the gathering of ideas

Sometimes when you're out and about and away from your journal, something you'd like to write about will pop into your head, or you will see something you want to record. But the problem is, you're away from your journal. So what can you do? You can carry your journal around everywhere with you, as long as you have a purse or a bag big enough for it. This is especially useful if you are going to be on a long trip or spending time in waiting rooms. However, whipping your journal out in public can be a little strange.

Another good idea is to get yourself a handy-dandy notebook (see above). It is small, inconspicuous, and personal. You can slip in in your jeans pocket or in your purse. So when you get an idea, or the beginnings of a poem, or ideas for your book, or something you'd like to record, you can take it out and jot  down what you need to. At a later and more convenient time, you can transfer it to your actual journal and elaborate on it. 

I do a little bit of both. Lately I have been slipping my real journal into my purse whenever I go out, but I also carry a little notebook around at times as well. It all depends.

Do you carry your journal with you?

lined or unlined?

 
Lined versus unlined? Journals come in both formats. Which is best?

 Unlined journals can get messy, because they don't have any lines to guide you (see above). 


 
However, as we can see here, lines are not a guarantee against messy handwriting.

However, unlined can present great artistic freedom because of the lack of lines.

A lined specimen, one of my favorite journals.

 

 Unlined journals can provide more opportunities for doodles.

Here you can see lined and unlined side by side (using an unlined page and then pasting it into a lined journal is a great way to do word art and avoid line obstruction.)

Lined or Unlined?

Looking at my own personal journal history, I gravitate towards lines versus unlined. I'm not against unlined journals, and sometimes they are a refreshing break from lined ones every now and again. There have been two unlined journals I used in particular that I greatly enjoyed.

Lined: Personally, I tend to actually write more in lined journals. My unlined journals are filled with less writing and more word art, collages, and other artsy things. Lined journals beg for words, not so much of the same sort of art that goes into an unlined journal. Lined journals also make your handwriting more controlled and obviously straight.

Unlined: Unlined journals can be fun, because there aren't any restrictions. You can write and draw and paste things in and the lines aren't there to constrain you. However, messy handwriting can go along with this, as well as slanting handwriting. And sometimes less actual words and writing.

So ultimately, the choice is the journaler's. But I am curious, what is your personal preference? Lined or unlined? What are the pros and cons for you? Please leave a comment and let me know.

journal or diary?

So what do you keep? A journal or a diary? Are the words interchangeable? Can you do both? Or do you need a separate notebook for each activity? I have wondered these things before.

I heard a good explanation once that said a journal and a diary are the difference between external and internal. A diary is like the external you--what you look like, what clothes you wear, your mannerisms. A journal is more of the internal you--your personal thoughts, feelings, emotions.

Take a look:

A diary, by definition, is a written record of events that happened during the day. Such as "Woke up this morning for a doctor's appointment. Ate at McDonald's on the way home". Sort of like a log book.

A journal, by definition, is more of a personal reflection, recording your thoughts and feelings. Deeper things.

I usually refer to my habit a journal keeping, but in reality, I do a mixture of journaling and diary writing. I often describe what happened during the day, but I also record my thoughts, feelings, and emotions at that present time. I also doodle in my journals, jot down inspiring song lyrics, glue in stuff I cut out from magazines, make collages, write poetry, and anything else that happens to strike my fancy. 

It seems to me that you can refer to what you do as either "journaling" or "keeping a diary". There aren't a lot of rules in the artistic realm. I found this post to be enlightening on the subject, if you would like to do further reading.

So what do you think? 
Do you use the term "journal" or "diary"?

journaling slumps

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 

Don't treat it as 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. It's okay if you skip a few days (or even weeks, for that matter). 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 I have to write for the sake of it, and because I write when I feel that "urge" inside--which might be as soon as I wake up one day, and the next it might be in the car on the way to the store.

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). 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?

Take a break.
Yep, just take a break from it. The world won't end even if you skip a month of writing. Come back to the page when you're inspired again. You invariably will be.

Does journaling ever get old for you?

journaling daily

I haven't been a consistent daily journaler until recently. When I first started, my entries were sporadic; probably because I just didn't posses the skill or the discipline at age ten to journal daily (plus I probably didn't have a lot to talk about. Except maybe American Girl and my homeschool group that met once a week.) As I grew older, my entries became a bit more regular, several times a week, but even then only a few lines each. I would then go through phases where I would journal every day, only to drop off once more.

