Journals and Papers

I was trying to figure out if people have a favorite spot or location where they do most of their journal writing? I tend to love a bright sunny day, leaning against a tree or on my backyard lounger (please hurry and come summer!). The only problem is then I can’t see what I am writing because the sun makes the paper too bright to keep my eyes open. A huge brimmed hat helps. The sunglasses don’t, as I didn’t get them set for close-up reading.

I notice more writers at parks and on university or college campuses. But then it might be homework they are doing. I also see people writing in and around hospital common areas or outside. On vacation, I tend to see the most people writing, most likely keeping a travel journal. Those airport delays sure make a person want to sleep or pull out a journal and scribble thoughts of frustration!

I imagine most folks put their thoughts to paper within their own homes, sitting comfortably on their couches or in a favorite chair. The important thing is, no matter where you do your writing, as long as you are comfortable and the ideas, feelings and words flow easily, there’s nothing to worry about.

Where’s the wackiest or craziest place you’ve ever pulled out your journal to write?

Most times in today’s fast paced world, I feel like I am standing against a wall, and objects are flying at me all the time. I have to duck and bend sideways and forwards to miss all the obstacles that approach me. With these objects come negativity and the challenge that there must be something better for me. I decided it was time to feel grateful for what I have and wanted to start a gratitude journal.

When I discovered the Every Day™ Journal by Compendium, I knew I had found the perfect journal for writing my grateful thoughts. They have 8 different kinds: ENJOY, COURAGE, ACHIEVE, CARE, DREAM, EXPLORE, PASSION and CREATE. So, depending on the one that best reflects an interest, would be a great one to keep as a gratitude journal. (I also use the PASSION one for a prayer journal).

Every other page (in each book) has a quote, which spurns me to find the right word to explain why I am grateful and what I am grateful for. Out of the ENJOY journal, an example of a quote is, “On some days, a shade tree and a few minutes can change your whole attitude. (Unknown)” How true.

Being grateful is about changing attitude, or perhaps it brings about the change in attitude. When we look at where we are and what we have, no matter how small or how large, there is always something to be grateful for.

I’ve found even in my darkest days, if I think for a moment or two, I can be grateful for something. I write,

I am grateful for the inches and inches of snow we have received this last week. (We’re getting hammered here in the Western Alberta Rockies.) It helps me realize that spring is just around the corner and I am grateful that I can feel Mother Nature and all her wondrous wildness. Maybe the snow is her way of having a ‘wild hair day’. I am grateful that I can touch the snow, its icy residue leaving my fingers red with cold. It melts against my warm face, leaving a freshness that no facial toner can promise. My senses are alive. I am grateful for I know in some parts of this world there are people who have never ever even seen a snowflake.”

Now how’s that for a change in attitude this snowy Friday morning?

I like keeping something to write with on me, but I usually lose those tiny notebooks from drug stores and all my thoughts or notes to myself are lost forever.  Someone recommended that I try keeping writing journals on my person, so as not to lose them so easily.  I found this great journal with the phrase, “She decided to start living the life she’d imagined” emblazoned on its cover.  It’s a really cool book that I can fit into my back pocket or in my bag.  It’s memorable enough that I don’t think I’ll leave it at a store while I’m trying to write down a scarf that I may want to buy later. 

These days, I’m finding that it’s extremely helpful to keep track of my thoughts and goals in a journal.  It harkens back to my days as a young adult and while it may come off as juvenile, keeping a personal journal allows me to maintain my day-to-day life with great ease.

Eventually I came across the Achieve Every Day Journal, a simple, yet beautifully bound notebook.  I seldom have found hardcover journals that I like, either due to poor stitching or ugly cover designs, but Achieve has such an understated look that I’m not ashamed of taking my book out in public with me. 

Many people keep multiple journals. If you’ve never considered this aspect of journaling, you might be in for a pleasant surprise. When would you want to write in multiple journals? Is it really necessary?

A daily journal is generally free form, a capture of thoughts as they occur every day. Random thoughts written in free form text style can be anything about your experiences today, to aspects that you wish to hone in on regarding your feelings.

Keeping another journal in addition to your daily journal might be to acknowledge a specific theme about a particular subject or hobby. It could reflect an extension of your personal interests and can be used as needed.

Examples of themed journals might be:

• travel journal,
• photography journal,
• sketching journal,
• hiking or physical activity journal,
• gardening journal,
• fishing journal,
• spiritual journal,
• gratitude journal,
• weight loss journal,
• … and the list is endless depending on your interests.

You can use your themed journal to compliment the practice of daily journaling, and to enhance the hobbies you enjoy. Keeping multiple journals can be likened to having many friends. Some friends you wouldn’t hesitate to ask to join you in certain activities, others, you wouldn’t dream of asking them. Selecting a specific journal is like talking to a friend who shares that particular interest with you.

Multiple journals each provide a specific focus. When you sit down to write, you already know the direction of your thoughts depending on the subject of the journal. You have narrowed down your topic, and may find it easier to write.

If you want a change of pace from continually writing in a daily journal, consider expanding your thoughts with multiple journals. It’s similar to visiting a different place, being in a different space and time.
This web log’s motto is… “One can never have too many journals!”

When would you want to write in a physical journal as opposed to an online computer journal? I guess that depends on the person. I have both.

When I first got my laptop, I was so excited. I wanted to write and spend time on the computer, so I went in search of online journal software and downloaded a package. The first few weeks, I would fire up the laptop and sit for a few hours rapidly typing away, storing my entries by calendar day, and using the software prompts. Then reality hit. Work took precedence on the computer, and then online journaling took a back seat. I soon went back to my pen and paper journal.

