Journaling is fun...right?

I hit a journaling slump in 2009. This is my shortest entry ever. "We went shopping today and it stormed." Wow, Shaynie. How exciting.

Even the most dedicated of all journalers will nod their heads in agreement when you mention that that, every once in a while, journaling just loses it's wonder. It's true. It happens, and it isn't necessarily bad.

How to keep journaling fun 

Remember, it's not a chore or an obligation

When you feel like you've committed a heinous crime when you skip a day, or guilty when you only write a paragraph or two, your journal will be a source of frustration to you. Just remember, it's okay if you skip a few days (or even weeks!). And it's okay if you don't feel like writing much. Journaling should be done because you want to, not because you feel like you must.

If you're having a hard time digging journaling, associate journaling with something pleasant.

I have heard several journalers recommend journaling rituals--such as brewing a cup of tea or some such comforting drink, putting on some inspiring music, or lighting a candle. I have never done this, mainly because my schedule really doesn't allow me that luxury (or maybe because I am too lazy :P) and because I write when I feel that "urge" inside--which one day might be as soon as I wake up, and one day it might be in the car on the way to the store.

However, we humans are creatures of habit, so if you light a French vanilla candle every time you sit down to journal, you'll soon be inspired to write every time you smell French vanilla! Again, pleasant-journaling-association is totally a matter of choice, so don't feel pressured to do so if you don't want to.

Go back and read some old entries.

It doesn't matter if it's in your present journal--just a few weeks back--or a journal from years ago, old entries will be sure to spark some sort of inspiration in your veins.  I often feel inspired by what I was going through at the time (what was important to me several years ago, or what was constantly on my mind) or the style I wrote in from year to year. Sometimes I like my old style of writing (because my present voice has evolved over several years) and I try to copy how I sounded long ago in my present journal. But anyway, reading old entries is a great way to get ideas of what to write about. If all else fails, copy an old entry into you present journal and edit it. Can you make it sound any better?

Does journaling ever get old for you?