Journaling for Kids and Teens

Journaling is often seen as something for adults to do to find clarity and relieve stress, 
but it is just as beneficial for your kids and teens. Here are some things to know about 
journaling for kids and teenagers.


1. Introducing Journaling to Kids and Teens

How Kids and Teens Can Start Journaling

Once you understand the benefits of journaling for kids and teens, it is time to figure out 
how to actually introduce it and add it to their routine. Luckily, this is the easy part! Here 
are some simple ways to get your kids and teens to start writing in a journal.


Get Them Supplies They LOVE to Use

To start with – the supplies you get for journaling is an important decision to make! Try 
to involve them in buying the journal, writing utensils, and other supplies. The supplies 
are probably going to be a little different depending on the age of your kids.

For the younger kids, lots of art supplies, pens that are easy for their hands to grasp, 
and a bigger space for writing is going to be better. Older kids and pre-teens often 
prefer something a little more simplistic, like a standard notebook or journal, with their 
choice of pens. Teenagers are often similar, though might prefer a journal that is more 
sophisticated, like a leather-bound one.


For Kids – Making it Fun Makes All the Difference

Kids want to have fun with this activity, so it’s important that you make it different than 
homework or other chores you require of them. Turn it into something they love to do 
and look forward to by making it as fun as possible.

Some kids might prefer you to join in, so you can use this time to bond with your child 
and write in your own journal as they write in theirs. You can give them fun writing 
prompts, put on some music, or decorate their journaling space. Get creative and have 
fun, and always involve your kids in the process.


For Teens – Focus on Creating a Tech-Free Routine

Teenagers are going to strive when they can be creative, but you also want to make this 
a tech-free environment. Don’t let your teenagers use their journal on their computer! 
Pen and paper is going to be way more beneficial for this type of practice.

Think about your teen’s daily routine and when journaling might fit in. Maybe encourage 
them to write in it in the morning before school, or in the afternoon after they are 
finished with their homework.


Provide Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are an easy way to give your kids and teens ideas of what to write 
about. There are prompts for different ages, which is important because younger kids 
won’t be able to use a writing prompt meant for a young adult. 


The Importance of Positivity Mindsets with Journaling

While journaling should never have rules and always remain non-judgmental, it does 
help with kids and pre-teens to have more of a positive mindset. This doesn’t mean they 
never maintain honesty in how they are truly feeling, but end a negative thought with a 
positive one. 


You Can Relieve Stress and Anxiety 

Sometimes, when you have all those anxious thoughts and stress stuck in your head, it 
makes it worse. But with journaling, it is a way to get it out of your head, and release all 
of that tension. It becomes a way of acknowledging it, then letting it go.

This can also be another way to practice mindfulness, as they are able to just focus on 
what it is right in that moment, without worrying so much about the past or future. All 
that can be controlled is the present, so that is what they focus on when they write in 
their journal and in a positive way.


It is Possible to Be Positive and Honest at the Same Time

One thing people don’t understand is that a journal is just meant to write out everything 
bugging you, pissing you off, stressing you out, and bumming you out. But that isn’t the 
case. You can still have a positive mindset, while also being brutally honest in your 
journal. 

There is a balance you want to strike here, which you can teach your kids and teens 
when it comes to the mindset they have about journaling. Teach them that every time 
they have a negative thought, it is okay to write it down, but then flip it and find 
something positive about it. 


Positivity Encourages Creativity, Goal-Setting, and Personal Development 

When kids and teens write in a more positive manner in their journal, it helps identify 
goals, improve their creativity, and improve their lives as a whole. The positivity mindset 
helps to train them to think of the bright side of things, no matter how difficult life gets. 
Imagine if you had this same skill when you were their age.


It is Helpful for Gratitude and Appreciation 

Kids especially can benefit by being positive with expressing their gratitude in their 
journal. They learn rom a very young age that no matter how little you think you have, 
there are always amazing blessings in your life. That is important to be thankful for them 
each and every day.


Improving Self-Esteem and Confidence with Journaling

The reason we encourage kids and teens to write in a journal, among the many other 
benefits, is because it can help a lot with their confidence and self-esteem. You are 
probably aware of how fragile this can be in your youth, and want to help your kids grow 
up feeling confident as much as possible. Journaling is a wonderful way to do that.


