Journal For Morning Routines - Creating a Morning Routine That Actually Works

https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-morning-routines

Have you ever noticed how the first hour of your day sets the tone for everything that follows? We've been diving deep into morning routines, and our research revealed something surprisingly powerful: the humble journal might be the most underrated tool for transforming those crucial early hours.

Morning journaling isn't just about recording thoughts—it's a strategic approach to gaining mental clarity before external demands take over. When you dedicate even five minutes to writing down priorities, practicing gratitude, or setting intentions, you're essentially programming your mind for improved focus throughout the day. This simple act creates a buffer between sleep and the day's responsibilities, allowing you to approach challenges with intention rather than reaction.

The physical qualities of your journal matter more than you might think. We explored how features like high-quality paper, thoughtful organization systems, and durable construction can make the difference between a fleeting attempt and a sustainable habit. When writing feels good and finding past entries is effortless, you're much more likely to maintain the practice. These seemingly small details contribute significantly to building a morning routine that sticks.

What could you accomplish if you transformed those scattered morning moments into a deliberate ritual? Try this approach tomorrow: spend just five minutes writing down your three most important tasks for the day. Our listeners report this simple practice brings remarkable clarity and reduces overwhelm. Share your experience with us, and let us know what small morning habit has made the biggest difference in your life.

Other Episodes

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16893398-journal-for-self-reflection-how-taking-time-to-self-reflection-can-transform-your-emotional-balance
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16893402-journal-for-daily-affirmations-how-written-daily-affirmations-change-your-brain
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16893407-journal-for-students-how-students-turn-a-journal-into-a-secret-academic-weapon
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16893409-journal-for-organization-how-journal-transform-organization

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, welcome back everyone.
You know why you're here rightthere.
We all want to cut through allthat noise and get to.
You know what really matters.
That's what we're all abouthere those shortcuts to
understanding stuff.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
And today we're going deep, really deep, into
something that kind of sets thetone for like everything else,
morning routines you knowdifferent ways to make those
first few hours really count,and we've been focusing on how
using a journal like a physicalnotebook can be a surprisingly

(00:30):
good strategy.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
Yeah, totally, and that's exactly what we're diving
into today.
How do you use a journal tomake your mornings Well, awesome
?
The goal is for you to walkaway with a solid grasp of like
why it works and how to do it,but without feeling like you
just sat through a boringlecture that day.
And we've noticed that sometools like listallion journals,
you know, with their smartdesign, they really seem to fit
this whole thing.

Speaker 2 (00:52):
Okay, so first things first.
Why is it so important how westart our day?

Speaker 1 (00:57):
anyway, so everything we've looked at points to this
like chain reaction.
When you start your day with apurpose, a positive mindset, it
seems to affect your focus andhow you feel all day long, and
the research suggests thatjournaling can really help
create that clarity and make youmore productive, like in a real
way.

Speaker 2 (01:16):
And it's not just about getting more things done
right.
The stuff we've been readingalso talks about the bigger
picture of how it affects ourwell-being.
A good morning routine, helpedalong by journalingaling, can
actually make us mentallyhealthier and help us grow as
people.
It's about consciously choosinghow you want your day to go and
being proactive right from thestart.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
Think about it those mornings when you just jump
right into everything, answeringemails, check notifications,
before you've even had a secondto like breathe.
It's easy to feel scattered andoverwhelmed, and that's where
journ to like breathe.
It's easy to feel scattered andoverwhelmed, and that's where
journaling comes in.
It's like an anchor giving youa dedicated space to kind of
regain control.

Speaker 2 (01:52):
What's interesting is that a journal, just a simple
notebook, gives you thisstructured but also calm space
to sort through all the thoughtsthat might be bouncing around
in your head.
Instead of letting outsidepressures control your focus,
you have a place to organizeyour own thoughts.
It's a way to clean up thatmental clutter and reduce that
feeling of being overloaded,which I think a lot of people

(02:14):
struggle with.
Even you've mentioned it.

Speaker 1 (02:15):
Oh, yeah, for sure.
And speaking of tools that aremade for this kind of
intentional morning routineLestallion journals, they really
stand out.
They're not just some randompages bound together.
They have all these featuresthat seem perfect for making a
routine that sticks and actuallyworks.
We've talked about them beforein other deep dives and they're
always coming up as a popularchoice.

Speaker 2 (02:36):
Right.
Take their 211 pages, forexample.
They're thick, you know, 120GSM ivory paper.
That's a small detail but itshows you they care about the
quality of the writingexperience.
That heavy paper keeps ink frombleeding through, which is
great.
If you use different pens orlike to, you know, draw or add
little visuals in your journal,and that ivory color, it's

(02:57):
easier on the eyes, especiallyin the morning when you're just
waking up.

