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What comes to mind when you think of a personal journal? Do you see a hardbound book? A password protected file saved on your computer’s desktop? A sketch pad? A three-ring binder with pages that can be moved around? The fact is, there are as many types of journals as there are people who write in them. Despite the variety, all journals fill one important need – they serve as safe harbors where one can write without censorship, exploring new ideas, trying out different personalities, and clarifying values. To begin a journal, or continue one, is to embark on an inward voyage that has outward implications.
Great writing is not required, only a desire to discover who you are at your core.
Keeping a journal is different than keeping a diary or logbook. The difference is one of focus - inward versus outward. A journal is a deeper, more focused collection of questions, answers and musings, rather than a simple catalog of day to day events. As Lois Guarino, author of Writing Your Authentic Self says, “A diary is a formal pattern of daily entries that catalog observations, activites, expenses, and the like. It is outwardly focused.”(p.3) A journal on the other hand, “is an inward journey, a record of internal life written consistently over a period of time, but not necessarily day by day. It is a place where...you can commune with rarely explored parts of yourself and where those parts can answer back.” (p.3) It is this dialogue, carried on over an extended period of time, that has the potential to bear surprising insights, support truth-telling, and foster courage.
Why do people keep journals? For some people, it is simply an exercise in self-discovery, for as Joyce Chapman writes in the book Journaling for Joy: Writing Your Way to Personal Growth and Freedom, journaling, "invites you to discover your truth and identify your natural skills, talents, abilities, and insights." (p.2) For others, writing in a journal is a great way to take time out of a busy day to regroup and center. Once again, Lois Guarino reminds us that, "a journal encourages you to take time for reflection.So does reexamining what you have written." (Authentic Self, p.18) The again, people can use a journal to concentrate on specific issues like family history, creativity, dreams, money and prosperity, or health and wellness. Regardless of how you use your journal, or what you write about, "as you write each journal entry, you progress in taking responsibility for yourself. In so doing, you empower yourself to make meaningful change." (Authentic Self, p.11)
You might be asking yourself, "How do I get started?" While there is no right way, the following suggestions may help you begin your journal writing practice with ease.
Choose materials with care – Your journal
will become a special place, and it is only
fitting that your material be of the highest
quality that you can comfortably afford.
Consider using acid–free paper and inks for
preservation purposes. Be attentive to what
pens or other art materials capture your
interest, and use them! If you use your
computer for journal purpose, consider using
a specific font for writing in order to
differentiate your journal writing from other
work you do at the keyboard.
Take steps to ensure privacy – Journals have
a way of arousing curiousity, especially
among family members. There is nothing worse
than having your journal read behind your
back. The sense of violation and betrayal of
trust are quite real. That said, there are
some ways to keep your journal private. You
can keep your journal with you in a purse,
briefcase, or backpack. You can purchase book
that locks, or use a password on your
computer. You can store your journal out of
sight. You might also encourage other family
members to keep journals themselves, and
honor their privacy as well.
Commit to telling the truth – Honesty is the
cornerstone of any successful journal. It
does you no good to examine your life through
the lens of half-truths or false beliefs. As
Lois Guarino writes, "only accuracy,
sincerity, and integrity will do." (Authentic
Self, pp. 22-23)
Try to write several times a week – A journal
is not meant to be a burden. Daily writing is
a necessary ritual for some people, a chore
for others. Aim to write several times a
week, and you will get an accurate picture of
what is going on in your life. Don't worry if
you feel like you need to take a sabbatical
from your writing. Your journal will be
waiting when you're ready to return.
Use a variety of writing techniques – Most
journal writers are familiar with the log or
diary method of writing, but you aren't
limited to this. Consider writing lists,
crafting dialogues with various aspects of
yourself (or others), writing unsent letters
to people whom you have unfinished business
with, and "writing" with pictures, sketches,
or collages. All of these are ways to spice
up your journal and keep your interest.
Review what you have written – This practice
gives you a chance to see how you've grown,
what issues you've tackled, and what things
you are still working on. Aim for a review
session every couple of months. This way,
your entries aren't quite as raw, and you
have enough distance to approach your journal
with an attitude of kindness and curious
detachment.
A journal provides a place for internal adventure, and proper mining of your entries can reveal hopes, fears, goals, dreams, and values. Journal writing allows you to come home to yourself in friendship. Secure in the knowledge of who you are, it also paves the way for authentic interactions with others.
Article Sources
1. Chapman, Joyce. Journaling for Joy: Writing
Your Way to Personal Growth and Freedom.
Newcastle Publishing Company, Inc. North
Hollywood: California. 1991.
2. Guarino, Lois. Writing Your Authentic Life.
Dell Publishing. New York:USA. 1999.
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