Journaling or Journalling?

TLDR: It's usually journaling with one 'l', unless you're in the Commonwealth

Tired of second-guessing yourself on whether to spell journaling with one 'l' or two?

You're not alone.

This thousands-year-old practice that nearly half of US adults undertake has a spelling quirk that trips up many - myself included.

It turns out there's a mostly-correct answer, and a longer, "it's complicated" one too.

The Basics

Technically, they're both right.

With that said, "journaling" - with one 'l' - is the standard spelling you'll want to use most of the time.

It's the most common form worldwide and the one you'll find in major dictionaries. If you're writing for a global audience, stick with "journaling."

So why does 'journalling' exist?

God Save the King

Basically, 'journalling' is a British English variant.

You'll spot it in UK publications or from writers in certain Commonwealth countries like Canada. It's a general British English rule to double a consonant before adding -ing to short vowel words. You can see the same thing with travel, becoming 'travelling'.

Which one should you use?

Unless you're writing for a Commonwealth audience or a publication that specifically prefers "journalling," stick with "journaling."

It's widely accepted and understood everywhere. Plus, it's the spelling you're most likely to see in books, articles, and apps about the practice.

The Bottom Line

"Journaling" - with one 'l' - is the go-to spelling. It's correct, common, and won't raise any eyebrows.

That said, if you use "journalling," don't panic – it's not wrong, just less commonly used.

The most important thing isn't how you spell it, but that you're doing it.

Whether you're journaling or journalling, you're practicing a powerful habit that will make you a better human.

So stop reading random blog posts, and start writing.

Your thoughts don't care about spelling – they just want to be expressed.

-- N.L.