Speaker 1 (03:01):
And that soft faux leather cover.
It's not just about lookinggood, though it definitely does.
It's also really durable, whichis important for something you
use every day.
You can handle being tossed inyour bag, you know, every day,
wear and tear Makes it areliable part of your routine.

Speaker 2 (03:16):
And I think the built-in table of contents is
super helpful.
It might seem basic, but ithelps keep things organized,
especially if you're using yourDremel to track specific things
like goals or reflections.
Over time, you can quickly findold entries, which helps you
see the bigger picture of yourthoughts and how you've
progressed.

Speaker 1 (03:32):
Exactly.
No more flipping through pagesforever trying to find something
specific.
And those 7.5 millimeter wideline pages, they strike a good
balance.
You have space to write, but italso encourages you to be
concise, which can be helpfulfor people who want to capture
everything but don't want tofeel pressured to fill every
inch of space.
Plus, they have dotted anddashed line versions too, you

(03:55):
know, for different styles.
So visual thinkers, list makerseveryone can find what works
for them.

Speaker 2 (04:00):
Okay, so we've talked about how having a dedicated
journal with like thoughtfulfeatures can be helpful, but
let's get into the specifics ofwhy daily morning journaling is
such a good habit.

Speaker 1 (04:10):
Yeah, it's more than just random thoughts.
Right, it's presented as aconscious act of mindfulness.
The sources say making a habitof writing things down every day
can make you way moreproductive because it forces you
to decide what you want toachieve that day and it helps
you become more self-awarebecause you're constantly
engaging with your thoughts andemotions on paper.
It also brings emotionalclarity because you have this

(04:32):
safe, private space to processwhatever you're feeling inside.

Speaker 2 (04:36):
And it's a really powerful way to set goals
intentionally.
By writing down your objectivesin the morning, you're
basically making them moreimportant in your mind and
you're more likely to stayfocused on them throughout the
day.
The research also talks aboutthe importance of gratitude.
Starting your day by thinkingabout things you're thankful for
can actually change your wholeoutlook.

Speaker 1 (04:57):
Yeah, and it also emphasizes self-reflection.
Taking that time to think aboutyour priorities and essentially
create a plan for your day canbe hugely impactful, and for
people who struggle withprocrastination, morning
journaling can be a way to likeground yourself and stay focused
on those action oriented habitsyou want to build, who used to

(05:17):
feel totally lost in themornings.

Speaker 2 (05:19):
They knew they had stuff to do, but they didn't
have any real direction.
They started doing this simplething spending five minutes each
morning in their journal justlisting the three most important
things they wanted to get donethat day.
It sounds almost too easy, butthey said it made a huge
difference in their focus andproductivity.
Just writing down theirpriorities gave them clarity and

(05:40):
reduced that feeling of beingoverwhelmed by a million tasks
and by the end of the day theyfelt a greater sense of
accomplishment.

Speaker 1 (05:46):
That's a perfect example of how a short, focused
journaling session can have abig impact, and it really shows
how a journal can affect ourmental and emotional well-being.

Speaker 2 (05:55):
Exactly Writing down positive affirmations or even
just listing things you'regrateful for can help you start
your day with a more positivemindset.
And going back to thoselistalian journals, the quality
of the paper actually plays arole here, even if it seems
small.
When writing feels good, itmakes the whole process more
enjoyable and you're more likelyto keep doing it.

Speaker 1 (06:15):
It's often those little details that make the
biggest difference in forminglong-lasting habits, right?
So what are some practical waysto make morning journaling
effective and, you know,something you'll actually stick
with?

Speaker 2 (06:29):
Well, the research suggests starting small, like
five to ten minutes each morning.
That way it doesn't feel like achore and it's easier to fit
into your routine, which helpsyou stay consistent.
Using prompts, especially whenyou're first starting out or if
you're feeling stuck, can bereally helpful too.
You know, places like theListallion blog often have good
journaling prompts to get youstarted.

Speaker 1 (06:50):
Having those prompts ready to go can definitely make
it easier to start.
The research also recommendsfinding a dedicated space for
your journaling.
Creating a little ritual, evenif it's just sitting in your
favorite chair with a cup ofcoffee, can help reinforce the
habit.

Speaker 2 (07:04):
And it's important to take time to reflect regularly.
Those numbered pages inLestallion journals are really
useful for that.
You can easily go back to oldentries and see how your
thoughts and insights havechanged over time and finally,
be open to trying differentthings and find the journaling
format that works best for you,whether that's free writing,
structured lists or something inbetween.

(07:24):
Lestellian journals havedifferent page layouts, like
dotted and dashed lines, whichgives you the flexibility to
experiment.

Speaker 1 (07:32):
So, if we sum up all the benefits of having a morning
journaling routine, what arethe main positive outcomes we
can expect?

