Journals and Papers

Writing a personal history is a daunting task for many of us. Where do I start? What things should I include? What’s so interesting about my life anyway?

Your personal history, however, is a very important part of your family history, and no one will be able to tell your story better than you. You can start off small, by keeping a personal journal. Or, you can capture your entire personal history by working through the questions in this great tutorial for writing your personal family history from arduous research. If you really can’t face writing about yourself, then a family newsletter may offer an interesting alternative. It’s a fun way to capture some of your family’s personal history for future generations.

What comes to mind when you think of a writing 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.

I was recently at a journaling seminar where a discussion ensued about the types of journals. One lady mentioned that between their families, they used letter writing as a form of communication between family members, and wondered if that could be classified as keeping a journal. I think it could be. It is a dated account of events and a journal is defined as an account, a record of daily experiences, and what better way to record these than in a letter to loved ones.

I don’t know how many of us have a drawer full of old letters from family members, friends or lovers. If you do, consider yourself fortunate. These are thoughts that your loved ones were willing to share - unlike a journal, where most likely hide it away.

In recent years, letter writing has taken a twist to the contemporary, with any type of paper being used. Prior to the nineteenth century, letter writing was an art, where special papers were used, with quill pen and sealed wax emblem. If you want to get creative with your letter/journal, try surprising them with some fancy Amalfi paper, handmade from Italy.  Its lush decaled edges demand serious attention.

If writing in a journal doesn’t appeal to you, but writing to friends and relatives about your thoughts, then what a treasure you are passing on! 

My dad loves to write anything under the sun.  He can go on the whole day just writing about anything that comes to mind, he finds a sense of fulfillment knowing that he didn’t miss any thoughts he had in mind and kept it in a journal.

That is why I was thrilled to find a nice assortment of fine leather journals at this online store. Since father’s day is just around the corner, I couldn’t think of a better gift than this to give to my dad who has a great passion for writing.

It has always been part of my everyday routine to update my personal journal.  For me, this is my own private way of expressing emotions from life’s daily experiences. It was great to find quality journals at your online store. The variety offers different styles for every journal needs.

I love the idea that I get to keep my journals in fine elegant papers, all bundled in a nice and durable leather; perfect to ensure that my journal would surely last a lifetime.

Penmanship otherwise know as handwriting is defined as the art of writing with the hand and writing with an instrument. Handwriting styles existed based on the period when the writing was done and varied in script formats (see calligraphy). Our English has changed from formal to a somewhat slang version and is changing rapidly with the onset of Internet, email and instant messaging.

Have we lost the art of penmanship and writing on paper? Do people still write letters, or has email taken over for communication? For those that still do write and consider a quality piece of paper worth investing in to send their message, there are several choices available.

There are many crafters who make a decent living at creating their own papers for use with handmade cards and tags and some are great for writing on. Acid free paper has become a norm when doing scrapbooking; of course there are hundreds of thousands of different types of papers used in the printing industry.

If penmanship is something you delve in, be sure to take note of the handmade papers from Italy. The ancient duchy of Amalfi, Italy is one of the oldest and most renowned papermaking centers in Europe. Cartiera Amatruda has produced fine stationery since 1380. From that area, the tradition has been to watermark paper with cities’ coats-of-arms, and some religious and heraldic symbols.

Today’s Amalfi Paper is crafted using traditional methods originally created in the middle ages. Made of the finest cotton rag, each deckle-edged sheet is crafted with penmanship and calligraphic writing in mind. For those wishing to create a lasting piece of writing, or to incorporate penmanship into a memorable event, then the Amalfi papers are something worth looking at.

When trauma, tragedy, life’s passages get us down, there seems only one way to cope with our feelings and thoughts. Keeping a journal through some of life’s more serious events helps us sort through our emotions and relieves some of the stress.

If you are grieving, angry, sad or depressed, spending quiet time writing in a journal can help ease the burden of your emotions. Some people use their journal to record events that happen during a traumatic event, such as going through a divorce, abuse, and health issues like cancer and major surgeries.

When you find it hard to let your feelings out with family members, friends or the clergy, talking to your journal can help. Start with free writing – write whatever comes to your mind. Don’t censor your thoughts. Let your pen take over and even if you end up with a scribbled mess that you can’t even read afterward, you will feel better having thrown your thoughts to the pages.

You may feel the need to write for several days, months or years. You will know when the time has come and you won’t feel the need to delve into those heavy feelings anymore. Then you can switch to a fresh journal and continue writing simply for the joy of it. Happy thoughts will come your way.

Does the type of journal you write in censor your inner voice? I’ve had journals that are bound so professionally, that I am afraid to crack the spine and really get into my writing mode. I try to write neat and tidy, thinking this might be the one journal I share with friends and relatives.

Then I find I can’t write at all. I sit there and stare at the elegant pages and try to figure out what to write. Sometimes, this is the case even when the journal is well worn, ragged and almost full. I’ve had times where I really want to write. I grab a pen, open up my journal and then end up sitting and chewing on the end of the pen for awhile before chucking the whole idea and tossing my journal back into the drawer.

I’ve discovered a few tips to free your inner voice and let your thoughts flow into your journal:

• determine the best time for you to write during the day or night when you are more receptive to your inner feelings
• know when you are full of energy or inspiration
• don’t be too quick to criticize your writing
• if you find interruptions are spoiling your time to journal, try to find a quiet space
• play some soft background music, or find a ‘back to nature’ space
• use tools like journal prompts
• pretend you are writing a letter to yourself or someone else
• let your hand do the writing, release your mind
• keep it fun, draw pictures

And finally, when thinking about writing in that intimidating journal - just go for it. Scribble a little. Even if there’s one mark on the page, it becomes a little less fearful to let go.

When I first started using Cavallini & Co.’s Moderno leather journals, I opened one up, after removing the cellophane and loved the smell of the new leather. I fondled it and thought, “Oh, this is way too nice to write in.” But then I thought that was quite silly, and went for it. Now I can’t wait to fill up my journal, just so I can get another one. It might make for quite a collection of thoughts a few years from now. My inner voice had full rights to the pages of this journal.

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?