For me, keeping commonplace books has worked the best, because i get too hung up on structure and organisation and pretty pages (like with bullet journaling). I keep two commonplace books, one digital one analog, one for keeping quotes and infos and one for deep thinking Happy New year!
@@kittmarie8285 commonplace books are originally meant for jotting down pieces of information you come across which you might need later, like good quotes or anecdotes etc, but the best thing about commonplace books is that it doesnt 'have' to be something definitive, without structure, so you can pretty much write anything down ! great place to start for journaling
I disagree. I like to skip ahead to a chapter if the current one isn''t relevant to me, and here the future chapters are extremely hard to see and impossible to read, until you've watched half the chapter already. Also, the "normal" timeline disappears when you remove the cursor, this one is embedded in the video the whole way, which I personally didn't like. Just my two cents. Edit: This video turns out to be a great example, because what I really wanted to know was if there are any good digital tools, and his experience with both analog and digital. That chapter happens to be the last one, and I had no idea it was there because I couldn't see it. If I saw it, it would have saved me some time flicking randomly through the video, listening for mentions on this.
From a user experience perspective, it’s not helpful and serves no purpose to have the slow reveal of the topics. It’s a cool effect at best, and kudos for making it, but idk that it adds value to the videos and it breaks some users way of watching as mentioned above. Your content, on the other hand, is very good.
Another of my all time favorite (but very intense method) is to set and timer and not pause for 10 minutes. Literally do not stop writing for any reason for 10 minutes. This was recommended by Matthew Dicks for storytelling. If you run out of thoughts - start writing colors or numbers. Eventually that will pivot you to a brand new story or experience. I was really shocked by the variety of stories that came out. Some I’d even completely forgotten about. Some were deeply personal and vulnerable. Others were silly. Especially if you’re seeking experiences to tell stories about, or you’re writing and autobiography. It’s a great way to tell your story.
we had to do this in my creative writing class. if anyone is to start this i would say they should start with a smaller time like 3 minutes and build up to the ten. but i found this a really fun process
One thing that make me stick with writing is having an ugly journal. It's a trashy notebook I didn't end up using for uni. I tear up pages, I paint them, I destroy, doodle, stick silly things. Not having a pretty, fancy journal relief the pressure of having to write pretty and not make mistakes. I really recommend it :)
I do this too but every time I open my ugly journal I wish I had a pretty one. But usually when I write I’m anxious or depressed so in the moment I don’t care how the pages or my handwriting look. My journal is a wreck but I wish I had one of those pretty, neat ones 😭
Nice! I’m the opposite, when I have an ugly journal I am less tempted to write in it than when I have a nicer one. It because a whole ritual. That and having a nice pen too!
I noticed this too because I started to write way more in my journal when it was just a random writting book tht was so old and had teared papers here and there and looked mudy lmao maybe it truly relived the pressure of writting neat and keeping it beautiful
Yeahh I do that same thing and I feel more chill about the mistakes I've made while journalling. The book I'm using for journalling is filled with miscellaneous things such as my doodle, reminder, to do list, n tips n tricks.
For the people that are not in the headspace to write, just openning the diary and writing "nothing" it is valid, useful and an honest journaling experience.
Huh I like that idea, personally I get a bit too hung up on trying to be consistent and have an entry everyday but I get blocked cause sometimes I have nothing to say. I think I'll try this
The beauty of journaling is that there's no restriction in what to journal. You could recap the best moments of your day, you could do an annual review, you could reflect on failures, you could write bullet points about interesting observations of your surroundings, you could even journal about your job and what you learnt in school that day. And since you're writing in your own voice, you tend to remember what you wrote very clearly.
I started journaling about a year ago because a therapist once said I live too much in my head, she suggested that I tried paying more attention to the world in my day-to-day life and writing down things I noticed, and it honestly helped, because then I started paying attention to what was making me feel how I feel, so it's also a place for venting. I started it by free writing on my laptop then I got a binder and I fill it with as many pages I need, I also enjoy punching holes on paper
I have this same issue. i tend to spend more time thinking than actually experiencing life. I'm definitely gonna try to discipline myself with journaling so that i can mitigate this issue.
@@silvercomet2245 my experienced tip would be: start free writing about whatever is flowing in your head. Do not worry about analogue or digital in the beginning, just make it comfortable for you as you could find you really have a lot to write. Just dump it. Start with only 1 rule: After writing reread what you wrote and reflect on what the situations you wrote about mean to you. And write that down too. In the proces you’ll find out what works best for you: -the moment of the day to write -the tools you need -how you use your journal This can change over time but that’s ok. You only have 1 rule: reflecting.
