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Pen & Paper: Why is Journaling Important?
Welcome to the first official column for Pen & Paper: Living Between the Lines. Last month, I announced this brand new monthly column written by the amazing Hope Wallace Karney. To learn more about Hope and the column, please check out the announcement post! This month’s column is incredible, filled with juicy gems of wisdom.
Why is journaling important?
I have read different people’s reasons as to why journaling is good for you. There are several schools of thought on the subject, I personally love the words of Samara O’shea on the topic, that I have shared below, based off a quote from Anne Frank:
I want to be useful or bring enjoyment to all people, even those I’ve never met. I want to go on living even after my death! And that’s why I’m so grateful to God for having given me this gift, which I can use to develop myself and to express all that’s inside me! —Anne Frank, April 5, 1944
For a thirteen year old, Anne Frank was insightful and mature. For a hostage, she was remarkably hopeful. I’m so glad that she wrote it all down—the curiosities, the fears, and the inundating declaration, “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” She did exactly what she set out to do—as expressed perfectly in the above quote. She’s affected the lives of many people she’s never met, and she’s still alive long after her tragic death. I’m sure her diary was the ultimate escape. She used it to travel far away from her immediate circumstance and to discover the uncharted territory of her burgeoning mind.Not all of us will have our dairies or journals as I call them (in my world there is no difference) published in several languages as Anne Frank did, but that doesn’t make them any less significant. I think the more important part of her passage is the second half, “. . .which I can use to develop myself and express all that’s in me.” That should be our takeaway—the desire to develop and express ourselves.
Often times when I tell people about my second book—Note to Self: On Keeping a Journal and Other Dangerous Pursuits—they say, “I tried to keep a journal once and it didn’t really work.” I tried several times, too, before it worked. The way I made it work was I stopped getting mad at myself if I didn’t write everyday, and I stopped expecting myself to write down the exact details of the day. Basically, I broke the journal-writing rules, and, as a result, I was able to keep a journal. Many journals. Now, sometimes six months will go by and I don’t write at all, while other times I write each day. Some days I write an epic poem, and other days I only write two sentences. I am the policy maker for my journal, and the policy is, “Write what feels right.” Keep this in mind if you’d consider trying a journal again. It’s worth it! We need to check in with ourselves and seeing our thoughts come alive on paper is a meaningful and profound way to do it. Anne Frank and I strongly advise you to continually develop yourself and dare to bring forth all that is inside. – Samara O’shea
It is important to everyone for these reasons, and for their own reasons. Your own story needs to be told, documented. It is a healthy practice that can bring you joy, help reduce stress, document your life for future generations, etc..
If you are reading this article you are already journaling, or have an interest. So ask yourself, what is it that draws you in? What makes you want to journal? How do you feel if you don’t have a chance to capture your thoughts and emotions regularly? How do you feel after you do? There are a lot of reasons that journaling is good for you – but the one that matters most is why it is important to YOU (and that in itself is a perfect journaling prompt).
Why do I journal?
I have several types of journals. For years when I was younger I kept a diary that was a journal of just my writings. Other times I would have collage journals with just images that spoke to me. Eventually I started keeping some that had ideas and random thoughts in it, and more recently I have begun combining all of them into my art journals. This is how I tell my story – and as the current Starbucks marketing campaign tells us ‘stories are gifts – share’.
My eighty year old dad is really funny about my journals, he loves looking at them, but he is adamant about my making sure that if something happens to me, that someone in the family will get my journals. He sees them as record of not only my life, but of the lives of the people I love. He is right – with journaling, no matter what venue you use to journal, you are not just telling your story. Other people’s stories gets entwined in it as well, whether it is someone close to you who upset you, someone who you just fell in love with or a person whose work endlessly inspires you. You may not even mention them, but your tone of voice and style of documenting will reflect them.
For me, a lot of times if I am not writing (for though my journals do involve art, they also have quite a bit of writing) I find it makes me feel off balance – my thoughts start to overflow in my mind and I cannot think as clearly as I would like. Writing relieves the pressure, giving my imagination the room it needs to breathe.
Other times when I am feeling especially tristful or anxious, journaling helps me work through what is bothering me. Sometimes I just need to rant and rave about my bad day, or a project I am working on that is bringing me down. It helps to get it out rather than bottle it up.
I love the feeling of sitting in my studio with my favourite papers and pens surrounding me and working diligently in my journal. Equally, I love sitting in a cafe with a Moleskine jotting down my thoughts and impressions. It makes me feel alive, empowered and in charge of my own life.
You may be journaling and not even realize it…
Do you keep a notebook in your purse/pocket to jot down thoughts, ideas or fleeting wishes?
Do you tear pages out of magazines that inspire you and keep them in a binder?
Do you have a file full of images and paint samples you dream of using on a kitchen renovation someday?
Do you have a blog? Tumblr or Flickr account?
Do you take photos and keep them in an album?