Speaker 2 (07:38):
The research points to a few major benefits.
First, there's that increasedclarity and focus.
We talked about being able toclear your mind and prioritize
effectively.
That naturally leads to betteremotional regulation because you
have a healthy way to processyour feelings.
Increased productivity isanother direct result of setting
intentions and staying focusedand it's interesting, a lot of

(07:58):
people find that it can evenboost their creativity because
it gives them space for newideas to come up in those quiet
morning hours.
And it's interesting, a lot ofpeople find that it can even
boost their creativity becauseit gives them space for new
ideas to come up in those quietmorning hours.
And features like the built-intable of contents and that back
pocket in the stallion journalswhere you can keep notes or
inspiring things can furthersupport those benefits by
keeping you organized and makingit easy to find important
information.

Speaker 1 (08:18):
You know that reminds me of a close friend who used
to hate mornings.
They felt so much pressure fromall the things they had to do
and it would often make themfeel stuck.
They started using a Lestallionjournal and just the act of
writing down their to-do listeach morning and breaking it
down into smaller steps made ahuge difference.
They said that seeingeverything on paper made it feel
less overwhelming and moremanageable.

(08:38):
Plus, they really liked how thesoft cover and the nice paper
felt.
It made journaling feel like alittle treat, which encouraged
them to stick with it.

Speaker 2 (08:50):
That's a great example of how the physical
qualities of a well-made journalcan actually help you build a
positive habit that you'll keepdoing.
So just to recap why a journallike the Listallion seems so
good for morning routines, wehave that durable faux leather
cover for long-term use and thattouch of elegance the
high-quality 120 GSM ivory paperfor a smooth writing experience
, the ample space provided bythe 211 numbered pages and the

(09:13):
overall compact and stylishdesign that makes it easy to
carry around.

Speaker 1 (09:17):
And let's talk a little more about the
psychological benefits,particularly when it comes to
mentor clarity.
What are the main cognitivebenefits of regular morning
journaling?

Speaker 2 (09:26):
Like we've discussed it, can improve mental health by
giving you a structured way todeal with stress and anxiety.
That improved focus we talkedabout comes from intentionally
tuning out distractions andsetting your priorities for the
day.
Tracking your goals in yourjournal makes you more
accountable, and consistentlypracticing gratitude through
writing can lead to a settingyour priorities for the day.
Tracking your goals in yourjournal makes you more
accountable, and consistentlypracticing gratitude through
writing can lead to a morepositive mindset overall.

(09:49):
And again, things like numberedpages for reviewing past
reflections and even having aback pocket for inspirational
reminders can help keep thatpositive momentum going.

Speaker 1 (09:59):
So for someone who's thinking about adding journaling
to their morning routine, whatare the most important features
they should look for in ajournal based on what we've
talked about?

Speaker 2 (10:07):
Based on everything we've learned, I'd say thick,
high-quality paper is superimportant for a good writing
experience.
Numbered pages and a table ofcontents are essential for
organization and makingreflection easier.
A compact size makes it easy tohandle and take with you.
A durable and well-designedcover adds to the experience and
helps the journal last longer.
And finally, having differentpage layouts, like dotted or

(10:31):
dashed lines, gives you theflexibility to find what suits
your journaling style.
It's interesting how theLestallion journals seem to have
all of these key features.

Speaker 1 (10:40):
Alright, so let's say someone's convinced and ready
to start.
What are some concrete stepsthey can take to create their
own morning journaling routine?

Speaker 2 (10:47):
The first step, as we've learned from the research,
is to choose the right journal,and a notebook like the
Listallion with all itsthoughtful features seems like a
great option.
After that, it's helpful to seta clear intention for what you
want to get out of journaling.
Start simple, maybe try usingsome of those journaling prompts
we talked about.
The most important thing is tobe consistent, even if it's just

(11:08):
for a few minutes each day, and, lastly, make it a point to
regularly look back at your oldentries, using those numbered
pages, to track your progressand see what insights you've
gained.

Speaker 1 (11:19):
So, to wrap things up , it really seems like a journal
, especially one that's designedwith a purpose and has useful
features like the ones we see inlistallion.
Journals can be a surprisinglypowerful way to transform those
crucial morning hours.

Speaker 2 (11:32):
Absolutely.
It's about consciously shavingthe start of your day in a way
that sets a positive tone notjust for your productivity, but
also for your overall well-beingand feeling of control.

Speaker 1 (11:42):
And that brings us to our final thought for today.
Think about how much of animpact it could have to
intentionally structure evenjust those first few minutes of
your day.
How could making this small,consistent commitment change not
only your mornings but also theentire flow of your day, and
maybe even more than that.
What's one small thing youcould do in your morning routine
that could have the biggestpositive impact on your life?