I struggled with depression as a teenager, and that played a significant role in my journaling, and I rarely journaled. When I did, my entries were about worries or how miserable I was feeling. I regret now, looking back, not keeping a daily journal more consistently. I remember little of 2008, because that was the year I jouranled the least. I wish I would have jouranled daily about what had happened in my life and family. But I didn't, and I suppose it can't be helped now.

As of now, I fill up several pages daily of anything and everything that has happened to me or comes to my mind. Thoughts, ideas, lists, tidbits from around the house, as well as artistic endeavors such as paint chip collages or cut outs from magazines. I love looking back and having a record of what has passed, and writing daily helps relieve stress, anxiety, and provides a great outlet for creativity. I do take breaks at times, if I'm busy, ppreoccupied, or just don't have the motivation to write. However, after a day or so off, I'm usually ready to write again.

Do you journal daily?

sticking with a journal

Do you ever struggle with “let’s hurry up and fill up this journal so I can start a new one” syndrome? I certainly I do at times. My journaling trunk is a testimony to this; I think I have close to ten journals that are only partially filled. The reasons are various—the journal was too thick, the paper was too thin, it was lined/unlined (depending on my mood that affects me), it was too small, too big, the pages were white, and on it goes. 

I haven’t discarded a journal halfway through for about a year now. Part of this, I think, is because I have finally found what works for me as far as the actual journal is concerned—I need a semi-thick book with cream pages, it must have lines (although depending on the journal I can get away with an unlined one), and it should be around 5x7. If you struggle with discarded journals, take a look at the ones you’ve abandoned and see what they have in common. Take note of the journals you have finished and see what they have in common. You might discover something. 

Sometimes rushing through a journal just comes from having a short attention span (I know it does for me a lot of the time). If this describes you, perhaps it would be helpful to live in the moment and approach your current journal with slowness and simplicity, appreciating the blank page in front of you and just working to fill it with something meaningful, instead of looking ahead. I know this has worked for me many times.

Also, the realization that journaling is a journey, and not a destination. When I had only three or four filled journals to my name, I would wish and wish that I had more. But you can’t have more unless you give focus and attention to each journal, instead of discarding it or rushing to fill it!

These are just some things I've learned over the years of journaling. Perhaps they may be helpful in your journaling journey. Do you have  any thoughts to add?

journal storage

 Currently I house my journals in this trunk 
I bought at a thrift store a couple of years ago.
  I think it kind of looks like a treasure chest.

Used journals are lined up in the back. 
To the left are unused notebooks, 
and to the right are my brother's old journals.

 This got me thinking...

where do you store your journals??

And if you haven't entered the giveaway, please do! 
You could win a leather bound journal!

notebook and journal types and brands

I'm not the sort of journaler who is loyal to any one brand. I know that there are people out there who stick to one brand in particular. Kirsten from Journaling Saves comes to my mind with her Blueline notebooks. 

I like to change things up, so I've used a variety of notebooks and journals in the past, ranging from cheap spiral school notebooks to handmade leather bound journals from Etsy and everything in between (as you can see from the above picture). I even alternate between lined and unlined journals.

Some of my favorites, though, are Greenroom notebooks from Target (which is the second notebook in the above picture). And I'm kind of picky about the fact that my journals have to have cream pages for the most part.

But all in all, I like to experiment with my journals and notebooks.

I'm interested to hear what your favorite notebook brands are. Are you loyal to a certain one, or do you mix things up? Comment and let me know!

my notebooks and journals (so far)

I have always always loved notebooks and journals. I find the compulsion to write in blank books very strong. I can't remember a time where I ever didn't have a journal.

Over the years I've amassed a little bit of a collection. I have approximately 40 right now. 

 
Personal journals comprise about 90% of what you see, although some are just random notebooks I've used for random things.

So comment and tell me, 

how many journals and notebooks do you have?

why do you keep a journal?

I've kept a journal for a long time. I started my first journal when I was ten or eleven, and I've written on a relatively consistent basis since then.

 I'm really not sure why I keep a journal. There is something incredibly therapeutic about it. And at the same time it satisfies my desire to create. 

And then again, it's just nice to be able to write in a book about stuff. And the journal is an incredible tool to document your growth and maturity and what God has done in your life.

Why do you journal? I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.