Why I Keep a Journal
Journals and why I have chosen to have one.
Journals! What are they about? What is to be gained from keeping a regular journal? I have been keeping journals for the past ten years now and the folders are really beginning to mount up! I used to hate writing but some how I always loved to read. I used to read, and still read mainly fiction. In some of the books that I have read in the past I would analyze the author’s writing style, and some of the author’s writings would be in the form of a journal. I then said to myself, I really like that, perhaps I could learn to write like that! It was then that I decided to put pen to paper and see for myself whether I could master this fine art! So, what do I write about when keeping a journal? I write about my life, as boring or as exciting as it is, I like to keep tabs on my thoughts, how I think and feel about things, present events and so forth.
Journals with Emotional Attachment!
The journals that I have been writing on a regular basis have been very emotional and there have been times when I would be putting my thoughts on paper, that I was reduced to tears! Why was I reduced to tears? There were times in the past when I would face crisis upon crisis, and I suddenly was forced to gather my thoughts! On these occasions I found the journal to be a wonderful form of release, I could empty my mind and fill the page with these words and ideas, and all of a sudden I would experience a sense of freedom! In my view a journal that has emotional content is very powerful! When you have experienced hardship, when you have undergone trauma, this makes for very powerful reading! I have now come to enjoy writing and I look upon it as a form of therapy. Some of my journals have been very serious whilst others have had an element of humour to them! Yes, I try to be a little humorous in my writings!
Journals! A Catalogue of Life Events!
Another good thing about keeping journals is the fact that you can record major events in your life and many years later, you will be able to refer back to your journals and you will also be able to see how you have progressed in life, how you have moved on. Journals are also a good thing in that you can leave a lasting legacy to your family, and I’m sure that they would gain immense pleasure from reading your thoughts on a specific period or event in your life. This is my hope in relation to my own journals.
Conclusion
Journals are a wonderful way of bringing out the creativity in you! Be creative, keep a journal and leave a lasting legacy of your precious life, something you will always be remembered by!
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Tags: creative writing, diary, journal
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September 30th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Nice article! I have been keeping a journal since the 6th grade. It’s a treasure and I’m beyond thankful that I have it.
Blessings.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.
October 2nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Great piece on journaling Andrew. Keep it up!
Two hours ago, I just reprinted an old article of mine, “Ideas into Writing… Keeping a Journal” – inspired by two new found friends.
If you have the chance, it’s at telscafe.wordpress.com
Kind regards,
Tel
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
Andrew, excellent thoughts! I have benefitted from journaling in the past, but struggle with taking the time to do it. Now I’m trying to bring it back, using short entries that have lasting impact.
October 5th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Great article. I’ve kept a journal since I was twelve, so I know the importance of it. Whenever I was feeling down I would write in it, and it made me feel better. Every writer should keep a journal.
October 8th, 2008 at 2:04 am
I want to thank everyone for the comments given on my article, I really appreciate this. I have joined Triond and so, this is my first article. Thanks again. Andrew
October 17th, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Nice article and so true. Be sure to keep journals for your children from the time they are born. I wish I had started earlier but I do keep journals of the funny things they say and do as well as their accomplishments and holiday highlights.
October 20th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Good article, I love to keep a journal.
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:29 pm
i too keep a journal. journal writing is the only way i can keep my thoughts together, but i do not intend on having them read by anyone else. too personal, to emotional.
great article.
November 28th, 2008 at 1:23 am
Journal?! I used to have it, but not anymore for some reasons. But when I read your article about it. It reminds me how important it is, i think i am going to have another one to start
.
Way to go Andrew, nice article!
December 4th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
I often go back and read my journals, some of my work published on Triond have blossomed out of journal entries.