Explore Kids’ and Teens’ Issues with Self-Esteem

The thing with low self-esteem is that most people don’t recognize right away, especially 
adolescents. Your kids might not even realize they are struggling with self-confidence. 
This is what journaling is going to open up for them.

Just through the act of writing with open and honesty, both kids and teenagers often 
discover patterns of negative self-talk. This can give them a little insight into their own 
self-esteem issues, and work to overcome it also with the help of the journal.


Work on Building Confidence Slowly

With confidence, it is not something you don’t have one day, and just shows up the next 
day. It happens slowly, over time, and with a lot of work. Luckily, there are journal 
prompts that can help tremendously. 

Journal prompts for confidence often vary between determining a person’s confidence 
and self-esteem level, and trying to figure out where their mindset is. Here are a few 
examples:

1. How confident do you feel when you walk in a room?
2. Do you feel brave enough to talk to someone you don’t know?
3. How do you feel about yourself?
4. What are your favorite qualities about yourself?
5. What would you improve about your appearance if you could?


Using Positive Wording in the Journal

Being positive when writing in a journal can help a lot, especially when writing about 
ones’ self. This is a technique that does take a little practice, but you can give your kids 
or teens prompts that require them to do this. For example, have them write down 
something they don’t love about themselves, but frame it in a positive way. 

If your teenager wishes they were better at math, they can either write down a list of 
other subjects they are really good at, or write down how can improve their math skills.


Daily Affirmations for Lifting Them Up

Try introducing the use of affirmations with your kids and teens, giving them a positive 
statement that makes them feel good about themselves.  Affirmations like:

I am bold, strong, and beautiful.
I can achieve anything.
I am worthy of love. 

Have them choose a daily affirmation, and write it down in their journal.


Why Everyone Should Include Gratitude in Their Journal

Gratitude is the practice of recognizing and showing appreciation for the good things in 
your life. No matter who you are and what your life is like, there are always blessings to 
be grateful for. Big things, small things, and everything in between.

As you start introducing journaling to your kids and teenagers, it is helpful to show them 
the benefits of gratitude, and a journal is a great way to practice gratitude on a daily 
basis.
 

The Power of Gratitude 

Gratitude is one of the simplest, and most powerful practices for everyone, including 
kids and teenagers. You gain a lot just by showing your gratitude, for people of all ages. 

Expressing gratitude on a daily basis lets you see all the joys and blessings in your life, 
before you start writing in your journal about anything upsetting you. You are able to 
look objectively at your life, to see both the good and the bad. It is also really helpful in 
moments of stress or anxiety, where for those brief moments, you are able to look 
beyond it.


How to Use a Journal for Gratitude

The good news is, this is incredibly easy to do with a journal. All your kids have to do is 
write out a list of what they are grateful for each day. You can give them a specific topic, 
though it’s often easier just for them to think of something int heir life they appreciate, 
and write it down. 

Remember gratitude can be anything from eating a meal they enjoyed to having good 
friends. Kids and teens while think of a wide range of things they appreciate, and the 
more they write it down, the more things that will come to mind.


Tips for Making the Most Out of a Gratitude Practice

Want to make the most out of your gratitude practice? Here are some ways to do that, 
for yourself, and when teaching your kids.

Give them a specific number of things. This can help a lot when kids first start out, not 
knowing if they need 3 or 20. Start them with 3-5 things a day, increasing it to 10 when 
they feel ready. 

Keep it short. Let your kids know they don’t need a long explanation, just a simple 
phrase that explains what they are grateful for.

Have a journal just for gratitude. This is another good idea, because they know when 
they open up that journal or notebook, it is specifically for expressing their gratitude.


2. Journaling for Kids

Benefits of Journaling for Kids

If you thought journaling is only something teens and adults could do, you’re in for a big 
surprise! While it might look a little different for kids, depending on their age, they can 
benefit a lot by writing in a journal. Here are some of those benefits.


Kids Get to Express Their Feelings in a Safe Environment

Journaling provides a safe, private, non-judgmental space for kids to write about 
anything they want, including what they are thinking or feeling. It is important that as a 
parent, you allow your children’s journals to remain private and only for their eyes, 
unless they ask otherwise.

