Summer is the perfect time to pause, reset, and reconnect with yourself. After months of pouring energy into students, colleagues, and school demands, you deserve a chance to listen inward and recharge intentionally. One of the most accessible, powerful tools for that reconnection is journaling.
Good news: You don’t need to be a writer to benefit from this practice. Journaling is not about perfection or grammar—it’s about presence. Through daily or even weekly reflection, you’ll gain insights, process the past school year, and make space for the version of yourself you’re becoming.
Here are five simple ways to begin a summer journal practice that helps you reset and renew:
Step 1: Write Morning Reflections or Gratitude Lists.
Start your day grounded in awareness.
Now, a lot of people tend to wake up and immediately jump into tasks—especially teachers, who are trained to be productive from the moment they open their eyes. Usually, you can avoid burnout by beginning the day in stillness and reflection.
For example, I’ve made it a habit to write three things I’m grateful for each morning—before I even check my phone. Some days it’s big things, like health or family. Other days, it’s the sound of birds outside my window. This small ritual shifts my mindset from urgency to appreciation.
Step 2: Use Prompts Focused on Wins and Challenges from the School Year.
Honor your experiences—both the highs and the lows.
Now, a lot of people tend to downplay their accomplishments or bury their difficult moments. Teachers are especially guilty of moving from one school year to the next without pause. Usually, you can avoid repeating old patterns by taking time to reflect with honesty.
For example, I like to write a “Top 5 Wins” list for the school year—things that went well, moments that made me proud. Then I journal about three areas that challenged me and what I learned from each. This process helps me release what no longer serves me and carry forward what does.
Step 3: Try Creative Journaling (Doodles, Collages, Mixed Media).
Express your inner world in ways beyond words.
Now, a lot of people tend to think journaling has to be paragraphs of text. Teachers, trained in structure and standards, may feel pressure to write “correctly.” Usually, you can avoid that by giving yourself permission to be playful and messy.
For example, I keep a “creative corner” in my journal with space for doodles, quotes, magazine clippings, and color. Sometimes I draw how I’m feeling instead of writing about it. These pages become a vibrant reflection of my emotional landscape—and a powerful reminder that self-expression doesn’t need rules.
Step 4: Set a Timer for 10-Minute Freewriting Each Day.
Let your thoughts flow without judgment.
Now, a lot of people tend to overthink their writing. Teachers especially may edit as they go, trying to sound polished or productive. Usually, you can avoid that mental block by setting a timer and allowing stream-of-consciousness writing to take the lead.
For example, I do a 10-minute brain dump every evening during the summer. I write whatever comes to mind without stopping—worries, hopes, random thoughts. This practice clears mental clutter and often reveals hidden truths I wasn’t consciously aware of.
Step 5: Use a Themed Journal like “Reset & Recharge 2025.”
Anchor your reflections in a purpose.
Now, a lot of people tend to journal sporadically without structure, which can lead to discouragement. Teachers, who thrive on intentional planning, often benefit from using a themed or guided journal. Usually, you can avoid losing momentum by naming your journal’s purpose.
For example, I titled my summer journal “Reset & Recharge 2025.” The name alone reminds me why I’m writing—to heal, to grow, and to enter the next season with clarity and calm. Whether you use a purchased guided journal or create your own theme, anchoring your journaling practice gives it power.
I hope that you enjoyed reading this blog post, written especially for you. It was taken straight from my mind and heart as I felt vulnerable to share glimpses of my world with you. The article was polished and meticulously reviewed to make sure it was in the best possible light before it was published so that it may serve you well.
If you’re seeking additional resources or personalized support, feel free to reach out at www.insightfuleducation.org. Together, we can cultivate classrooms where you and your students feel empowered to learn and thrive, which is aligned with the NICE Teacher framework (Nurturing, Integrated, Courageous, and Encouraging).