*This was originally a guest post I wrote for The Artsy Cajun. You can find the original post here.

I have always loved journals. Growing up I bought journal after journal and almost never filled them up. As I got older, I started writing in them more and would make myself fill one completely up before I would buy a new one. I would write about my experiences and how I was feeling at times. I would record fun events and even text messages that made my day. Sometime I would write down my prayers and I certainly kept lists of people to pray for.

Lately though, I haven’t kept a personal journal. I have a spiritual journal where I record prayer requests and take notes at church, and I have a blog. BUT I got a new journal in my Winter Carabox and I love it! I have been journaling my thoughts, prayers, and… blog posts?

Yes I have been writing blog posts in my journal. And I don’t mean just ideas for blog posts, I mean full posts that I will pretty much type into blogger word-for-word later. Let me just tell you, I think I have unlocked a huge blogging secret!

When I am blogging on my computer, I am connected to the internet so I get distracted. I sit down to blog, but I check my email first. Then I head on over to Bloglovin’ just to see if anyone has posted anything new. By the time I have answered my emails and caught up on my reading, I don’t have much time to blog. On top of that, once I start writing, I feel the need to check all my social media every time there is a pause in my typing. Does anyone else have this problem?

So I’ve started writing first drafts of blog posts in my journal. No distractions. Just pen and paper. And I can do it anywhere! On a plane, train, or automobile. By the pool (when it gets warmer, of course). Laying in bed when I can’t sleep. The options are unlimited!

I have been so much more productive since discovering this secret and I just had to share it in case anyone else could benefit from it.

What are some tips you guys have found help with staying focused while writing/blogging?
Thanks for reading!