While your kids probably feel safe talking to you about certain things, they also need a 
place that is all theirs. Where they know they won’t have a voice on the other end 
commenting on it. Kids can really flourish just being given a journal that is private, that 
you promise to never read unless they ask you to. You will be amazed by how much 
less stressed your kids become.


It Can Improve Their Writing and Reading Skills

The more your kids write and read what they write, the more these skills are going to 
improve! Think about all the times your children currently write or read anything. It is 
probably mostly for school and homework, maybe some reading on their devices or 
books they love. But what about writing? Kids very rarely write much aside from school 
work.

Journaling gives them a daily practice where they can improve their writing skills, but in 
a way that ends up being enjoyable for them. They answer fun questions like what their 
favorite animal is and if they could be any tree, what would they be? It doesn’t feel much 
like homework.


Kids Become More Creative

Journals have also been known to help children become more creative. Not just with the 
way they work out what they want to write, but in how they design their different journal 
pages. Kids often excel when they can use color and design on their journal pages.

You might want to try out blank journal pages without lines, so they can treat it like a 
doodle page. Provide crayons, colored pencils, watercolor, stencils, stickers, and 
different types of pens. You will be able to see where your child’s mind goes when they 
are using their journal.


Journaling Helps with Critical Thinking and Communication Skills

Writing in a journal can also help kids of different ages develop more critical thinking 
skills and even improve their communication skills. It takes a little critical thinking to 
answer a question asked in a writing prompt, even one that might seem simple to you. 
This is a wonderful skill for kids of any age to learn through journaling.


Setting Up a Journaling Routine for Kids

Once you have decided to have your kids write in a journal, you might want to consider 
a routine. The routine comes in handy because it gets your kids used to writing in their 
journal, just like brushing their teeth or doing their homework. But you don’t want it to 
feel like a mandatory chore, or they won’t really benefit from it.

Here are some simple ways to create a journaling routine that is kid-friendly.


Choosing the Best Time

Think about the perfect time during the day when you could have the routine. For kids, 
this will depend on their school, homework, and other obligations. This might be in the 
morning if your kids tend to have a little extra time before school, right after school when 
they get home, or maybe in the evening before dinner. You can have TV or computer 
time as a reward after they have done their daily journal practice.


Having a Dedicated Journaling Space

It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but simple a space at their desk in their bedroom or a 
corner of the kitchen table. Have the journaling materials readily available, like a journal 
or notebook and writing utensils. You can have some decorative items or music if you 
think it would help your kids concentrate and get more excited for journaling. When it is 
a space they recognize as their writing space, it makes it much easier to turn this into a 
routine.


Providing What Your Kids Need

Make sure your kids have everything they need for journaling, which can be simple and 
inexpensive. You don’t have to buy the most expensive leather-bound journal and 
hundreds of dollars worth of craft supplies. Start slow, with just any notebook you think 
your kids will want to write in, and something to write with. You can slowly start 
incorporating more writing materials and other supplies. 


Letting Them Change the Routine as Needed

Pay attention to when your kids are excited about journaling, and when they have 
trouble focusing. This can be an indication of when it might be time to make minor 
adjustments to their journaling routine. Maybe you notice one of your kids prefers writing 
in the morning, but their sibling focuses better after homework is done. It is okay to 
make the journaling routine individual and unique for each of your kids, just as unique 
as they are.


Kids’ Journaling Idea: Kindness Journal

A kindness journal is exactly what it sounds like; a journal that helps kids to spread 
kindness and improve their own positivity and gratitude. Kindness journals allow your 
kids to maintain a positive attitude, see all the beauty in the world, and want to help 
others be happy and kind, passing it around from person to person. 


How Kids Can Use the Kindness Journal 

It is best to keep the kindness journal separate from other types of journals, like a 
gratitude or daily journal. With the kindness journal, there are a few things they can 
write about.

What Kindness Means to Them – Start by keeping it basic by letting your kids write in 
their journal about what they think kindness means and why it is important.

Ways They Practice Kindness – Let your kids use writing prompts that help them 
discover ways they can practice more kindness, make lists of random acts of kindness, 
and make lists every day of anything they did or said that was nice for the other person.

How They Can Help People Who Are Not Kind – This is a difficult topic to approach 
for some kids, but teaching them why others might not seem as kind is really important. 
Let your kids explore the reasons why someone else’s attitude might be a little different, 
and really understanding the differences between people and their life experiences.


