Journals are fantastic, and so is blogging. One thing I have tried to do for many years is to keep a journal when I am traveling, so that I can record fresh memories of all the new things I see. But on my last vacation, I was surprised to discover that suddenly, hand-writing a journal seemed so SLOW compared to blogging! I still think it’s good though!

What makes a good journal great? Make it personal and your own style. Don’t worry about what others might think. A journal or diary is supposed to reflect the real you… something we don’t see so often in this world of high expectation and walls around our personal spaces.

I’ve been keeping a journal off and on for over 30 years, and am amazed at the flood of memories that return as I read entries I wrote as a teen, young adult, and even now as an old fart. Ok, I’m not THAT old. But someday, my children or grandchildren will have the opportunity to get to know me through me own eyes in a way they never would have been able to otherwise.

Both my parents died at relatively young ages and neither kept a journal. Consequently, I have no insight into their true thoughts and feelings about their life or mine as I grew up. My children, on the other hand, will be able to read about the challenges I faced, trials I’ve endured, loves I’ve found and lost, places I’ve been and so much more because I’ve kept a journal. Not every day, sometimes months or years have passed. Nevertheless, when I did write, it was meaningful to me. And hopefully it will be to others down through the corridors of time.

Not everyone is a gifted writer or artist… that’s okay! This is about you and your life, not about being a writer, essayist, linguist, or anything else. Don’t worry if you misspell words, just write!!! Share yourself in an intimate and safe way through words on your own page. You don’t have to even let anyone ever read it if you don’t want to. But I imagine as you grow older and wiser, you won’t mind if sometime, a loved one struggling with their own life, gains a little strength, courage, and hope by reading of your failures and pains as well as successes.

Here are some ideas of what to include in your journal… have fun with it, don’t get stressed about it.

Favorite quotes, poetry, words to songs, personal thoughts and feelings, events good and bad, challenges you face, trials you are enduring, hopes, dreams, loves and losses, friends and sweethearts,
hot dates, short notes by friends, draw pictures, add animated sticky characters, dates and names of places or events, personal and professional goals, describe your greatest passions and fears, note the names of favorite movies, songs and artists, broken hearts and brand new starts! Share travels experiences and places including smells, sounds, tastes and colors.

“These are a few of my favorite things!” Whether you write on computer or with ink on paper, writing a journal will become a real joy in your life for healing pain and recalling special moments you can only live once.

I’ve kept a journal of my life and most intimate thoughts since I was old enough to write. I find my journal helps me to focus on the most important things to me. Of late I’ve started to record my life moments on my mini digital recorder. Hearing my experiences seems has added new excitement to my memories. Thanks.

Not everyone is a gifted writer or artist

Very nice Blog, I will tell my friends about it.

Thanks

Donia makes a great point – keeping a mini digital recorder with you is a great advantage if you are trying to really capture the moment with your thoughts. I use one extensively to keep track of song ideas that just come to me when I’m in one of my music writing moods. You just can’t imagine how useful and convenient they are!