prompt perfectly or even in full sentences. Let your thoughts wander and see where they take you.
You Deserve This Time
Journaling can be a powerful way to gently tune into your inner world. Whether you’re scribbling, doodling, planning or venting, the simple act of slowing down and putting pen to paper can be incredibly healing.
And if you need a little nudge, you’ll find plenty of beautiful, thoughtful tools to support your journaling journey in our shop. From guided journals and dot grid notebooks, to pens, stickers, washi tape, and more.
