Ever considered writing a journal? I’m thinking about it… want to think along with me?
There are many reasons to journal. My mom kept one for years, initially about household purchases and expenses - she liked looking back to find out just when we had bought that old couch or how much electricity had gone up in the past year. Eventually, she had records that dated back several decades. In more recent years, she kept track of the weather, appointments, who had visited and anything she wanted to remember. We all said her memory was better than ours, and that probably had a lot to do with her journaling.
A journal can take many forms and can contain anything you want. You may journal for different reasons and your purpose can change over time. The only intentional journaing I’ve done so far has been a travel journal, with the goal of making notes of where we went, how we got there and what we saw and did, in case we went back or wanted to share information with others about that location. Although, now that I think about it, I also kept a journal of sorts while working at the hospital pharmacy, keeping notes in a pocket-sized ring binder on new drug information. Several of the pharmacists there did...we called them “portable brains”!
So, there are lots of types of journals, and plenty of reasons to write daily. But what things should you decide before starting a journal?
Why do you want to journal?
A journal can be used to capture events and memories, as I did with my travel journal, but it can have several other uses too. Some people use a journal as a processing tool, to help solve problems, for example, by writing out the pros and cons of decisions they need to make or by listing their choices if what to do next on a page. Some use a journal to work out their feelings -- when you write down the little things that irritate you, you realize they really are just little things.
Others just want to start a daily habit, perhaps as they begin a new stage in life. With the birth of each of my children, I purchased a “baby book” to record all of those wonderful “firsts”. After my third, I continued to record memorable events related to my children, eventually filling up a small journal. My children have enjoyed looking through it years after it was written and, in a sense, it was written as much for them as for myself.
Writing daily in a journal can also be used to improve your writing skills. Any practice helps and, knowing the writing is not going to be read or edited by others can give you freedom to let ideas to flow onto the paper or screen.
Recording your thoughts can also help improve self-awareness. Journaling can create a time to just think and record those thoughts, if that is your goal.
What format do you want to use?
Digital
While you could simply write in a word processor, such as Word, you might want to consider a dedicated app, such as Day One, Live Journal and many others. Some also allow digital photos to be included, a nice addition to a travel diary, and can sync between devices. These programs offer the advantage of security, as you can password-protect your writing. Some can also be encrypted for further protection, which could be important if you are writing deeply personal honest thoughts that must never be seen by others.
Pen and paper
Writing in a traditional paper journal slows you down since it’s more difficult to change words written in ink. This requires you to think more before writing, and that may be one of your goals. Many also feel it offers a richer experience, similar to how some people prefer traditional paper books to electronic ones.
Paper journals can be kept in a locked drawer for a certain level of security. However, consider whether you care if it is found after you’re gone…
What to write?
Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, suggests writing a stream of consciousness -- whatever comes into your mind -- first thing each morning to stimulate creativity. She refers to these as “morning pages”. This activity can be helpful for writers, to practice allowing ideas to flow onto the page uncensored.
Michael Hyatt, former publisher, now author and blogger, suggests creating a template to guide your journaling, rather than facing a blank page. To do this, list questions you want to answer each day and leave space for answers
For example:
What happened in the past day? (records events)
What were my successes? (gives a sense of momentum, positive focus)
What am I thankful for (promotes gratitude)?
How do I feel right now?
What have I learned in the past day?
What can I do next to move ahead with a project I’m working on (or want to do)?
A template can work well to record daily events and to help you focus on what is positive in your life. Also, as you begin, it can be helpful just to get you started each day.
When is the best time for you to write? How long do you want to spend writing each day?
Regardless of when you decide to write, choose a time of day that is convenient and consistent. A habit is easier to create if you make it part of an established daily routine, for example, with your morning coffee. Leave your journal on your kitchen table or, if you prefer to write at night, on your pillow as a reminder. How long you spend each day depends on your goals -- a stream of consciousness journal might be a timed activity, say 15 minutes each morning, while recording thoughts and events while traveling in an amazing country might vary by the day, depending on your activities.
How long you want to continue to do this?
Commit to a trial period. Realize it may take a while to become a daily habit. Don’t give up after too short an effort and don’t worry if you miss once in a while at first. It may seem a bit difficult as you begin (what to write?), but many people find journaling enjoyable. Don’t be surprised if your journal changes over time -- just write what is enjoyable or helpful for whatever stage of life you are in right now!
