I so want to keep a journal. Consistently. I wish I could. I start them. In fact, I have several journals around the house. Some in peculiar places. Like the time I found one in the toy box. Or the kitchen drawer. A few can be found in the bedside table. I wouldn’t be surprised if there are a couple kicking around under the couch. I have work journals (I am actually more diligent on keeping these current/useful – clients will be reassured to hear this), devotional journals and journals about the first 12months for each of my kids (I did manage to complete these). And here’s the other weird thing. I love buying journals (I do have some favs) and I adore being given journals. Obviously, I am old school on this topic as I realize there are some pretty cool apps out there that can “do” journaling. I just love the concept of making my own puddle of ink on the beautiful blank pages. The possibilities are endless.
What I do like about my approach to journaling (if such a thing exists) vs keeping a diary is that there is no pressure. Freedom. Just write when you feel like it. Even if you skip a few years in between. Here are some other things I have journaled about in the past — the funny things my kids say—highschool romance—books I have read—letter writing—food journal—exercise—trip to France—the Psalms.
There are loads of people who keep journals out there. Take a look at Leonard Cohen’s journal entries as he was crafting songs for his latest album “Old Ideas.” Artwork even. Amazing. Inspiring. For more interesting collections of journals see “The Selected Journals of L.M.Montgomery” or “Hundreds and Thousands The Journals of Emily Carr” and “Northrop Frye Unbuttoned“.
Maybe the fascination comes not from wanting to be inspired but to have a brief peek; a privileged point of entry into someone’s mind. This window is a catalyst that causes us to examine our own thinking and in the process learn something and broaden our perspective. Isn’t that what we ourselves gain from even reading our own journal entries? Hmmm, something to ponder.
Would love to hear whether you journal or is your response “Pish Posh” journaling if for Luddites! Please do share YOUR ideas and tips for those of us who would like to journal. Thanks for reading!
I am an avid journaller…I’ve come to actually NEED to do it! It keeps me sane. If I don’t write often enough my mind gets swirly and I have trouble making sense of what is bothering me. So for me, journalling is less about recording memories and more about self-therapy!!
though this may sound overly dramatic…journalling this past year has been without a doubt life-changing for me. I don’t know if you’ve read the Artist’s Way…but if you have you’ll know about the 3 page a day excersice. The idea is to journal free-flowing thoughts for 3 pages first thing when you wake. This is done to clear out any automatic default thinking patterns that really cloud your day and you are free to be clear to start your day.
I haven’t always done it first thing and as I said I haven’t always done it daily…but in the pursuit of this, I have done it very regularly. Some days it’s just “I’m sooooo tired!!!” repeated for a couple of lines until my brain gets running…by the end of the 3 pages I have always come upon some insight into myself or into somethign happening in my life.
Happy journalling everyone!!
Thanks Beth for your inspiring perspective on journaling! I think I could do the “I’m soooo tired” line….. 🙂 Thanks and happy journaling to you too.
I love journalling and journals. I’m like you, though, in that I’m not as consistent as I’d like to be.
I have a handful of friend, though, who are hardcore, dedicated journalers. One friend even creates art on and in her journals as she writes. I love this idea, but my artistic bone (at least the one that translates into drawing/painting) is rusty and I end up producing what looks to be done by a 2 year old.
I think we have the same artistic bone! Love this idea though. Thanks for sharing.
Hmmm. I am a big fan of journaling. I love words on paper as well. I keep a journal of and for my little Nora of stories from when she arrived home for the first time to her attempting potty training these days. All of this in hopes of helping her with a little one some day, but also in hopes of helping her Mother remember all of these wonderful things down the road!! Journaling for me is just like looking back at photos! All the memories to laugh at and appreciate!
Barb I too have a love of collecting journals even if they stay empty for a year or two. Also, isn’t it fun to read back a few years to see what you cared to write about then? Especially when you mention high school romances! Oh geez! Such a difference in what matters today!