I cannot imagine a day in my life without having one of my ‘zillion’ (!) journals with me, or near to me. I began at age 7 years and I am now 70 years. I’m a lover of stationary, pens, papers, beautiful Journals, etc,. Must have been a scribe in a previous life! My journal is my best friend, my listener, my constant companion and my exploration buddy in every single aspect of my life on this planet. The best stress buster available and great for anxiety too. I go nowhere without a Journal. It’s the best place to keep memories , worries, concerns, observations, etc and give your brain a rest too (put stuff on the page and not in your inner filing system!). Great video - I really enjoyed all that you said and suggested. Thank You 🙂
I’ve been journaling for around four years on an almost daily basis and it has been extremely beneficial for me. I’ve found out that writing freehand (just with pen and a notebook) is much better for me when expressing ideas or thoughts about life in general. Journaling is therapeutic. What a life changing habit if done on a constant basis! I cannot recommend it enough! Happy New Year!
Chaotic journaling with collecting ideas, favorite things, quotes, and writing about my journey to healthier me and manifesting pages, collages, drawings etc. Anything but "Dear diary today I went to the grocery store" - stuff 😄 It has helped me to collect ideas and to see my progress
I use a journaling method called “In the sphere of silence” which is a one hour date with oneself. It involves reflection, planning, visioning, reading, summarizing and silence.
i started a journal in may 2021. i freewrite, scribble,draw,glue stuff in. it has been so therapeutic and helped so much as someone who doesn't have access to mental health resources
It helped me in my teen years, when I felt lonely, ugly, and had no one trustful enough to tell what I was feeling. A simple notebook (it was the 70's), a pen and radio to listen to my favorite songs.
I was very intimated at first because I was in a very bad mental state like a year ago and I just started with doodling. Just drawing without thinking basically and writing some words if you want to. I am a horrible drawer but now looking back at them I still know what I meant by most of them, even if it were just abstract lines. So that maybe helps!
For me, freewriting works wonders! I just write everything that's in my head - it's like my anxious thoughts are not in me anymore, they're in my journal. I write it everyday right before going to bed, but I need to write on something that has a keyboard. Hate writing on my phone and a real physical journal simply isn't for me. Since I started journaling I just stopped one time for a month and my life just got messier and messier - I then realized how important journaling was for me and never stopped since then.
I'm a psych prof about to retire after 40 plus years of teaching. Journaling feels right to me now as I transition to this new phase in my life. Thank you! The commonplace approach combined with a deep dive feels right to me. I'm going to begin there. Definitely analogue for me. The paper, pen, etc. makes my heart sing.
I'm personally a fan of having a bullet journal for structure, productivity, and creativity (I draw and decorate my bujo) and then having a free writing journal for my thoughts and feelings or funny/memorable moments of the day. I don't use my free writing journal every single day but my bujo is usually at least opened and used for trackers everyday. Before I started journaling I couldn't keep track of everything in life and I would get overwhelmed easily. The act of writing things down and color coding tasks helps me so much. Writing about a really good day or a really bad day and unpacking that on paper helps me to unload those thoughts and feelings; I don't hold onto them and carry them around like I would before.
I've been journaling off and on for nearly 40 years. Some periods of my life it was daily, sometimes more than once a day. In other periods it was sporadic. Every now and then a year or more -- never more than 2 years. As I've gotten older it's not so much the day to day observations I journal about. The last few years have been more journaling about my dreams and their intensity, their locale - recurring or not, the people in them, etc... I've also taken to noting the phase of the moon at the beginning of the entry. To try to understand the patterns and rhythms in my dreams. I love the idea of the reflections journal. Reflecting on what you read. In my seminary years, I used to do that with scripture. Now I am fascinated by consciousness and the interconnectivity of it all and the esoteric and celestial. So a beautiful sunset or rise of the Pleiades in the eastern sky or Orion, etc... is more apt to spark my journaling and pondering. I tend to use the blank journal books from Barnes and Noble or other bookstores. My favorite phase in life so far was from 2007 to 2011 when the journal I used was one with a cover of psychedelic skulls on them. Ironically, it coincided with my cancer treatment journey for ocular melanoma and so the theme of the cover sort of foreshadowed the theme of entering mid life with this cancer journey and the questions that arise from that. Thanks for a great topic and episode.
