Journaling

[KitcRed]

I used to be an avid journal writer, up to uni years. I still have a few of my childhood/teenage journals. I fell out of habit but I miss it, it helped me to gather my thoughts and empty my head at the end of the day. And I found I was less likely to overshare at random times with people because I already had a good outlet for my thoughts, haha. I want to get back to it, the phone is my downfall. I always find myself glued back to a screen instead of journaling.

I used all kind of notebooks for it, mostly hard cover ones that can be closed with an elastic band. Moleskines were my favourite but I find them a bit too pricey these days. Thankfully I'm still a few pages into a limited edition Moleskine (it has a Hogwarts map cover haha) so I can enjoy using it.

Why don't you trial a digital journal until you get back into the habit? Or even just use your notes to jot down some thoughts throughout the day.

 

[Zulkraa]

If anyone is interested this lady is running a free course. I’m hoping it might just kick start my journalling - with a bit of luck. I think it will be shown 17:00 our time and there will be replays.

This is her site so you can read about it and sign up and I’ll also add the YouTube video

Journaling to Deepen Your Self-Discovery & Connection to the Universe

Discover the power of journaling for personal growth and self-discovery. Learn how to use journaling to connect with your intuition and form a deeper relationship with Spirit.

www.colettebaronreid.com

 

[ChilliBean]

Jumping on this thread as someone who has kept quite detailed diaries on and off for the last 15 years! I stopped in 2018 and only restarted writing a diary last June and have been consistent with it since. I took myself to a coffee shop today and spent 2 hours listening to music and happily writing by myself. It was so therapeutic!

 

[AlwaysSummer]

I’ve re-started journaling as going through stressful work situation. I use Day One app which can be set up with face recognition. I even 2-3 sentences of coming out with how I feel in the moment seem to be really cathartic. Can’t recommend it enough as someone with a natural tendency to overthink.

 

[Laughingforlife]

I don’t at the moment, but would like to start. I’ve had a rough year and like what you’ve said about the ‘it lets me forget things’ I think I’d like that. I’ve seen some good ones that have sections you fill in etc. i would definitely like to start though

I'm not the most eloquent person though, and my handwriting is awful, so it doesn't look very nice. I don't think I'll ever show it to anyone though, so it shouldn't matter.
You should start. Sometimes I just do bullet points, rather than writing essays

 

[whitefox1]

I stopped writing after my father once read mine. Invaded is the right word.

I didn’t feel like i was being honest with myself if i deliberately didn’t write about certain topics like sex for fear of someone else reading.

I would be the type to get a safe for my diary if i didn’t want anyone to read it.

This is what holds me back from journaling despite being really keen on the idea. My Mother read my diary years ago and I was so upset.

Now I have visions of my kids finding my journal and reading it. I would hate them to read some of the feelings I still harbour towards my parents as they have been kept very sheltered from events in my childhood. Whilst my parents were useless to their own kids, I have to admit that they have worked hard to be better grandparents.

And what’s the point of journaling if you can’t bare your soul! Maybe a safe is not such a bad idea or at least a journal that locks.

 

[kjs22]

Just started bullet journalling. I’m same as the poster above, bit worried to write anything personal in case it’s read by others. So for the moment I just use it as a bit of a daily to do list, small goals each day, habit tracker, and record one nice thing I have done to care for myself each day. It’s a nice hobby to sit a couple of times per day, gather my thoughts. I’m also conscious now of how much I’m giving of myself to others, and forcing myself to one self-care thing per day can be tricky!

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

No write or wrong (I’m leaving that typo as is! lol). Give yourself permission to do whatever you feel, there are no rules. And if it doesn’t seem right, try something else.

 

[Laughingforlife]

How many journals have people completed? I'm only on my first at the moment, and I always feel inspired when I see people with big stacks of notebooks who have been journaling for years.

 

[iLoveMeSomeCanoles]

Wow. I'm sorry that your privacy was invaded. How did you keep the habit through those years?

I'm not really sure, it just became a habit after a while. I used to write it last thing in bed before going to sleep. I missed some days, sometimes weeks. But generally managed to get back into it (until the time I didnt, of course!).

 

[Zulkraa]

I thought I would try and revive this thread Has anyone read The Artist's Way and managed to do the 'morning pages' daily?

 

[L3moning]

I finished my second journal!
Also has anyone found that journaling makes them more reserved? If you've written something down, that you're less likely to talk about it to another person?
I sometimes feel I say too much to people and get anxious afterwards

Somewhat late reply, but I tend to see writing something down as an equivalent to talking to someone about it. And I also find that, if I want to forget about something, writing down an obfuscated version of it helps (so "I was feeling a bit down" or "I had a bad dream" rather than going into details about my thoughts or nightmares).