Unlike my laptop, which gives me huge muscles when I cart it around, I can shove a pen and a paper journal (any size) in my bag and I’m on my way. I am the type of journal writer who likes to sit on a park bench at lunch time, and watch the world go on around me. While I watch I take note and in my journal write whatever comes to mind. I do see people with their laptops balanced on their knee. I wonder if they are working or enjoying some journal writing time.

The other thing I like about a paper journal is it’s concealable. If I am having a grumpy time with someone, and letting all my thoughts out on paper, I will certainly want to make sure the journal remains hidden. Yes, it’s true you can set a password on a computer file, but then you have to remember it. Sometimes I just don’t want all those personal thoughts in a file where, when my computer is down and being fixed, Mr. Computer Techie decides to go snooping and has a good read of my entries.

It is true, if my bag gets stolen, the same thing could happen, where Mr. Bag Robber also has a good read, but I would hope in his case that he is not interested in a book, but more the wallet and saleable items.

It’s a comfort thing too. To me computers are for serious work. If I do have an entry I want to preserve (perhaps for a future article), I will certainly write online. But writing in a paper journal is fun, relaxing and can be done anywhere, anytime. Just flip it open, no power up required, other than flicking the top of my pen.

What are your thoughts on Paper vs. Online Journals for your writing needs?

When you go shopping for a pair of shoes, it takes time to find the right ones, with a comfortable fit, something that will last, and hold up considering wear and tear. Selecting a journal to write in can be the same depending on your needs.

You may wish to determine the type of journal you want, prior to purchasing one, or you might just fall in love with a journal the minute you pick it up. This is great if you are in a store and can touch the journal and look inside. Not all stores carry a vast selection of journals. You might prefer shopping online for that one special journal. If you do, then you may want to think about the type of journal you are looking for.

Here are a few questions to get you thinking about what the right journal might be for you:

• Are you looking for a simple notebook to jot ideas?
• Do you want a bound book that will travel with you for miles and miles, jostling in a backpack?
• Do you need something to write in when out in nasty weather (e.g. field notes)?
• What about a leather journal, small and compact, for your motorcycle tour?
• Perhaps you like your journal and want it to be refillable to add to it.
• Do you want to sketch in addition to writing your thoughts?
• Is your writing neater if contained on lined pages, or is scribbling on a blank page your style?
• Is the journal a gift? What type of journal would suit the recipient?
• Does size matter?

Another aspect of keeping a journal is to figure out if it will be archived - saved for years so that the grand children and great-grandchildren can enjoy your thoughts. A sturdy acid free journal would be beneficial in this case.

One consideration too is the cost. When purchasing a journal as a gift, you might be tempted to spend a little more money. If it’s for yourself, you might spend a little less. You might not care.

A journal doesn’t have to be anything more than a binder with some 3 hole punched sheets inside. Just as a pair of shoes need not be more that a pair of flip flops. But, there are those occasions where you want something a little nicer, a little sturdier, something which fits your style, thus enabling you to write with flare. If you are stepping out with style in a new pair of shoes, why not try stepping out with a new journal?

Some people who want to keep a journal, often times have trouble just getting started. Journal prompts are an effective tool when writing. If you’ve just purchased a journal, or been given one as a gift and your favorite pen is lying idle in your hand as you stare at the first blank page, what do you do? The panic starts and your mind cries, “Oh no, what do I write about?”

For starters, don’t write on the first page. Flip the first page over, start on the next flat page. Better yet, leave a few pages for a journal table of contents.

On the first page of the journal, you could just write the date in the center, or add a content title, e.g. ‘My Travel Journal…’, or ‘This Personal Journal is Property of Jane, HANDS OFF’. The first page is now written on and it’s not so intimidating staring at a book and trying to find words to fill it. You are automatically forced to the next page.

Okay, so you’re at the next page, and your brain is still screaming, “What do I write about.” especially if this is a journal class assignment, yikes! Don’t panic. There are Journal Prompts to help you. These are one sentence prompts which allow you to add your own thoughts and ideas onto the ending, which make a great tool when keeping a journal and the mind has no ideas.

An example of journal prompts:

• Night crawls across the horizon, covering my world with darkness. It’s not the only darkness I feel. Sometimes I …
• The jet streaks across the sky leaving a white trail of hope and excitement. Soon I will be landing into …
• Today, as I watch the kids playing in the back yard, I am reminded of …
• Work made for a long day. I wish that one day I could …

Paraphrasing the Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of a journal is to keep a book, where the writer records his/her daily experiences, thereby creating a permanent account, kept for information.

Delving into this meaning, the book can be anything from:

• loose leaf sheets of paper or fine writing paper, which are inserted into a refillable journal;
• spiral notebooks;
• hardcover journals;
• leather bound journals;
• notebook journals;
• to a sketchbook.

The book could be lined, blank, made for art medium or pen and pencil.

A writer who keeps a journal is anyone who wishes to write their thoughts on paper. The record could be of daily thoughts and actions – similar to keeping a diary, “Today I had the time of my life when…”. It might be a recording of in-depth ideas on a particular subject, or emotional thoughts that need to be released therapeutically without an audience. The record could be something as simple as writing down favorite quotes.

A journal is a permanent account, but only when the author chooses to make it so. Some people who keep journals have volumes and volumes, created and collected over years of writing, stored in home libraries. Others have small notebooks strewn about, kept close at hand for writing urgent thoughts, tossed when full and no longer needed. Some journals never see the light of day, hidden carefully away each night, the owner hoping it remains private.

Is a journal kept for informational purposes? In some cases yes, when the writer wishes to remember ideas and thoughts and share them with family and friends, or one day have them published. In other cases - no - the thoughts of the writer must find their way to paper as a release only, temporary; a writing never to be viewed again.