Been journaling for a year now, what worked so well for me and continues to do wonders are Free writing and reading reflections. They keep me in my writing phase. ❤
I’ve tried journaling all my life and always failed until the beginning of 2022. This time I decide to keep a simple reading journal and actually commit to it. I basically write the name of the book, author and date, followed by a brief summary of the text and my thoughts on it (Did I like the book? Why?). I slowed down mid-october, but I managed to write a short “review” for practically every book I read this year and I already bought a notebook for 2023. It’s amazing the amount of things you can find out about yourself by writing notes on what you read. My top 5 were: 1) I’m annoyed by books/characters that explain themselves too much, but like it when they break the “forth wall”; 2) When it comes to writing female characters, I’m more critical of female authors (probably cause I expect more from them/underestimate male writers); 3) I like middle grade novels even more as an adult (oh sweet nostalgia); 4) The type of format I read depends on the book (ex.: for first person narrators, I tend to listen to audiobooks); 5) I would like to read more poetry. It takes some time to get into it, but I hight recommend reading journals for anyone who wants to start writing more.
Bros, I love journaling. It helps me feel so much less stressed about my life and more comfortable in my mind. I started a planner in high school when I had like five overdue assignments and from there I just had a really great experience. My advice to anyone who wants to start journaling, or anyone who has done it for a while, is to not get stuck in a specific structure. There are planning, recording and reflecting sides in journaling, and there are benefits to every form of doing them. Do whatever form you like when you feel like it and then I think you'll have a great time.
I don’t know if you can count it as journaling, but this what I do: everyday before I go to sleep, I write three positive things about myself and three positive things that has happened that day. The notebook that I have let me write on one page for three days (if you know what I mean :)). The positive things can be written in one/two sentences, whatever suits you. Not only is it giving me a good feeling before I go to sleep, it really motivates me to do it since it is a minimum work! Only thing I use are a notebook, pencil and a small flashlight (so that I dont have to walk to turn off the light :D) and i keep it all under my pillow. I started this when I was at my lowest point aka June 2020. I am now writing in my second notebook! I love reading back what happened at certain days. This is a suggestion that I wanna give and hopefully it inspires others as well :))
Something that also helps a lot to keep up with the habit of journaling often when you think "I have nothing to write about" is to have a list of journal prompts that you can pick from to get you started
Everything in my life has a journal, and the more I explore there the more journals to fill. Currently, I have 2 commonplace journals, and my daily journal I use them every day! Recently I started a journal for all my pet family. Being an owner of eight other beings has me motivated to take more pictures and document the moments. In total I use 10 different journals to document specific events in my life, it has become a labor of love and I'm able to share my story with my children and loved ones. I encourage people to journal even if it's just drawings it's a reflection of where you are or were in a space in time.
I love the end where you mention “to take the time to reflect and think about the pros and cons of each system” because I feel like that’s a missing vital part of these types of videos. Its all an individual process and you can’t have someone tell you whats best for you, you gotta take time and reflect on yourself.
“Micro-journaling” can also be helpful for beginners or those who have struggled with keeping up a habit of journaling! Grab a notebook (or Word document for those who have negative associations with a physical journal and the stress of trying to perfectly perform a journaling habit - there is no shame at all in changing formats to make a practice more accessible for your mental health!). In that notebook/document, write *as little as you want to* when you happen to want to write. It can be one line, one paragraph, one page, or whatever you choose for that moment. It doesn’t have to be every day. It can be multiple times a day. It’s just what works for you to be able to write down what you’re thinking or feeling in a given moment, or what you want to remember for the future. This process allows you to get comfortable with the routine and action of journaling over time, enabling your brain to approach the practice without the pressure of a daily habit or the expectation of a long, grandiose entry every time you sit down to write. Since it’s a similar amount of effort to typing a text/Tweet/post/etc., this “micro-journaling” method helps a lot of folks escape the artificial pressure of “perfectly journaling” and allows them to embrace a practice that’s beneficial to their long-term health (when done in a way that actually works for them). It also tends to open the floodgates and make writing more appealing on the whole. Would recommend!
In my journal, I write the date, then whatever. If I feel inclined the include the time, cool. If I don't, cool. I only write the date once, and I don't bother with starting on a fresh page. I have one entry that is two sentences updating on an immediate concern I had the night before. That was my day. I have other entries that take most of a page. I had a lot to process. I'm thinking about throwing a habit tracker in, but we shall see. I'm not inclined to start adding charts and graphs and whatever nonsense online personalities are pushing. Also, neat handwriting be damned. If I'm writing for someone else, I'm typing. My journal is for me, not my camera.
I kinda do that now. i record my emotions on my calender on my phone daily and keep track of what happened that day. Sometimes i'll put a sentence in the notes to explain and it relieves me from having to write out EVERY. SINGLE. THING. thats happened for that day. Sometimes i get overwhelmed and i end up feeling those feelings all over again when the entire point of me journaling is to release those repressed feelings. I didn't know this had a name, so thanks for commenting this.
