The Joys of Journaling

I know there are some readers who journal religiously.

But this is for the rest of us.

First of all, let me say that blogging is not journalling. Journalling or keeping a diary is writing down on a regular basis the stuff that you don’t tell people. It’s simply the act of writing down your mental, spiritual, emotional and, at times, physical journey.

I journaled away most of my youth. From the age of 12 (I can still see that first journal, hardbound, thin, white with gilt edging, a gift from my beloved sister) through most of my 20s, journaling kept me sane.

And then, I met a man, fell in love, got happy, lost and found God, and went on a long, extended inner journey while having a rich and busy external life. Journaling (just as other creative endeavors, such as writing poetry) fell by the wayside.

Then of course, there was my several year infatuation with The Artist’s Way, who’s enforced daily journaling kills the idea of keeping a diary as anything remotely fun or intriguing.

But here I was, this last week, stumped creatively in my writing. Where would I go? So I started journaling, a little.

And it opened up creative doors. In just a few days, even my dreams are richer. I cannot commit to it daily, but I will do it regularly. Nighttime is best for me, morning journaling is painful and the day is too busy. But at night, in bed, pen in hand, with a notebook…ah, there lies destiny!

Try it, you might enjoy it!