Why I Stopped Journaling and Started UnJournaling Instead

Busy925
Aug 25
3 min read

For years, journaling was my safe place. Page after page, I poured out my thoughts, dreams, and frustrations. It gave me comfort, but over time I realized something was missing: progress. My notebooks were full, but my life still felt stuck. I was reflecting, but not moving forward.

That’s when I decided to do something different. I created what I now call UnJournaling: a process that doesn’t just help you think about your life but helps you take action on it. In this post, I’ll share why I stopped traditional journaling, what makes UnJournaling different, and how you can start making real changes with just 15 minutes a day.

The Problem With Traditional Journaling

Don’t get me wrong, I still love journaling. But here’s the truth: traditional journaling often stops at reflection. You write about what happened, how you feel, or what you hope for but the page doesn’t push you to do anything with it.

For example, I would write entries like:

“I’m tired of feeling stuck in my career.”“I wish I had more time for myself.”

Yet months later, those same sentences appeared in my journals. My words hadn’t turned into change.

And I know I’m not alone. Many women I coach tell me they journal daily, but still feel:

Stuck in the same routines.
Overwhelmed by the same emotions.
Unsure of how to turn reflection into results.

That’s when I knew journaling alone wasn’t enough. Something had to change.

The Birth of UnJournaling

I asked myself: What would journaling look like if it pushed me toward action?

That’s where UnJournaling began.

Instead of only writing about my day, I created prompts that forced me to reflect and respond with action. Each page asks me to:

Identify the emotion or challenge.
Name one thing I can do about it.
Commit to taking that step within the next 24 hours.

For example:

Old journaling: “I feel drained from work.”
UnJournaling: “What can I remove from my plate this week?” → Delegate one task.

This one shift from writing about life to writing myself into action changed everything.

Why UnJournaling Works

UnJournaling is different from traditional journaling because it combines self-reflection with accountability. Here’s why it works:

Clarity – It forces you to name the real issue, not just circle around it.
Action – Every entry ends with a step you can take today, no matter how small.
Consistency – With just 15 minutes a day, it builds momentum without overwhelming you.
Progress Tracking – Looking back, you don’t just see emotions—you see growth.

A Story From My Journey

One of the first times I tried UnJournaling, I wrote:

“I’m frustrated that I never make time for exercise.” Prompt: What’s one thing I can do today to change that? Answer: Walk for 10 minutes after dinner.

That night, I did it. And the next day, I did it again. Soon, the 10 minutes turned into 20. What I couldn’t do in years of journaling, I started doing in a week with UnJournaling, because I wasn’t just reflecting, I was committing.

How You Can Start Today

The beauty of UnJournaling is that it doesn’t take hours or fancy tools. All you need is a notebook and 15 minutes. Start by asking yourself:

What am I feeling right now?
What do I need most today?
What one action can I take to move forward?

Then, do that one thing. Small, consistent steps add up to transformation.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re tired of journaling without results, it’s time to try UnJournaling. To help you get started, I’ve created a free guide:

👉 Download The UnJournal Warm-Up: 7 Days of Clarity + Action

This 7-day quick-start guide will walk you through simple prompts designed to help you reset, refocus, and finally start moving forward. Because reflection is good, but action is better.

Click here to get your free guide and start your transformation today.

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