Was only thinking about doing this as I embark on starting my journaling......again! I am just going to write the date in red and then whatever underneath. If I write something in the morning then something in the arvo etc, then that's great. When I note take at work I also just jots notes all over the page, not in line underneath each other. I circle bits and underline others. I am going to take this approach in my journaling. If I see a quote I like, I will write it on the side of the page, not directly underneath. I am going to be less constrictive and less perfect in the journalling.
For those who has psychological problems like anxiety or even insomnia, I would recommend to write before (or at least 1-2 hours before) sleep, but use the second person voice when you write about yourself. It means that in stead of saying "I feel" you write "you feel". Then it becomes conversation with yourself. Also, write without thinking too much, like freewriting. It really helps to collect and spill out all thoughts and have more clear head before going to bed. (of course, you can use the first person voice too, if it feels better for you.)
my method is apparently freewriting and i've been keeping a journal/diary since i was 12, for more than 13 years. i believe what made me stick with it is that i write whenever i want to. sometimes i don't write for days, sometimes i write multiple times a day, and sometimes i write 5 pages in one sitting and sometimes i just write one short sentence. no restrictions, no rules. i don't view it as a task to be completed, so i can stick with it easily without getting intimidated by the idea of it. maybe this could help someone too. 🥺
I started journaling, free-writes reflecting on my day and self-reflection, in my teens; but it didn't really stick until about three years ago, when my therapist gave me "homework", a prompt to follow each day-- one thing that made me smile, another that made me frown. That was extremely helpful to induce me to think very particularly (critically?) about my life in a simple way. For me at least, I think that a really important issue to consider in journaling concerns how honest you're willing to be with yourself *about* yourself. I haven't tried the other methods than freewriting, but I really appreciated learning about them!
I've been journaling for almost 3 months, everyday (sometimes multiple times a day) I'll sit down and free write. It's been extremely helpful for my mental health. I'm far less anxious and depressed since starting a freewriting journal. I also keep a bullet journal of sorts where I track daily habits (did I take my medications, how many times did I drink water).
I actually started with a gratitude journal, writing 5 things I was thankful for, and really built a daily practice. Now I do that and freewriting a few days a week in a separate journal. I am now interested in trying a commonplace book.
I love your channel. As someone trying to get back into writing (especially journaling-I’ve started a few for different things) and reading, your videos have been very helpful to me. I used to journal daily from about 6-16. My mother was often obsessive and unkind, and began to read my journals and messages to my friend when I was 14 onward. I tried moving my journals to Xanga (earlier 00’s) and she read those too. She’d corner me and yell in my face about what I’d write. Anything but happiness was unacceptable. I could go on, but I think that’s all I need to say. I’ll be 32 in a few days and I’m determined to get back to journaling. It helped my memory, writing skills, reading comprehension, empathy, processing, the list goes on. I’ve tried many times over the years to get back into it, but I’ve felt literally ill and scared of writing again. I normally throw away or delete everything I start. Going to utilize some ideas here to get started again. Thank you 🙏🏼
I’ve been thinking about how part of the loneliness epidemic might be rooted in the lack of time spent thinking - we move between distractions and consume but it is difficult to really take time to step back and think “I actually do feel loved by others and I’m not alone” and let that sink in
I've been journaling since I was 8 years old. I started because I just thought the idea of having a journal sounded fun lmao. So I started, and I've never stopped. As I've gotten older it's become more of a constant and regular thing, but it's fun. I feel like when I'm journalling I'm connecting back with every version of myself who've journaled before and it makes me so happy :) it's lovely to have all of my childhood thoughts written between covers, it's fun to pull them out and laugh about certain entries with friends and refer to exactly how I was feeling about events as I was experiencing them. It's like a fun little library of me :) Something I thought I'd add is if you have a printer filling your journal with things that you love and pictures of memories from that time can really add a lot of fun to the journalling process.
I’ve thought about the digital vs. analog question for a long time now, decades in fact. And I’ve come down firmly on the side of … both. On the digital side, I mostly use an iPad with a bluetooth keyboard/case that turns it into a mini-laptop. For software, I mostly use Notability and MSWord for the iPad. The kind of journaling I do (I don’t even call it journaling - I just call it writing stuff down) doesn’t fit neatly into any of the categories you listed, but incorporates elements of free-writing, keeping a commonplace book, keeping a book journal, along with a lot of planning, analysis and introspection. When I’m trying to make a difficult decision, getting all my thoughts written down and then organizing them - moving them around, even editing them -helps me arrive at a decision and also to sometimes realize that maybe I had already made the decision before I even started the analysis. I love the ability that my digital solution gives me to edit and move text around, to combine photos, screenshots, hand-drawn material using the Apple Pencil, cut-and-pastes from websites, links to websites, etc. And I also love that it takes up virtually no physical space and I can carry my entire library of “notebooks” as well as my entire Kindle library with me wherever I go. It’s also great in terms of organization and being able to find things that I wrote. But I also love the physical act of writing in a notebook, and I recognize the value of having to slow down, of not being able to move text around, to reorganize. So I use both analog and digital means. Often I find that I’ll start something in a notebook, and then I’ll switch to the iPad when I want to go broader and deeper, or if I feel that something I started would benefit from more development and organization. There’s no reason you have to choose one way over the other.