Making it Easier for Kids 

This also provides another opportunity for your kids to be creative and have fun with it. 
In their kindness journal, they might want to sketch out ideas for what they can do for 
other people, draw illustrations showing the kindness they showed, or draw images that 
makes them think of things that are sunny, happy, and nice to be around. 


Journal Prompts for the Kindness Journal

Journal prompts are a type of writing prompt, giving your kids a subject to write about. 
You can create ones specifically for spreading kindness. Think about what they might 
write about how to be kind, and this can tell you what prompts would be good for them 
to use in the kindness journal. Remember that prompts can be a question or statement 
they use to know what to write about. 

For example:

What is something kind you did today?
How did you help someone?
How did someone help you?
How do you feel when someone does something nice for you?
Who is the last person you smiled at?

Mindfulness for Kids

Mindfulness is so much more than a trend or buzzword. It is a way to live your life, 
where you focus on the present, give your full attention to whatever you are doing, and 
really start to slow down and appreciate each moment in your life. It is not just for 
adults. Kids can really benefit by incorporating more mindfulness into their life. It is an 
excellent practice to start at a young age.


Is Mindfulness Different for Kids?

Mindfulness doesn’t change in its definition for kids as compared to adults, but the 
benefits and teaching of it might be slightly different. For kids, they are just learning how 
what they focus on and think about is going to change their perspective. Even at a 
young age, kids can develop the skills to focus on the present, and not worry so much 
about either what has already happened, or what still hasn’t happened yet. 


Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness

Why should kids practice mindfulness? Here are some of the top benefits.

They will improve their focus and concentration. Mindfulness is the act of focusing 
on the present, so the more your kids can do this in their journal, the easier it becomes 
to do naturally without even thinking about it.

It teaches them to remain calm in stressful situations. Through mindfulness, your 
children will develop skills to remain calm, because they know it is just in this moment, 
and it will pass.

It lowers anxiety in kids and teens. Anxiety in general is often improved among 
anyone who practices mindfulness, including your kids and teens.

They often have more patience in times of anger. When your kids get angry, 
mindfulness can help them calm down and have more patience.

Mindfulness helps with gratitude. A big part of being mindful is showing gratitude and 
appreciation for the blessings of the current moment.


Tips to Help Your Kids Be More Mindful

You can also help your kids to become more mindful with very simple practices. This of 
course includes journaling, but other activities as well. In addition to journaling, you 
might try:

Sitting together to draw a picture of how you feel in this moment.
Showing your kids how to eat without distractions and focus on their meal.
Tell your kids to write about the last thing they were thinking about, anything that was on 
their mind. 

These are simple ways to learn how to be more mindful.


How to Get Kids Excited About Journaling

If you have kids who are able to write basic sentences, they are old enough to start 
writing in a journal. But are you concerned that they won’t be interested in it? It can be a 
new medium for kids who might have grown up using tech, but is so worth it. Here are 
some easy ways to get your kids excited for journaling.


Let Them Choose Their Own Materials

You want your kids to WANT to write in their journal? Let them choose what they use! 
This makes such a drastic difference in children’s attitude about journaling. It takes 
journaling from something they feel like they have to do, and makes it something they 
enjoy doing. 

This doesn’t just mean the journal itself, though that is a great place to start. It also 
includes any other supplies you decide to get for them. This might be different colored 
pens, colored pencils and crayons, stencils, stickers, and stamps. Bring your kids to the 
craft store to let them pick out their own supplies.


Use the Rewards System

In the beginning, your kids might not yet be super excited about journaling, but that’s ok! 
/you can give them a little extra encouragement by using some type of rewards system. 
This might be a chart in their room where you put a star for each day they use their 
journal, then give them rewards for a number of stars in a row, or you can increase their 
allowance for writing in their journal. The rewards don’t matter as much as the 
consistency.


Find Fun and Creative Writing Prompts

Writing prompts are optional, but they do help when your kids aren’t really sure what 
they should be writing about. Be sure to select writing prompts appropriate for your 
child’s age, as a prompt for a 12 year old isn’t going to be easy for a 6-year old to make 
sense of. You will find a wide range of them online, or you can create some of your own 
by tweaking the ones you find that others have written.