Do you collect quotes you hear and resonate with?
All these things tell a story, about you or your life and documents it for yourself and others to see. So all of these things are ways of journaling.
One of my friends started blogging as a way to record the every day memories of her kids life. I have a flickr stream where I have a set for every trip I have taken since 2004. I love being able to go back in time and relive the happy moments. However, I started making Souvenir (travel) journals for each trip, where I add ephemera, writings and photos that I enjoy looking at even more. Having the trip documented in a tangible form that I can get up and look at whenever I wish is so much more fulfilling to me then looking on my laptop.
Same with all my journals – I love to flip through them, remembering the moments I captured in art and words. One of my favourite journals to look through is the one I was working on while planning my wedding all they way up to the actual event. When I see my entries from that time, I can relive the excitement I felt, and remember some of the little things that I may have forgotten since. Also, at times I can start to see patterns of how I react to situations and feelings I may have – this has helped me grow as a person, working to extricate the negative thinking I sometimes fall victim too, and focus on the positive thoughts I have.
I encourage you to try journaling (if you are not already a journaler) any way that feels right for you – you can always expand in the future.
Once a month I plan to introduce you to different types of journaling, talented visual journalers, books to inspire you, tips to help you journal, prompts and more – so please grab pen & paper and join me for the ride!
I would love to hear why you journal (or what is holding you back) – feel free to leave a comment letting me know.
Related "ripples" you might enjoy:
- Pen & Paper: Overcoming Your Journaling Fears
- Pen & Paper: Journaling the Non-Beautiful
- Pen & Paper: Journaling with a Buddy
- Pen & Paper: Journaling E-Course Giveaway!
- Pen & Paper: 13 Books for Journaling Inspiration
This entry was posted on Monday, December 20th, 2010 at 7:00 am and is filed under Creativity & Inspiration, Guest Bloggers, Pen & Paper. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
21 Responses to “Pen & Paper: Why is Journaling Important?”
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by torforgeauthors and Spring Inspiration. Spring Inspiration said: New Post by Carolyn: Pen & Paper: Why is Journaling Important? http://ow.ly/1ax4KA [...]
Twitter: ihanna
says:
Great post Hope! I have written several times about journaling on my blog, I write because I have too. Journaling grounds me. :-)
iHanna´s last blog ..Picasso dog
Twitter: carolynr
says:
I couldn’t agree more with you and Hope! “Journaling grounds me” – perfectly stated.
I have been journaling since I was in high school. I am 47 yrs. old now and I kept some of my journals over the years. I look back at my entries sometimes and see “where I was” during certain times and how I have changed and grown. I learned so much from Meditating and Journaling and it helps me to focus on positive things I need to work toward and share my sadness, anger, love, joy and all i feel to God and myself. It’s something only betwee the 2 of us and it helps me stay grounded and feel better about letting my feelings out to the One that Always understands me because Most things I would Like to share with anyone; they would not understand and/or judge me and when I journal, I dont need judgement, just unconditional love and support!
Twitter: samaraoshea
says:
It’s an honor to be mentioned on your beautiful, uplifting blog. Thank you Carolyn! I look forward to joining your cyber circle.
Warmly,
Samara
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Thank you so much, Samara. I am grateful to Hope for including your beautiful words in her post!
Twitter: miscellaneaarts
says:
I love to journal, but–like you and Samara (her books looks awesome, btw)–I don’t have rules about my journals–no rules about how often I must journal or what must or must not go in them. Though, I do feel better when I journal more regularly–both that I get things out onto paper and, therefore, can better process them and also that journaling makes me feel like I’m paying more attention to myself, my feelings, my life.
Angelique´s last blog ..Comment on 1 word 4 2010 by miscellanea
Twitter: carolynr
says:
Samara’s books are awesome – they have a permanent spot on my bookshelf :). I also don’t have rules about when I journal and find because I don’t have “rules” I actually approach journaling more often. It doesn’t become another thing I have to do, but rather something I truly want to do!
Twitter: JournalChat
says:
Hope,
I was absolutely delighted and inspired by your post about why journaling is important to us as individuals. I’ve kept a journal for over 20 years, on my 49th personal journal currently! I also keep spiritual and dream journals. You can read about my journaling life through an interview with Kristin Donovan from Journaling Saves, if you’d like to get the full scoop: http://www.journalingsaves.com/journaling-interview-dawn-herring-of-journalchat.
But, back to your post.
“My eighty year old dad is really funny about my journals, he loves looking at them, but he is adamant about my making sure that if something happens to me, that someone in the family will get my journals. He sees them as record of not only my life, but of the lives of the people I love. He is right – with journaling, no matter what venue you use to journal, you are not just telling your story. Other people’s stories gets entwined in it as well, whether it is someone close to you who upset you, someone who you just fell in love with or a person whose work endlessly inspires you. You may not even mention them, but your tone of voice and style of documenting will reflect them.”
