Other Journals Are Cute. This One is Effective.

The Journal That Actually F*cking Works.

Become the kind of person who journals not because you have to, but because you genuinely want to.

I’ll help you turn your journaling from a dreaded habit into a joyful ritual.

I created a gentle, totally doable fourteen-day companion challenge for us to tackle together. Get daily prompts, science-backed techniques, and gentle accountability straight from me, so you can finally build a journaling ritual that sticks.

(You’ll also get my self-care newsletter, because I’m not letting you do this alone.)

A science-backed, guided journal that f*cking works.

Hundreds of studies show that putting pen to paper changes how your brain works.We’re talking lower cortisol (stress hormone), calmer amygdala (fear center), and increased activity in the parts of your brain that regulate emotion and memory.

The techniques in This Journal F*cking Works pull from:

  • Cognitive and positive psychology

  • Expressive writing research

  • Neuroscience on emotional regulation

  • Ritual design and habit formation

Research says creating and maintaining a journaling ritual is MUCH easier and more meaningful when you’re surrounded by others who understand the power of showing up for yourself. I’m here to cheer you on and support you!

Translation:

You feel less anxious, sleep better, and start acting like a person who has their sh*t together.

9% reduction in anxiety

Better

sleep

Better

relationships

Better

focus

You don’t have to do this alone.

If you’ve ever wanted to journal but couldn’t get past the blank page, I got you.

Join my free 14-Day Journaling Challenge, inspired by This Journal F*cking Works, and discover how good it feels to actually know what’s going on in your own head.

What You’ll Get:

  • Daily micro-prompts that blend humor, psychology, and reflection

  • Simple rituals that make journaling something you crave

  • Community check-ins with me and other journalers

  • Sneak peeks from the book (Morning Pages 2.0, Gratitude, Affect Labeling, and more)

No spam. Just 14 days that might actually change your brain.

Journaling practices that don’t suck.

This journal combines 15 years of my own practice, two bestselling self-help books, and actual science (neuroscience, habit design, psychology) all delivered with a sense of humor and NO perfectionism.

Inside you’ll find my favorite journaling practices:

  • Morning Pages 2.0 — A DM with your soul (that doesn’t take hours)

  • Affect Labeling — The emotion-naming hack that calms your brain in seconds

  • Gratitude that’s not woo-woo — For people allergic to “good vibes only”

  • Expressive Writing — One of the the most studied, trauma-healing tools in journaling

So yeah, this isn’t your middle-school diary. Though, there’s nothing wrong with that.

What early readers are saying:

“I joined the challenge thinking I’d quit after two days.

I’m still journaling a month later.”

“This journal made me look forward to writing for the first time in my life.”

“I’ve read a lot of self-help; this one actually helped.”

“It’s like therapy, but Tara swears more.”

@TARASCHUSTER

Meet the Maker

TARA SCHUSTER is the author of the runaway hit, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies (a comedic memoir and self-care guide), which was a finalist for Goodreads’ Best Nonfiction Book of 2020 and was selected by Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Goop, Publishers Weekly, and many more as one of the best books on mental health and creating a life you love.

A former journaling skeptic, Tara discovered the life-changing power of putting pen to paper after years of failed attempts. Tara has helped thousands of people transform their relationships with themselves through sustainable, research-backed journaling practices that feel more like self-care than work.

Meet the Maker

TARA SCHUSTER is the author of the runaway hit, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies (a comedic memoir and self-care guide), which was a finalist for Goodreads’ Best Nonfiction Book of 2020 and was selected by Cosmopolitan, Real Simple, Goop, Publishers Weekly, and many more as one of the best books on mental health and creating a life you love.

A former journaling skeptic, Tara discovered the life-changing power of putting pen to paper after years of failed attempts. Tara has helped thousands of people transform their relationships with themselves through sustainable, research-backed journaling practices that feel more like self-care than work.

@TARASCHUSTER