Set Up Their Writing Space

Try to have a designated area in your home where kids know they can go to for quiet, 
private journaling. This helps in a few different ways. First, it gives your kids a reason to 
use this space, where they start recognizing it as part of their journaling routine. It can 
also be a quiet space for your kids to pay attention to their journaling practice without 
distractions.


Top Journals for Kids

Are you looking for journals that kids will love to use? Here are some of our favorites!

Unicorn Journal and Sketchbook

This is a really fun journal for kids since it is themed with unicorns, is a great medium 
size, and offers a lot of space for different forms of journaling.

What makes this journal unique for kids is that there are both blank and lined pages, so 
your kids can write their journal entries on the lined pages, then use the blank pages for 
sketches and doodles. 

They will get over 100 sheets of paper in this fun journal. 

https://www.amazon.com/Unicorn-Journal-Sketchbook-Composition-
Sketching/dp/1099672775


The 3-Minute Gratitude Journal for Kids

If you want your kids to do more of gratitude journaling, this is an excellent option. It is 
more than just a blank journal, and offers different prompts and a way for your kids to 
practice mindfulness all in the same journal. Plus, it is advertised as only taking 3-5 
minutes a day, so it will be super easy for your kids to accomplish.

https://www.amazon.com/Minute-Gratitude-Journal-Kids-Mindfulness/dp/194820956X


A Fill-in Journal for Kids

Another great option for your kids is to get a fill-in-the-blank journal, similar to a 
workbook. It keeps you from having to give them a list of writing prompts to work with, 
and makes it easier for your kids to do their daily journaling. 

This not only provides prompts on each page or your kids to fill in, but there are a lot of 
fun illustrations to go along with the different questions and statements. They are very 
kid-friendly, like asking about animals and food.

https://www.amazon.com/Me-Compendium-Fill-Journal-Society/dp/0553459791


Dinosaur Era – Primary Story Journal for Kids

Your kids might also like the Dinosaur Era journal, which is a story of story journal with 
different writing exercises. This is geared toward younger kids between kindergarten 
and 2nd grade. Not many journals cater specifically towards the younger kids, so it’s a 
really good option. 

The Dinosaur Era journal incudes 100 pages total, with two areas on each page. There 
is a blank spot at top for doodling, and a lined space at the bottom for writing in the story 
or journal entry.

https://www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Era-Exercise-Composition-
Notebooks/dp/1718087381


One Question a Day for Kids

Lastly, your kids might like the One Question a Day journal. This also includes a variety 
of different writing prompts for kids, with just one question every day. This will keep their 
journaling practice short and sweet, but also help them benefit from journaling on a 
regular basis.

https://www.amazon.com/One-Question-Day-Kids-Three-Year/dp/1250166519









3. Journaling for Teens

Why Journaling is Good for Teens

There are many ways journaling can help someone, from finding clarity to expressing 
your emotions, but there are some unique advantages for pre-teens and teenagers. 
Here are some of the top benefits for teens who start using a journal on a daily basis.


It Improves Their Self-Esteem and Confidence

If there is one thing that most teens universally struggle with, it is their self-esteem. This 
sometimes start when they are younger, but typically starts around ages 12 or 13. 
Through journaling, they discover so much about themselves, including what might be 
causing the low self-esteem and ways to improve their confidence.

This is especially true with the use of positive thoughts, positive affirmations, and journal 
prompts about self-esteem and body confidence. If your teens struggle in this area, it is 
definitely worth looking into the right types of journal prompts.


Journaling Can Reduce Their Stress

Journaling has been known to reduce stress for people of all ages, including your 
teenagers. Through the act of writing out what you are thinking and how you are feeling, 
including what you might consider negative thoughts, it helps to get it out of your head. 
There is a type of freedom you feel when it is no longer consuming you. You might still 
think about it sometimes, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming and like it is taking up too 
much space in your head.


It Helps with Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be really powerful for your teenage kids, which is also a skill they can 
bring into adulthood. Mindfulness with journaling is really easy to do. Have your 
teenagers write about what they are currently thinking or feeling. Not what they were 
doing last week or earlier that day, and not what they plan to do tomorrow. Just focus on 
right now, this very moment as they are writing. This simple act gets them used to 
practicing mindfulness in such a basic way.


Self-Reflection for the Future

Among the many struggles of this age, is not knowing what you want to do with your life, 
and feeling pressured to make a decision. Self-reflection and seeking clarity is such an 
amazing benefit from journaling.

