How to Keep a Journal
What are the Correct Journal Writing Techniques?
If you want to know the right journal writing techniques and exactly how to keep a journal, you will not find such specifics here, or probably anywhere. Keeping a journal is not about step-by-step instructions. Journaling is about the freedom to express yourself, letting out your feelings, keeping track of your life, and anything else you want to do.
What if you are Completely New to Journal Writing?
We all need to start somewhere with everything we do. Don’t feel ashamed because you don’t know how to keep a journal. It is very easy.
1. Get a Journal.
The very first thing you need to do is to get a journal. You can use anything you want. If you are a simple person or love to save a buck, get a spiral-bound notebook. If you want to feel sophisticated or just want something pretty, use a beautiful leather journal or fancy hardbound book. If you want, you could even use your computer such as journaling software or even just a word processor. Also, don’t forget to have something to write with.
2. Decide on a Time to Write.
When you begin writing in a journal you should pick a time to write. The best thing would be to write everyday and having a specific time put aside each day will definitely help you achieve that. Of course, you might find you don’t want to write so frequently or you like to write when the moment strikes. That’s fine, but remember: the less often you write, the less likely you will keep writing.
3. Do Some Brainstorming.
If you don’t know what to write about right away, spend a few moments thinking about what to write about. If you still can’t think of anything, then just write whatever comes to your mind. Sometimes when we have a time set aside to write, we need some extra thinking time. If you write when you have something to say, you will need less or no brainstorming time.
4. Just Write.
The final main and important thing you will need to do is write. Don’t make journal writing a big spectacle. Don’t spend hours and hours thinking about what you should write and trying to figure out how you should write it. Just get it down and don’t look back.
Don’t proofread what you write. You can look at it later, but not to make corrections. Just let the pen or keys flow until you are satisfied.
One Last Final Note
Make sure you like what you are doing and you are getting something out of it. If you dread your journal writing time or get really bored and just want to stop after your first sentence. Don’t force it. I feel bad saying this because I love journal writing myself, but don’t do it if you don’t like it.
People may tell you that keeping a journal will be great for you whether it’s to complete a goal, or discover yourself. Make sure you write because you want to and not because you should. Of course, give yourself at least a couple weeks before you give up. Hopefully, you will find it as fulfilling as the rest of us!