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Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?
Long ago –okay, for me, it was long ago!- it was common for a young person to keep a diary, a place to write down the heartaches and giggles of growing up, the trials and tribulations of school, friendships, sports and activities. Sometimes it was a locked book, so that we felt secure knowing our secret thought remained a secret.
How times have changed! While I no longer keep a classic diary, it is no less important for me to write down thoughts, ideas, and heaven-knows-what, on a regular basis. Nowadays, the common name is a “journal”, and seems to appeal to every segment of society. There are an abundance of ways to do this, and so many reasons why. Although I prefer longhand, many people use a computer, and there are any number of prompts/styles/methods.
Let’s explore this together!
Do you journal? What prompted you to start? What would you tell someone who wants to start?
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@elderellen, Journaling serves that purpose for me as well. Lovely photo, you like a person with a very kind spirit.
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1 Reaction@criss, I'm sending condolences for the loss of your dear long time pen pal. I lost my closest friend of over 30 yrs this June and journaling has truly helped me during this time of grief. Journaling can't replace sharing our lives with our closest friends but it has been a real aid.
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3 ReactionsHave you given it a try yet, @hopeful33250? I have 3 separate journals going: a regular, write anything whenever one, which I've done for decades; a second, gratitude journal for jotting down 3 each early morning and before bed and the third, the 3 "to do tasks" for tomorrow.
What @elderwoman and @criss shared above holds very true for me as well. Journaling helps me let go of troubling feelings or upsetting events and also helps to clarify my thinking.
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3 ReactionsI found a planner/bullet journal on clearance in a not-so-local craft store. And realized, like others, that I have been doing a form of the popular bullet journaling for several years. In my last career, there was a daily snapshot of things done that workday, personnel present, time off, etc. kept in my planner at work. When I retired there was an impressive collection of yearly planners!
Since 1 Oct I have kept up the new planner, without decals or different colors, or drawings, although it may morph into that. Seeing what is accomplished each day is proof positive to me that I am not wasting my time, and allowing a day to relax or step back is just fine!
Previously I was going to keep a separate journal going for my current cancer journey, but have decided that it is part of me, and part of my daily life. So, intertwining it with thoughts and feelings seems to work best for me. I may decide later to mark certain pages in an edge color if i want to refer back to writings about that part.
Thank you, @fiesty76, for reminding us all about journaling, and the value it can have for each of us!
Ginger
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3 Reactions@elderellen, what a lovely photo. I hope you'll upload it to your profile here. Here's how to update your profile https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/how-to-update-your-profile/
How long have you been journaling? Is this something you've always done or a new habit?
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2 ReactionsYes, @elderellen, journaling is one of the best ways for me to let "feelings go." I'm glad that you have joined this journal-lovers group. We have something in common, don't we?
Are you a long-time journaler?
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1 ReactionHello @fiesty76,
I have not tried the bullet journaling yet, just the traditional kind.
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2 ReactionsSounds like most of you journal with pen and paper. Do any of you do your writing on your computer, in docs, or some private page? I like being able to easily go back and neatly edit my writing. At some point I might print the pages for a loose leaf notebook.
Have any worked on a memoir of sorts? I started filling out a book of prompts years ago, with my great grandchildren in mind. But the book was damaged when our home was flooded from a tropical storm. I regret that I threw it away instead of trying to clean it. If you've ever had to clean up after a flood you understand! It's overwhelming. (Something more to describe in a future undertaking!)
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1 ReactionHello Criss,
Your post read “ if you’re ever had to clean up after a flood, you understand. It’s overwhelming.”
May I add “ if you’ve ever had to clean up after a major wild fire you understand. It’s overwhelming “
I’m 2 years into the Wolsey Canyon Fire in California.
We can both write a book about it. Are you down south, or east coast?
Hope you have good insurance, and we’re up to the task of dealing with insurance adjusters.
As for journaling, I prefer pen and paper. I’m old school, and do better without a keyboard.
Funcountess
Funcountess, My heart goes out to you and others living with the threat of wildfires in California! At least with a flood it's over quickly and leaves a mess but maybe not devastation. We do have flood insurance, which covered our monetary losses. We are in northern NY, not a typical place for a "tropical storm" but unusual events have a way of finding me! More material for that memoir!