I absolutely love the idea of the fact that our journals contain not only our lives but those lives that are entwined with us who we write about. I see my journals as a legacy of my life and of The Creator’s faithfulness to me. It’s also a great way to unwind and let go of stress before sleep.
Thanks so much for what you have shared here.
I have chosen your post, Pen & Paper: Why is Journaling Important?, as the #JournalChat Pick of the Day for 12/20/10 for all things journaling on Twitter. I will post a link on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and my blog, Refresh with Dawn Herring.
You’re welcome to follow me on my @JournalChat account on Twitter for all things journaling. :)
Be refreshed,
Dawn Herring
JournalWriter Freelance
@JournalChat on Twitter
Twitter: sparkleblufaery
says:
I journal because it helps to clear my mind. I feel less stress about remembering things knowing that I am documenting it (that’s why you’ll see lots of to do lists and goal lists in my journals.)
I also just plain enjoy it. I love writing on painted pages, gluing in images and paper. If I go too long without working in my art journal, I start feeling out of balance.
Karis West´s last blog ..Altered Photo-Marker Coloring
Twitter: bonnierose
says:
Writing and sharing my life, my story .. is such a part of who I am.
I’ve always felt comfy being transparent and sharing my story in the written form..
journaling, art journaling. it’s all so very important..
xo hugs
bonnierose
I journal as a preservation tool. When I write I am so in the moment, but then the moment passes and I’m on to the next one. I just dug out a journal I wrote a couple of years ago and can hardly believe that it is my voice that I’m reading. I might remember the episode but not the intense feelings I had at that moment. Maybe I just have a terrible memory (not maybe!) but journaling helps me to preserve and revisit a time and place that was fleeting.
I have 7 years of gratitude journals. I’m thinking of an art journal next. I love the Anne Frank quote. Amazing and wise soul was she!
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog ..A Gift In Goodbye- A Legacy of Love
Writing helps me to validate my thoughts. Mostly I journal prayers. And I keep a list of 10 things I’m happy about as I’m learning to live positively. I have a blog seizethej.blogspot.com. I’m inspired by reverb 10 as I haven’t been able to write anything recently. I love the questions they ask. Love your art in your journals! Keep this up! I’m a fan.
Jan´s last blog ..What Are You From
Twitter: paperrelics
says:
It is so nice to read what everyone is saying – Thanks for sharing! I am going to explore all your links and/or twitters now!
Dawn, thank you for choosing this post for the #JournalChat post of the day.
Keep your reasons why you journal coming! And I hope you will all check back next month for the next installment of Pen & Paper!
x-hope
Twitter: jenp1969
says:
When I’m alone and feeling low – perhaps when traveling for work or whatever – my journal actually feels like a companion!
It might sound silly but when I have my journal with me, I feel like I’ve got someone to talk to.
As a result, I am now less scared about traveling on my own and even went to Africa alone this year! It’s strange how empowering a journal can be.
Jennifer´s last blog ..Ignore this – it’s just for Technorati!
Loved the thoughtful post on journaling and agree with keeping it to what feels good for that moment. For me journaling is just something I do it naturally because it serves me well in my life being a creative person and it frees my mind up to go on to the next thing; it does the same thing for my emotions too.
Your photos of the illustrated journal took me back to my own journal in high school when I began to journal intensively, not out of a feeling of duty but of need to get my thoughts out of my head where I could see them. What a great place to process the things of life.
Patty Hicks´s last blog ..Winter Poem
I have two grown boys and I have kept a journal for each one since the day they were born with my thoughts and stories of things they were doing growing up. I also have a journal that is just for me. I love writing and was given that gift by my grandmother who also wrote all the time. She lived to be 104 and the story of her life and the people around her is documented in ways that will be remember for generations. The things she experienced will never be again.
I write because I believe we all have a story to write and I want the generations yet to come to know where they came from and to be able to relive the memories of the past through my stories.
It dosent matter what we have here on earth. What matters and last is the memories we leave behind. So for the generations that came before me thank you and for the generations yet to come Live You Life To The Fullest Without Any Regrets Everyday. As if it is you last and the people around you will have the best memories and gift you could ever give. The True You
Twitter: p2pjournaling
says:
What a beautiful piece of work and a beautiful array of comments. I feel inspired. I’ve grown up watching my mom write in her journal. It got her through so much. Now I have made the choice to keep my own journals. I too have a vast library of journals. My day to day journal, book journal, finances journal, health jounral, gratitude journal. The benefits and results are infinite. I recently googled journaling, I was curious about what’s out there. And I must say, I am so happy with what I found. There is a huge journaling world and network out there! Amazing. We recently started our own journaling website: Pen-to-Paper.com and blog: Just Write. What a great community to be involved in!
Thank you very much for your post! I am very interested in your points.
Glad you found my article of interest, and I hope you will continue to do so!