Journaling guides
Short, sourced guides on digital journaling, mood tracking and building the habit. Each one opens with a one paragraph answer; if you are in a hurry, start there.
8 min read
The best way to keep a journal online: four methods, one decision
Journaling website, notes app, journal app or a one-tap mood journal? We compare the four ways to keep a digital journal on privacy, time and staying power.
ReadWinter blues or seasonal depression?
Winter blues or seasonal depression? How SAD differs from a normal winter dip, the symptoms the NHS and NIMH list, what helps, and when to see a doctor.
9 min read
ReadHow to start journaling
How to start journaling and what to write: the basic rules of a journal, seven steps for beginners, short and long journal entry examples and how not to quit.
8 min read
Read60 journal prompts
60 journal prompts sorted by purpose: end of day, self-discovery, hard days, gratitude, goals and one line prompts for tired days. Copy one and start writing.
8 min read
ReadHow to keep a gratitude journal
What a gratitude journal is, how to keep one and whether it works: what the research found, the three good things method, example entries and mistakes to avoid.
7 min read
ReadJournaling for stress relief
How to relieve stress by writing: worry time, a to-do list before bed, naming the feeling and the NHS's stress tips. A sourced, practical and honest guide.
8 min read
ReadHow to stop overthinking
What overthinking is and how to stop it, including at night: worry time, a to-do list before bed, naming the feeling and checking the thought. Sourced methods.
8 min read
ReadHow to keep a mood journal
What a mood journal is, why it helps and how to keep one: a step by step method, a copyable template, how to read your patterns and the mistakes to avoid.
8 min read
ReadYear in Pixels: what it is and how to start
What Year in Pixels is, where it came from and how to do it: a step by step paper setup, picking colors, reading your year and paper versus an app.
8 min read
ReadBenefits of journaling
Does journaling help? A summary of the research on naming feelings, spotting patterns and expressive writing, with the real effect sizes and their limits.
9 min read
ReadHow to choose a journal app
Looking for a secure, private journal app? Check these 10 points first: where data lives, account requirements, app lock, backups, ads, analytics and deletion.
9 min read
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How these guides are written
The guides are written by thecodevolt, the team that builds Pixmood. The rules we follow in every guide:
- Research claims rely only on primary, peer reviewed publications or official health sources such as the UK's National Health Service (NHS). Every guide ends with its list of sources.
- If an effect is small, we say it is small. Where the evidence for a method is limited, we say that too.
- Every sentence about Pixmood is checked against the app itself, and every Pixmood section also states the app's limits. We do not criticize competing apps by name.
- The guides are for information only and do not replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Guides that touch on mental health say when to seek professional support.
- If you spot a mistake, write to info@thecodevolt.com. A corrected guide shows a new updated date.