I have been a daily journaler for years.

Starting a New Daily Writing Habit for #100dayproject has been a bit of a struggle. Today I had an a-ha moment. I need to apply the same principles that make journaling part of my daily routine to writing online.

You can try these lessons as well.

1. Write at the same time. I journal in the evening. It is part of my routine. I need to make online writing part of a different routine. Give it the time needed and associate it with a time of day.
2. Write in the same place. 98% of the time I journal sitting at my desk that is devoid of distractions. I need to create something similar online where other browser tabs and notifications are not vying for my attention.
3. Use your favorite tools. My journaling is done in a dot-grid notebook with my favorite Kaweco fountain pen. For #100dayproject, I have been writing digitally instead.
4. Use a familiar format to build fluency. My journal entries follow a similar pattern each day. It provides less friction for my writing. I sit down and I journal until I am done. I seek to discover a similar format and ease for writing online. #Ship30for30 talks of prepping the page before writing. Similar to the sentence or paragraph frames, I provide my students. I need to do that for myself.

If I want to build a consistent online writing habit I need to apply the lessons learned from journaling. I need to write at the same time and place. I need to discover and use my favorite tools and use a familiar format to build fluency.