No matter what age your teens are, from 13 to 19, they are probably a little confused 
about their direction in life. What to study in college, whether they want to go to college, 
what type of job they want, where they want to live after they graduate, what will happen 
to their friendships and relationships, how life is going to change.

They can get the answers to all this and more just by using their journal.


How Journaling is Different for Teens Than Adults

While journaling itself has many of the same benefits for people of all different ages, 
there are some slight differences for teens, as opposed to adults. Here are some 
reasons it can be different for your teens, which might give you more insight into why it 
is so useful for them.


Being a Teenager Has Unique Challenges

You probably remember being a teenager. It is a really complicated, confusing time 
where hormones seem to run your life. With these unique challenges, it makes sense 
that journaling can be a little different during this time in your kids’ life.

 With these challenges, it sometimes feel like you don’t know where you fit in, or really 
who to talk to, aside from your friends. But there might be things you don’t want to tell 
your friends because you don’t know if they will understand. That is the beauty of writing 
in a journal, and being able to express any challenges you face to understand a little 
more about being a teenager.


Journaling Provides a Creative, Safe Outlet

Everyone wants to feel like their thoughts and feelings are private, but teenagers often 
don’t feel like they have this freedom. With journaling, they feel like they have one place 
that is all theirs, and this can nurture their creativity and open up so much in them that 
they didn’t realize they possess.

Just writing in a journal is a creative process, whether doing stream of consciousness 
style where you write whatever comes to mind, you use writing prompts to answer your 
questions, or you are dealing with something you just want to write about. 


Self-Expression is Vital for Teenagers

Journaling is also an amazing way for teenagers to express themselves, which is often 
even more important at this age, than with adults. Whether you are a teenager yourself, 
or a parent of a teenager, you should understand how important self-expression and 
being unique at this age truly is. 

With a complicated phase of life such as this, it’s hard to really understand who you are, 
but once you do, you may not know how to express it. Or maybe you have teenagers 
who seem to be struggling with this very thing. The journal helps them in a way that you 
might not remember much from when you were this same age. 

Giving your teens a way to write out their feelings is therapeutic, simple to do, and gives 
them a little time away from the computer.


Teens Find Self-Discovery and Life Goals in Their Journal

For teens, the advantages of writing in a journal range from allowing them to express 
their emotions and thoughts in a non-judgmental way, to helping them figure out who 
they are. The self-discovery benefits are so crucial for teens who are trying to figure out 
what to do with their life. 


Journaling Helps to Identify Where Teens are Falling Behind

A unique benefit that teens can get from their journal is that they understand where they 
might be lacking. Not mistakes they are making, but just identifying their role in society, 
and really helping to create goals based on their priorities for their life.

Going beyond this important discovery, teenagers can also figure out what resolutions 
there are for any troubles they face, or any choices they might want to rectify.


Goal Setting Starts with Honesty 

With setting goals, the start to it is being honest with yourself and really figuring out 
what you actually want. Not what your friends are doing or what your parents expect, 
but what the teenager themselves want out of life.

If you have teens who you want to start writing in a journal, have them start with stream 
of consciousness style of writing. This is where they just write about whatever is on their 
mind, switching topics as much as they want. The point is to do a brain dump, letting 
everything out onto paper, and being as open and honest with themselves as they can 
be.


Journaling Can Become a Therapeutic Experience for Teens

It is not a mystery that journaling is therapeutic for most people, but teens have really 
found this to be something they can’t get elsewhere. Your teens might not be ready to 
talk to a counselor, therapist, or other trained mental health professional if they are 
struggling with anxiety, stress, or other issues. But they are probably comfortable writing 
about it in their journal. Give them this private space, and you will see how much they 
begin to thrive.


Teens Have the Opportunity to Find Their Passions at a Young Age

Finding your passions is so difficult, even as adults who haven’t found them yet. It is a 
blessing for teens to have this opportunity. Journaling when you can really be open with 
yourself, has amazing powers. Even when you least expect it. Your teenagers might 
find that just by writing how they feel or doing stream of consciousness in their journal, 
they suddenly have a lightbulb moment about what they want to do.


