I first started keeping a journal in the 4th grade as an assignment. After those first few attempts at recording my feelings about boys, playground sagas, and other 4th grade dramas, I was hooked.
The benefits of journaling are numerous. Journaling helps me:
- Record events so I won’t forget them
- Vent about my feelings in a way that I wouldn’t burden others with
- Process stress and see underlying issues that I need to work on
- Maintain balance in my life
- Choose goals to pursue
- Make decisions
- Record things I’ve learned
Over the years, my journaling has taken different forms—little locked diaries with the generic little gold key carefully hidden so a sibling wouldn’t find it, blank books, and electronic journals (a good one I’ve used for years is DavidRM’s The Journal). My favorite for the last year-and-a half has been keeping a handwritten journal in a large lined Moleskine.
So what type of journal should you use?
The answer to this will depend on several factors.
First, what kind of writing are you planning on doing? Would you mind if anyone discovered it?
If you’re going to be pouring out salacious details and are concerned about discovery, I would recommend an encrypted electronic journal like the one mentioned above.
If, however, you simply want to record your day or you have no fear of discovery, there are some benefits to keeping a handwritten journal. I really like using the Moleskines because the paper is smooth and acid-free. It just feels good to write in a Moleskine. If you do care about longevity of your writing, then you must also consider the ink that you use. Waterproof or water-resistant, non-acidic, archival quality ink is best. I’ve found some Uniball pens meet these requirements and also have a nice, smooth ink flow.
If you enjoy fountain pens, there are some options to choose from that will keep the ink from bleeding through the paper of a Moleskine. My personal favorite is a Lamy Safari fountain pen with a fine nib and filled with Noodler’s black ”Bullet-proof” ink. It’s an affordable, quality fountain pen that has been highly praised by Moleskine lovers.
Another question to ask yourself is when and where are you most likely to journal regularly?
This was one of the reasons I switched back to a handwritten journal. I missed my bedtime routine of writing about my day while in bed. However, you may find that you want to write about your day before it even begins! This could be while you’re sipping morning coffee sitting at your computer.
Do you plan to later compile your entries into a book?
If so, it may make more sense to use an electronic form so as to avoid having to later transcribe your writing.
Whether you decide to go handwritten or electronic, there’s likely to be a tradeoff.
For example, using archival-quality ink is useless if you lose your journal in a fire. Likewise, an electronic journal can suffer data loss if you’re not disciplined about backing up your data. Another thing I’ve noted that I miss when journaling electronically is the mood you can see in your handwriting. While going through some hard days in cancer treatment, my writing took a wild, scratchy form that mirrored the way I was feeling. Other times it is even and regular, even embellished with extra swirls and curls based on my moods. So a handwritten journal can become an artform that captures much that might otherwise be lost in an electronic journal.
If you keep an online blog, I’d still suggest you keep a personal journal.
There are simply things that most of us won’t be completely candid about in an online journal or blog. We have concerns about others’ privacy. We have concerns about work or family or someone else discovering the blog. Or maybe we find ourselves writing for an audience. When you keep a personal journal, you can have the freedom to write just for yourself if you wish. That’s a pleasure that is hard to duplicate in an online format.
Lastly, if you’ve never journaled before, don’t agonize over the format—just begin.
You don’t have to go out and buy a leather journal and a fountain pen. You can use whatever you have—a spiral notebook and a Bic pen, index cards, whatever! The point is to just get started. As you grow comfortable with journaling, you’ll start to learn what direction you want to take your journal. Journals offer incredible freedom for creativity! You get to set the rules for what your journal will be about and look like.
Stay tuned because tomorrow I’m going to write about how to journal for balance. You won’t want to miss this!
Photo courtesy of kiwanja.
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