Two days ago in Why You Should Keep a Life Journal I argued that journaling offers both immediate and future benefits. Here are seven suggestions on how to attain those benefits:
- Set aside a regular time, but only write when you have something to say — don’t scribble drivel just because “it’s time.” Instead, use the time to pray, meditate, or read devotionally. Future You will benefit from these actions, as well.
- Focus. What’s the main thing rolling around inside your head or heart? Keep it fresh and to the point. Honestly, some of Former Me’s redundancies bore the packing foam out of Present Me! I prefer the word “journal” to “diary” because diary sounds too much like “diarrhea.” My point? Don’t just have a vowel movement, focus! Future You will thank you!
- Context. What’s going on around you? Mention context whenever it seems relevant. And consider bundling your journals with scrapbooky stuff (photos, event tickets, notes from friends). You don’t live in a vacuum, so don’t write in one.
- Capture the spectrum. Don’t just mourn your darkness, celebrate your light. Life is a comedy-drama—chronicle both. The only time I stopped journaling during the last four decades was between my honeymoon and the early years of my children’s lives (I was too afizz with joy to journalize). But, oh, how Present Me would love to read my thoughts and feelings during those times!
- Hatch ideas. If you’re a Creative, you’ll find the ideas that spring from your life experiences far more resonant than those merely trending on the web. Journals are an inspiration-rich compost heap for sprouting present day blog posts, songs, paintings, presidential acceptance speeches, etc.
- Read yourself. I review my previous year’s journal at the start of each new year, and my older journals when questions arise about “that time when…” And I read the whole epic saga every decade or so. Pinpointing where I am in the dramatic arc of my life has given me a perspective I could never otherwise have had.
- Write for others. This may sound contradictory to keeping a personal journal (and if strictly-off-limits is where you need to go, then go there). But at least consider what your literal or spiritual descendants might gain from reading your life and thoughts. I’d give just about anything to read journals from my father, mother, grands and greats. One day, my progeny will probably feel the same about reading mine (with a few pages carefully redacted to retain a PG-13 rating). Your children’s children will develop a unique and invaluable awareness of the roots from which they sprang…
And so will you.
“Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I heard Lee Habeeb respond to something on Our American Stories: “Empower your grandkids to tell your family story.” A legacy of journals would certainly boost that thinking!
Mitch, this is very helpful. I want to start journaling, and I’m currently reading “Writing and Being” by Nelson. I’m working through the book exercises, and one of my questions was how to review previous years. Your point about reading the previous year at the beginning of the new year and then reading the whole thing once in a decade just answered my question. Thank you very much.
My pleasure, Edward.
Well done! Great practical ideas!
Thanks, Howard!
Love this. I may have to start journaling using your methods. This old noggin of mine has reached its limit 🥸
;>)
I love these practical steps Mitch. I’ve been journaling since 1986 and have over 85 journals. I’ve told my kids that anything I wrote about them when they were still at home that sounds like I’m angry, to know that all things were resolved. I have no secret bitterness towards them, even if I forgot to journal how the conflict was resolved.
I’m challenged to go back and read them with my story arc in view. Just reading that from you has given me perspective on my current struggles.
Go for it, Debi.
I make it as much of a rule as possible, if I write about conflict, also to write about its processes of resolution. I do this for my readers, for my society and world ~ and for myself!
Well written, Mitch! 💫
Thank you, T!
My pleasure.
I’m actually taking a class on comic journaling. I’m terrible at it compared to all the other students (skilled artists).😂 On the other hand, it’s making me think about events that happen during the day and how I handled them or ran from them or simply prayed about them. So in that respect, it’s proving to be a successful class.
My journals are in books that I wrote. They are not journal form I just “borrowed” snippets from their and my life. If you read Murder on Lake Haverly and knew me when I was a Realtor you will recognize the main character. Most of the others I changed the names to protect the guilty.
;>)
JUST as I was wondering what to write for my Presidential acceptance speech! Thanks, Mitch!
