One type of writing that I enjoy is journaling. While it’s similar to a diary of events or thoughts, a journal typically includes introspection on what is written.
There are many reasons to keep a journal. Here are some that I think are helpful for writers:
- Prods our creativity
- Helps develop writing skills
- Captures experiences we can use in stories
- Keeps us in the habit of writing regularly
There are many benefits for non-writers, too, and for me these are even better reasons to keep a journal:
- Allows us to see how our attitudes and thoughts have changed over time
- Becomes a record of our lives that others may one day appreciate reading
- Helps us sort out our feelings
- Relieves stress by clearing out the clutter in our minds
A journal doesn’t have to follow rules. It can be as detailed or vague as we want it. Whether we are writing whatever comes to mind, or following a structured theme, it can help us discover more about ourselves as well as document our thoughts and experiences.
Whether your journaling is autobiographical, free-writing, focused on a particular topic, or a mixture of those things, it can be a useful and fun hobby. There are many sites that provide creative suggestions for journal topics, as well as ideas for creating personal journals.
Here are 2 sites with articles about journaling that I found helpful:
Your Life is Your Story On starting a journal; has many helpful links.
Infed: Writing and Keeping Journals Discusses learning from the journals we keep.
I haven’t kept a regular journal for a year or two, but started a new one this week as part of a study course I’m taking. Although I usually keep my entries in Word documents, I’m also going to print off the ones for this journal and keep them in a 3-ring binder. I only have a few entries so far, and the binder isn’t fancy—but I like it. It feels right for what I want to accomplish, and easy.
Do you keep a journal? What topics do you write about? Do you use bound journals, notebooks, binders, or computer files for your journal entries? Do you have any tips, or know of helpful sites for more information on keeping a journal?
I want to keep a journal. But I messed up by taking up a seven day journal project that FORCED me to write on a certain topic each day. Doing that, my interest in writing in my journal waned and I quit. Now I think I’ll start the practice up again.
But I won’t take on anymore journal projects for a while. Especially if they involve more than one day of dedicated writing!
Have a great day, thanks for the great blog post, and happy writing!
Thanks, Kyla. 🙂
Not everyone enjoys keeping a journal, especially when someone else sets the rules for it. Maybe you’ll enjoy it more if you have a general theme, but not a specific topic. For example, I like to write about things that inspire me in some way, which could be a book I read, or something I overheard at the store, or a possum walking through my yard. Boring stuff for others to read, but fun for me. We all have different interests and schedules, so do what works best for you.
Best wishes.
Carol
“Clearing out the clutter in our minds” is the biggest benefit I find from keeping a journal. I often write in my journal as the first thing I do in the morning — or even the last thing before going to bed at night — and it really helps to unload everything that is going on. Plus, if done in the morning, it’s a good way to get the fingers warmed up!
John, sounds like you’ve made good use of your journal. 🙂 I’m still struggling to make journaling a regular habit but enjoy jotting things down as they come to mind. Unfortunately most of my inspiration comes when I’m nowhere near my journal, so the loose-leaf, 3-ring binder works best for me.
Your blog post “Pictures of 2011” is an awesome summary of your year, and is a journal in itself. I recommend it as a great example for anyone who keeps a blog as a journal. (I haven’t had time to read all of the posts yet, but will be back to catch up later.) I’m adding your blog to my Blogs I Like page later today.
Thanks for taking time to share your thoughts.
Carol
I have only ever kept a journal when I had things to work out in my mind. Usually when I’ve been stressed over something and need to get a lot of my feelings out. The page is always there to listen. It does not judge. I think they are great and have often encouraged my friends to try it.
Nice to see you blogging again. 🙂
Hi, Laura. Journals are great for sorting out our feelings, though I wouldn’t want anyone to read some of the entries I’ve written while angry. Those always go into the trash.
I’m hoping to get back into a regular blogging schedule soon. Thanks for stopping by to share your thoughts.
Carol
Carol, I kept a journal on my christian walk and prayer-life. I kept it for something like 12-14 years. I had stacks of those notebooks. Then I went through a very dark night of the soul and I trashed them all. I hated how naive and childlike I sounded when I read them. And I got so upset and angry I tore them all to shreds. I didn’t want anyone to read them and see how stupid I was. As you can imagine I could kick myself now. I still journal, but not as much as I used to.
Elizabeth, Writing those journals was a good way to sort out your feelings and beliefs, so they served a useful purpose. I’m sorry you went through such a difficult struggle but perhaps it helped to make you the strong, thoughtful christian you are now.
Blessings,
Carol