I personally have some trouble trusting apps with such personal information about myself. It's one thing to put in your email and phone number, or even credit card, but it's entirely different to put in all of your most private thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

You never know what the apps company does with this information. I can understand the positives and benefits of journaling with an app, especially if they can sort of analyze the journal entries and show you information such as things that trigger you or things that cause you stress, or other insightful things, but even with this, I still could not feel comfortable with it.

Journaling for me is probably the most private thing I can do, it's the most private time of my life that I do not share with anyone, nor do I want to. So having all of the things I write, on my phone, in an app, on the internet, is just not something I would even consider. Even if it's not on the internet, the fact that it is on a phone, or digital device that is hackable, is just not something I would be comfortable with.

1. Don't judge yourself, your journal is for you, not for others.
2. Don't try to make it perfect, allow yourself to make mistakes in spelling and grammar.
3. Don't copy other people's writing styles. Write in your own way, however it comes out.
4. Don't force yourself to write, not every day and not a certain amount of words/pages.
5. Don't let journaling take over your life or become an obsession.
6. Find a spot you feel comfortable in, and that you won't be interrupted.
7. Use a pen and notebook that you enjoy using.
8. Don't just write down things that happened, reflect on them, analyze them, try to understand them.
9. Make journaling a habit by doing it at a scheduled day and time, but don't be too strict.
10. Journal with an open mind, allow your thoughts to flow, and explore even the silliest ideas.