Anxiety in Teens and How Journaling Can Help

While many people talk about anxiety for adults, teenagers and young adults are often 
overlooked. Teenagers are going through a lot of changes at the same time, and 
anxiety can run rampant without even realizing what it is. It is essential that teens get 
the same support and help for their anxiety as other adults, which journaling can help a 
lot with.


A Rise in Anxiety Among Teenagers and Young Adults

It is no surprise that teenagers are struggling more with anxiety these days. The 
National Institutes of Health reported that approximately 1 in 3 teens are dealing with 
anxiety. There has been speculation about many causes of the rise in anxiety among 
teenagers and adolescents. Social media and the over-consumption of technology 
comes up quite often, as well as just the state of affairs teenagers are dealing with 
these days.


Journal to the Rescue? 

There are a wide range of ways to deal with anxiety, not just for teens but people of all 
ages. From therapy to medications, just about every option is available. But if you are 
looking for a small place to start, journaling is a great option. 

When it comes to anxiety, no one size fits all. Different people find different remedies to 
help them the best, though most use multiple anxiety-relief strategies. Journaling is 
something many anxiety sufferers have benefited from. 

It can help give them a place to release the burden, to identify what is causing their 
anxiety, and to use for various therapy methods. 


Start With What’s Really Going on

A good way for teens to use journaling for their anxiety is to begin just writing how they 
feel and what’s going on. This includes anything causing these emotions, what panic 
attacks are like, and trying to identify what is triggering the anxious thoughts.

Allow your teens to just write it all out, as much and as often as they need to. 
Encourage them to write how they are feeling and what they are thinking when they 
have a lot of anxiety or stress, including after a panic attack is over. This is going to help 
tremendously to identify anxiety triggers.


Reframe Your Thoughts

The next part of journaling for anxiety is for teens to start reframing any anxious or 
negative thoughts they might have. While they do not need to turn every negative 
thought into a positive one, it helps to see what is causing their anxiety, then try to 
reason with themselves. What is the worst that could happen? Are their fears planted in 
reality, or just their own minds turning it into something far worse?


Top Journals for Teens

Teens can definitely use any notebook or journal they want, but there are also some 
that tend to be more encouraging for them to use. From practicing mindfulness to using 
prompts, these journals are some of the top-rated for your teenagers.


The Mindfulness Journal for Teens

This journal provides a really easy way to combine journaling and mindfulness in one 
book. It is ideal for teenagers, with different practices and writing prompts specifically 
geared toward your kids in their teen years. There are a variety of tools right in the 
journal, including meditations and breathing exercises, tons of journal prompts, and 
plenty of space to write directly in the journal. 

You can have your teens use this just a few minute a day, and they will not only 
understand the benefits of using a journal, but mindfulness as well. 

https://www.amazon.com/Mindfulness-Journal-Teens-Prompts-
Practices/dp/1646112830


Wreck This Journal

Wreck This Journal is not a new journal by any means, but it was recently updated in 
color format. This is not like a typical journal where it is meant for just text and writing 
down thoughts, though your teens can definitely use it for that. 

Instead, this is about having your kids express themselves creatively. Each page has a 
prompt of what they are meant to do, a way to alter the pages of the journal to create 
something completely unique to them. It is a wonderful form of self-expression and 
creativity, from adding pictures to the pages, to painting it and even dropping pages in 
water. 

https://www.amazon.com/Wreck-This-Journal-Now-Color/dp/014313166


Put Your Worries Here

If you are looking for more of a traditional style journal, but one that also works as a 
guided journal with writing prompts, the Put Your Worries Here journal is amazing. This 
is also made for teenagers and young adults, particularly those struggling with stress 
and anxiety. 

There are journal prompts to cover all different areas that teenagers tend to struggle 
with, like friendships and relationships, peer pressure, self-esteem, stress at home, 
stress at school, making life choices, and so much more.

https://www.amazon.com/Put-Your-Worries-Here-Creative/dp/1684032148


Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration

The last journal on our last is not just for teens, but people of all ages who want to use 
their journal for gaining more clarity and understanding themselves more often. The 
Start Where You Are journal is one of the top rated journals for a reason. It is 
interactive, fun to use, includes many exercises, and helps your teen write out their 
feelings, thoughts, goals, and a lot more.


https://www.amazon.com/Start-Where-You-Are-Self-Exploration/dp/1635614716