;>)
This is very helpful, Mitch! Journaling helps me unwind the tangled ball of yarn in my head but has also been such a gift to look back on. I was just thinking this week how sad I am that I have vast chunks of time missing… but all the more reason to be faithful now 🙂
I know what you mean, Kara.
This is interesting and something I have been thinking about doing. There is a small blog I follow called Arrowheads Up the Hill https://arrowheadsupthehill.net/ and this woman has the journals of her Great-Grandfather. They start from January of 1943 and it’s currently on 1948. She copies out one page per day for mostly her relatives because she is an author. I liked it because it’s a kind of unique perspective. Anyway. I think the idea of journaling every day has a lot of merit to it.
How cool that she has those journals–and is sharing them with others, Herb!
Love the metaphor of ‘hatching ideas’!! Linda 🙂
I have been SO busy recently & so regretful that I haven’t kept up with the blogs I follow. It is certainly a loss. I am SO glad that this post of yours in the one I chose to read right now. It is a treasure.
Last summer I gave a presentation at our local library, open to the public, about being a successful blogger. The turnout was very good, people very engaging & I sold a number of my second book. After reading your post, I am very sorry I hadn’t read this couple of lines that you wrote that are simply WONDERFUL & DELIGHTFUL. & should be shared with everyone that has the desire to write / blog:
“I prefer the word “journal” to “diary” because diary sounds too much like “diarrhea.” My point? Don’t just have a vowel movement, focus! Future You will thank you!”
I can think of NO better advice to pass along & had I read it & been able to pass it along, I would certainly have given you credit for it although (it is just so clever, it would have been really cool if it HAD been my own.)
Why, thank you, Linda.
Great post, Mitch. I’ve journaled off and on for 30 years. I found one recently from the early 2000s and I winced at some of my remarks and beliefs… I’m not the same person any more, but it’s interesting to note the changes. Not sure any of my existing ones will be for future generations…too personal… but I can always start a more “family friendly” journal for my descendants 😎
And then one day when you’re long gone someone will make a holographic movie based on The Secret Journals of Darryl B. ;>)
Very good pointers!
I’d also give just about anything to read journals from my father, mother, grands and greats, Mitch.
And vowel movements? Love it! 😂🤣
;>) Thanks, Sandy.
Great tips for journaling without vowel movements, Mitch. Undoubtedly, there are many fun doodles in your journals. 🙂
;>)
Those are great tips! Especially for those of us who want to journal regularly, but tend to view it as self-indulgent. How I wish my father had kept “real” journals, now that he is gone. But all he kept were daily schedules of what he did, with no hint of how he felt about it all. For that reason, I’ve kept many notebooks of his sermon outlines…those do give me insight into what he really thought and believed!
They may not be journals per se, Ann, but I’m so glad you have them!
I’ve kept some of my cogitations over the years, but not a life journal, per se. What I do have is a notebook-journal begun in 1983 focused on God’s faithfulness to our family–his provision, protection, and direction. (Have I mentioned this here before? If so, I apologize for the repetition!) There are over 1500 entries now. Though not always very introspective, I do celebrate the Light highlighted by the miracles–great and small–and always receive encouragement from reviewing them. I pray our children and grandchildren will receive encouragement and strengthened faith from it as well.
A true family treasure, Nancy!
Mitch,
That is how history was recorded. Someone put down their story and others read first hand info. Always fun. Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
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Very helpful! Journaling is so good for mental health and self awareness
It is indeed.
Useful!!
Loved it …
This is very helpful for those who would love to start journaling
I do journal …
Years after years, these are piles of memories and short notes of ideas and thoughts –
Our expressions know no bounds there – I love that a lot!
Lastly the quote – a love ❤️
Be an opener of doors for such as come after thee.”
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
So glad this resonated with you, Roksana.
Yes … absolutely…
Thanks to you dear Mitch!
This guide encourages a fresh perspective on journaling as a creative outlet.”I completely agree with can you suggest me more like this ebook https://sgsjournal.livejournal.com/752.html“.