I have kept journals...diaries, as I called them when I was younger, for over 30 years. It is interesting to read the ones from my childhood days and see how innocent those days were...or my high school diaries when all I talked about were boys...or actually, one boy in particular who didn't even know I was alive!!
I still enjoy writing but tried a couple different forms of journaling this past year. I made a combination journal and picture scrapbook putting in pictures from magazines, movie stubs, etc.
I also did some "free writing" where you just write for 10 minutes, nonstop...very interesting to read a few days later!!
I also keep all my wall calendars and daily planners, those are a form of journaling, too.
I have also used writing to heal from a traumatic event in my life. If you have experienced something hurtful in your life has writing been helpful for you? Also, besides writing I like to make magazine collages to express what I am feeling...both have been helpful to me.
Does anyone else enjoy journaling or collaging?
peace,train
Hi train. I have journaled alot in my life. Not daily or anything like that but periodically. My journals are mostly written word, quotes, some rough sketches and pictures from magazines, etc.
Last year, I went through all my old stuff that I had kept (much of it I had already discarded). It was great to read through them and see where I had been in life. I felt very free to discard much of the stuff dealing with things that were dead and buried--I didn't feel guilty or anything. I also don't regret getting rid of it. I kept things that I thought really reflected me so that if any of my ancestors is interested in just who I was, it would be there. I have even kept some of my school work from college on subjects that I thought I did a really good job in or that affected me in profound ways.
I've been keeping a journal since my teens also. At first it was kind of a "dear diary" thing. Later I began to write as though talking to my dearest friend and most trusted confidante. For the last couple of years I've been including my daily meditation -- I copy out the scripture for that day, and then record my thoughts, questions, prayers, conclusions. Journalling has been a great tool for personal growth.
Me, I'm a calander writer, but my Grandmother kept journals for years and after she died I got all her journals. 80+ years worth! They are awesome. I love reading them! So mch info, so much I didn't know about her. Geneaolgy (sp?) info beyond belief. She was a mid-wife and had ton's of info on all 'her' families.
I think the idea of journal writing is a great idea and hobby
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Do or do not. There is no try
- Yoda Jedi Master
I had diaries when I was around 12 to 14 and wish I had them now. It would be fun to see what I wrote about because all I remember writing was about my best friend and the boys we liked.
About 15 years ago I took a writing course and started keeping a journal. I don't write every day, in fact sometimes it's only once a month, but I write about what is happening with my family and important events in our lives and in the world. I add comments and beliefs that are important to me and maybe some day will be important to my kids.
I'm also writing a "book" for my kids about my life with info about my relatives. We moved 300 miles away when they were little so they don't know much about the aunts, uncles, and cousins I was so close to growing up in the 40s and 50s. When we made short visits it was to see their grandparents with not much time for them to know other relatives. I think this is a great idea for everyone to do for their families because we don't always remember the family stories we are told when we are young.
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JD
"Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands." ~Anne Frank
The first time I did journaling was as an older student in college. It was an assignment from an English teacher. Of course, you had to be careful what you wrote as she was going to read it. One time, I missed a few days of journaling and put the same date on 5 days of the journal, but each page was actually the happenings of a different day. Her written comment on my journal was, "My, you had a busy day today". From then on, I dated each day on the day it happened even if they were all written down on the same day.
I've heard that journaling helps stress. I don't journal anymore, but have some e-mail pals who listen to me vent and I do the same for them. It helps relieve stress for me.
Yes I did alot in high school and when I was reunited with my dad after 25yrs I handed my journals to him and said "Read these and get to know me again" I was 7 when he left
Since the day my daughter was born I have been keeping one for her I wrote about when she was inside my tummy til the day she laid eyes on me...then I kept writing about her growing up and of course all the funny things she has said to me..She is 8 and it will be be a great memory when she sits down and reads them
I have had a journal ever since I was a teenager. (I am now going on 60). I plan out each day as to what I am going to do, and all the happenings in our lives. I recently got my grandmothers, who was 96 when she died. It is a treasure, and one I want to carry on for my kids, and grandkids. I mark all appointments in it as well, which has helped me tremendously, in my "senior moments". I write down all the things I want to accomplish for the day, and scratch them off as I finish them. I even plan my meals out, and write them down. I LOVE keeping a journal, makes me feel I am in control of my life.
Cafe
I started wring when I was in 4th grade...I made my own "diary" with index cards and a construction paper cover. My mom gave me diaries after that, which I kept through high school. In college I kept calenders...the 2 page kind that sit on your desk. Those are now gone, but I did buy "empty books" and later the nice journels. I am now 46 and have a combo of calenders and journels. someday, when our boys are out of the house I will likely go through and combine, throw out, sort and put into my genealogy. Some of this stuff was invaluable when I put together homechooling memory books for our boys. What a great resourse! ;-)
I don't write often enough in my current journel, tho I do kep trying. Life has just gotten so busy, that is one of the things I ususally let go....tho I shouldn't
I too kept a diary when I was a teenager, as a diary was a Christmas gift one year. In 1994 I started journaling when I was fired from a job. It was a good way to remember feelings and thoughts, to vent frustrations with my job search and keep an eye on my daily life. I am into my 4th small journal (the spiral bound ones you can see at your local CVS in the school and supplies aisle). When I first began these in '94, I used to write every day, but now it is less frequent. The observations sure help when I need to have some sort of mental clarity (does that make sense?!*).
Last August 2001, I was visiting my aunt in Sacramento, California. She has diaries from the next door neighbor who was my grandmother's very good friend. Norma, the maiden lady neighbor, kept the 4 year diaries between the 1930's - 1970's. It was extremely interesting to read these and get a glimpse of what life was like for Norma and her sister Eulah during the Depression, WW 2, and their daily lives (they lived together, never married, yet had by all accounts a wonderful life). Oh, for a simpler life!
I write down all the things I want to accomplish for the day, and scratch them off as I finish them. I even plan my meals out, and write them down. I LOVE keeping a journal, makes me feel I am in control of my life.
My writing 
