Dear Diary, What's a Journal?
By Sara Jamison
Many people feel that a diary and a journal are the same thing. In a sense, they are both very similar. But if you’re looking for something where you can be extra-creative, that helps you delve deep into your inner thoughts, one that provides a different writing prompt to get you up and writing immediately, then a journal would be more the thing for you. A diary, specifically, is set up to explain the details of a vacation, travel, or your life in general. It is created to record daily events and happenings, rather than personal feelings or emotions.
Before you begin keeping a journal, you must first be persistant and dedicated to writing in it as much as possible. That is what makes a journal consistant with your life so as to make it represent a timeline of your feelings and thoughts. And journaling doesn’t have to be boring and unexciting. You can buy many materials such as fun colored pens, bright books, and stickers to further decorate your journal. But be sure it fits your needs. If you plan on carrying your journal with you wherever you go, you should settle for a smaller, more durable book.
Journaling starts somehwere, but it depends on your personal preference. Many people like to start their entries with an idea or a word, while others prefer to start off with a question and work from there. For example, a journal writer may start with basic words and write either feelings that come to their mind regarding this word, or by freewriting whatever they can in a specified amount of time. For example, “Admit.” “Perfect.” “Home.” “Family.” “Starting over.” Many of these words or phrases could start a journal entry about almost anything imaginable. Other journal writers prefer to start with a question or prompt. For example:
- Describe your favorite childhood friend and something you did with him or her.
- What are you scared of?
- Confess a sin.
- Describe your dream God -- if God could be anything you wanted, what qualities would he/she have?
- Tell a bedtime story.
- I feel close to...
Also, books that I have found that have been great for story starters for me, anyway, are “The Idea Catcher” and the book of questions called “If.” There are various versions and varieties of this book, considering the fact they made more than one! :) I have found myself that they have great questions that can prompt a writing spree at any time.
Some people prefer to have illustrated journals. They may write quotes, cut and paste pictures or clippings from magazines or newspapers that mean something to them, or they may place stickers and momentos to create a collage. These kinds of journals don’t necessarily dig into your daily life or your emotions, but tthey do help a person find out more about themselves and the world around them. It can be a great way to encourage self-discovery.
Some journals are made in a more organized fashion. Each written entry can be dated, and may have a subject or such. For example, they could place looseleaf paper in a binder with separators and label them for particular feelings, such as “exciting,” “joy,” “sadness,” etc. or can be labeled by what kind of writing exercises they are, such as “Freewriting,” “What if’s?” “Questions,” “Words and phrases,” etc. etc. Remember the journal is yours and you may organize it however you please.
Journaling is a great way to find yourself, answer life’s problems by sitting down and focusing on them, and it is great emotional therapy. I have noticed with my journals that it is always fun to look back at integral times in my life and see what was going through my mind. It’s not only therapuetic, but fun to look back and recall the memories and events in your life.
About the Author:
Sara Jamison may be contacted by email at sarajamison@hotmail.com.
Article courtesy of www.suite101.com.