 

[Laughingforlife]

How do you motivate yourself to journal? I'm struggling at the moment. Probably because I'm tired and I leave it too late. I wrote a page today though after not writing for about two weeks so that's something.

 

[Zulkraa]

I haven’t. And I know I can google, but let’s have a conversation. Can you tell us more about it?

It's a book that helps with creativity. Daily (ideally in the mornings) you write out 3 pages (A4 size I think?) it could be anything and everything just get it all out.

Also the author suggests taking yourself out for weekly dates which is something I'm keen to try.

I've possibly not explained it very well and hopefully someone who has read it and done the exercises can!

 

[ChilliBean]

I finished my second journal!
Also has anyone found that journaling makes them more reserved? If you've written something down, that you're less likely to talk about it to another person?
I sometimes feel I say too much to people and get anxious afterwards

Absolutely, I found this as well. I’m processing my own thoughts and emotions a lot more so I’m less likely to blurt them out, or ruminate on them! Once I’ve hashed it out in my diary it almost becomes old news. I read a comment on Reddit the other day in r/journaling that said something like when we handwrite something it moves through our brain more slowly, allowing us to process it better

 

[or JusRollWithIt]

I've started writing again but I've found I keep writing about the same thing all the time...
I'm getting a bit worried!
Anyone else find this?
I suppose if something makes you feel strong emotions you keep writing about it, but the emotions are not good

This has happened to me in the past. You can try writing about your writing and wondering why you’re gravitating back to the topic, and why you’re feeling the emotions you’re feeling. Write about the fact that you’re getting worried and brainstorm reasons why this may be and what you can and can’t do about it. If it’s too painful, you can try stepping away from that and writing about something else entirely. Like follow a week’s or more worth of prompts. So you are still writing and expressing but intentionally away from that issue. If it is all too painful, take a break. Many diarists take breaks when things in life become too much. Most come back because writing is how they cope.

I am sorry you’re experiencing negative emotions. I wouldn’t worry about that, per se, it’s ok to feel those things. I hope you can write your way through it

 

[Some People!]

Not strictly journaling related, but I thought you guys might be into related stuff too...?
I'm after recommendations for more planning/ planner aligned resources - I'm looking for personal and family diary/calendar/planner methods which help one stay on top of their shit. I'm especially looking for realistic and sustainable practices for ordinary people, rather than anything super high-maintenance that I'll exhaust myself doing & keeping up with.

 

[rainbowlemon]

I bought two of these journals as gifts today:

Homeware | Home & Garden | M&S

Update your space with our homeware edit. Discover supersoft bedding in breathable fabrics, soothing home fragrance sets and stylish tableware at M&S

www.marksandspencer.com

 

[Laughingforlife]

I am going to re-start my journalling in the New Year. I'm planning to have a regular written journal and a separate art journal.

I began "keeping a diary" when I was about 10-11 in 1994 - I then had one all pretty much all through secondary school and sixth form. I keep meaning to read back through them (mainly to try and remember the name of somebody I saw the other day lol). I know there's a few laughs to be had doing that, but also a few tears too.

I lost the habit somewhere in the mid- 2010s, due to mental illness and undiagnosed ASD. Although I was just drawing and doodling and writing lists etc at that point. Next year I want to get back into writing proper accounts of the day, emotions, venting etc.

I always used to get purple silk covered hardback A5 day-to-a-page diaries from WHSmith, but I can't see them on the website so I guess I'll look for a similar-sized equivalent. I've already got a Molskine book for my art journal.

The only thing that puts me off is a hangover from my youth when my best friend secretly read my diary when she slept over; and also I am convinced my mum used to read it too, as there was "how rude" written in it next to a questionable picture I drew - I'm sure I didn't write it. I felt so ....invaded? I don't know. I suppose I'll have to get a box with a lock!

Wow. I'm sorry that your privacy was invaded. How did you keep the habit through those years?

 

[bamboo98]

Not strictly journaling related, but I thought you guys might be into related stuff too...?
I'm after recommendations for more planning/ planner aligned resources - I'm looking for personal and family diary/calendar/planner methods which help one stay on top of their shit. I'm especially looking for realistic and sustainable practices for ordinary people, rather than anything super high-maintenance that I'll exhaust myself doing & keeping up with.

Have you considered bullet journaling?
There’s a Facebook group called Minimalist bullet journals. I don’t do bujo anymore but when I was in the group it wasn’t as extravagant as some of the bujo set ups I’ve looked at.