As I look over the early years of my blog, it is sort of like a little writing journal---the things I was writing, thinking about, and worrying over. I admit, I've kept a real journal since I was twelve years old. I love writing about my day and little insights I've received. There's also something very therapeutic about journals, at least for me. I write down my feelings, get things out of my head and on the paper so it isn't hanging over me, if that makes sense.
At first, I was thinking that someone should probably burn all my journals after I die, because I am very honest in them since no one reads them but me, but now I'm starting to think that my journals show a true picture of my journey. I am a mess sometimes. I get angry and frustrated. I handle things badly and regret not thinking before I speak more often than I'd like. But I look back at those entries now and I see how far I've come. The older I get, the easier it seems to just love myself and the people around me, and not care so much about what the world thinks or what "should" be done or what I could have done differently. I'm feeling more and more comfortable in my skin.
So, long story short, I love journals! I love see my progress as a human being. I love that I have my "writing blog journal" that marked where I was in my writing journey at the time.
But here's my question to you: do you keep a journal? Why or why not?
All comments will be entered to win a $5 Amazon gift card. Maybe you could put it toward buying yourself a new journal!
42 comments:
I've tried at many points and in different forms, but I've never really succeeded at it since I was a teenager. I even started a journal when we were married for us to write in on our anniversaries and big events. That, too, was less than successful!
I'm such a bad journal writer! I did as a teen occasionally since I felt like I was "supposed to" but now I keep track of thoughts I want to remember or the funny things my kids say in the Notes app on my phone.
I don't keep a journal, I am a terrible writer!
I’ve kept a journal since elementary school, and I now have so many. I’ve told my sister where I keep them so she can destroy them if anything happens to me. LOL I find journal writing to be therapeutic.
I don't keep a journal. No time...
I don’t keep a journal .I always thought I would like to but I just never did.
You are so sweet! There has been several times I've journaled..but I always get off track! Life gets in the way!
I have kept a journal for years. Writing down big moments in life, fun travels, what’s happening in life from day to day. I have wondered about what will happen to them when I die, I think I want them buried with me so they don’t read those embarrassing moments I write about ��
I think when I was young, I had a diary. I don't do anything now.
I keep a journal in the google keep app section of my phone so that it is always handy for me to go to when I am ready to write whats jumping around in my mind. It is really handy because I can access it on my computer and kindle. It stays synched very well.
msredk at aol dot com
I have tried to at times but something comes up and it goes by the way side.
I did when I was younger. At first my personal blog became my journal, but I stopped that too. Now Instagram is sort of my journal. I do need to pick it up again somehow. When I teach RS or YW, I do pull a lot of experiences from my life, and those are in Google docs, so it's close!
No, I have never kept a journal. I think it is a great idea, I just never have.
No, I don't keep a journal but think it is a great idea, and it could help me with my writing.
I an not doing a journal at this time as life has been so busy but did keep one for several years
I used to write faithfully, but lately life has taken over, and I feel like there isn't much interesting to say.
I don't keep a journal. As a teenager I tried to keep a diary but it ended up being more of a list of what I did that day. I've attempted several times as an adult but basically gave up on it decades ago because I'm terrible at it.
At different points in my life I have but not now. I'm 66 now with MS with some forgetfulness. I'm just trying to get through my days.
Yes! I wasn’t very good at until four years ago. I’ve only missed a handful of days in all that time. I start by writing a gratitude for the day-how I saw the hand of the Lord in my life-and then elaborate from there-including the mess.
No I don't keep a journal, tried to but was only writing negative comments and decided I didn't need that.
I do but right now I am not very good at writing in it very often!
I do but not very diligently.
I did for a couple years as a teenager, but then stopped and just haven’t picked it up again. I have a journal still in which I will write down certain moments I want to remember, but not that often.
I did for a couple years as a teenager, but then stopped and just haven’t picked it up again. I have a journal still in which I will write down certain moments I want to remember, but not that often.
I did as a teenager. As I became older, I lived through some terrible things. It is hard to have those memories on paper. It is easier not to have to relive them.
Yes I keep a journal also. I agree it's therapeutic also!
When I was a teenager I kept a journal religiously, but I haven't done so in years. And I wish I did. I love reading my old journal entries.
I used to keep a pretty meticulous journal. But I stopped after getting sidetracked with kids. I’ve pulled it out and written in it several times over the years. I want to start writing in it again but I let the daunting task of thinking I need to catch up hold me back. I need to just start.
I used to and I have one that I will use to write a header (a trip I went on and the dates) and try to go back and fill it in but I'm getting further and further behind. I am determined to do better!
I don't write in a journal much anymore. I still have a Journal Jar I use from time to time. I also saved my wall calendars for about 20 yrs., that have places we've been including, weddings, funerals, soccer practice, dance class, swim lessons, Dr. appointments & birthdays, etc..
Unfortunately, no. I did for a while at one point in my earlier years, though. I wish I could be more enthused about doing it.
YES!!! love keeping journals! I've been journaling on and off for nearly a decade now! It's an amazing experience! -Lily
I do not keep a journal, but I do not have any good reason not to. I just haven't taken the time to keep one up. I do think it's a good idea to have a journal to write down your thoughts.
I kept a journal as a teenager. When I read it as an adult I was really embarrassed by it. I tore the pages out and burned them. I keep a journal now too. It's nice to have a place to put my thoughts.
I do keep a journal, it just helps to get your feelings out.
I used to be so good at keeping a journal. My Mom helped me write my first few entries in a Care Bears notebook before I knew how to write (I told her what to write and she wrote it for me). Once I learned how to write I started keeping my own journals throughout my life. Sadly I don't keep up in it like I used to. I used to wrote every day, but now that I have kids it doesn't happen as much. I love the memories it can bring back, or the way I can look back and see how far I have come. I definitely need to write more often!
Llwaltz (at) gmail (dot) com
For 3 months, I kept a food journal recording every morsel that passed my lips, exercise minutes and type and perceived rate of exertion and mood. I lost a bit of weight. I belong to 2 poetry workshops and write down phrases and words that I find intriguing.
Yes! I have kept a journal over most of my life (earliest when I was 8 or 9), with some gaps through the years, especially lately. I love looking back at what I was thinking and feeling during certain times. More recently, I've been more interested in creative writing, and so my journal includes some of that type of writing, too.
I kept journals in the past but they were always read and caused issues so I haven't kept a journal in 12 years now.
I was diligent at keeping a journal as a teen, but now I'm too embarrassed to let my kids read it, haha. I've been hit or miss as an adult and haven't hardly written anything at all in the last 5 or so years because there are a lot of things in life that I just don't want to remember.
I kinda kept a journal when my kids were younger. I keep telling my self I need to do one again.
It is so interesting to me to read how other people approach journaling! Thank you so much for sharing that part of your life with me!
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