I started Journaling around my first year of college when my philosophy professor assigned it as hw. I have the same book and write on it whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious. It's such a vulnerable place for me. It's been 5 years now and have moved onto notion where I keep a common place book, a dream analysis book, a to do list, my goals for the future, etc. I love the app because I can write from almost any device. I also keep a different journal where anything goes for my more creative side :)
I love to combine art and journaling together! I use words for the things I can articulate in language, and art for the parts that are more abstract (like how a person rips up a piece of paper when they are angry, only the drawing equivalent) 💖 I've been journaling for years for mental health improvement and creative reasons, and doing so in longhand form is so much more cathartic for me than if I use a computer. Thanks for the great video! You've definitely gained a subscriber!
I really like the freewriting method, it feels so natural and having no restrictions is quite helpful to lift all anxiety issues, the text just flows from my mind to the page, so delightful. I can't imagine how I would fill, say, a five year journal, having just a tiny space for each entry feels like a nightmare. I'm trying bullet journal this year, I really hope that it's not that restrictive and will allow me to mix freewriting with structured entries, task tracking and indexing. Hope bujo indexing will help me to navigate through the old entries (the main problem you mentioned about freewriting is bugging me hard). Thanks for the video and tips!
I bought a mini composition book, bought a leather case for it and a small leather belt bag to keep my tiny book my pencil and eraser. I just put on that belt bag on either with jeans, chinos, or even with shorts or stuff that don’t have belt loops. I hate keeping pencil, pens, erasers, etc in my pockets so that bag makes things much more convenient. It’s a tight fit for my book but that’s perfect because it it really slim that I can even lay on it and not be bothered. The vintage brown leather on both the belt and case looks great with everything I wear, either a suit or a shirt and shorts. I’ll leave the links below. I have been enjoying journaling much more ever since I got my case and bag cause it looks more aesthetic and the feel of leather is just nice. It’s just convenient and looks like an essential piece that I just have on me no matter what I’m wearing, either in the house all day, out in town, or even out in nature. The only time I don’t wear this is when I am working out but that is because I have a workout logbook I bring with me. Refillable Leather Pocket Notebook - Mini Composition Cover - Fits Standard 4.5 x 3.25 Mini Composition Book (Vintage Brown) a.co/d/cmAgaA1 Hide & Drink, Waist Pouch Handmade from Full Grain Leather - Fanny Pack, Bag, Purse, Phone Holder Cable Case, Easy Travel for Digital Nomads - Bourbon Brown a.co/d/8Krw9qS Mini Composition Notebook, Cute 30 Pack Black Narrow Ruled Mini Composition Books Bulk by Feela, Small Pocket Marble Journal Notebooks for Kids Students College Office, Pocket Size 4.5 x 3.25 in a.co/d/f20UD0B
I started journaling and I love it so much. I also do the morning pages as well. Usually, I have no idea how to start, but before I know It, my pen can't stop writing.Then my evening journal is where I make sense of my day, emotions, introspect, write about the book I read or currently reading etc. What helped me was actually purchasing a nice book that makes me want to write in it lol. It is this leather bound antique looking book that feels so good to write in.
I journal daily in a physical book to record the happenings of the day…as a memory keeper. I also journal digitally, password-protected, so I can unload my true feelings without worrying about someone else reading it. If there is ANY chance of someone else reading it….I won’t feel free to be brutally honest. ( doesn’t matter if someone ever actually reads it or not) I have to journal daily. That is my ME-time. My chance to examine my life. Give myself validation or question my perspective on matters etc. If a day or two goes by and I haven’t journaled for some reason, then I am not myself. ( I love pens and paper too!)
For me when it comes to journaling, I view it this way. 1. It helps me recap on the day and remember key details about it. 2. When I put my thoughts onto paper, I recollect them easier several days later. 3. For longevity reasons, I feel that if I write something I want to tell my future self or kids about, I can “hear the thoughts” of my past self. Another way to look at this like if you were to look at a photograph. When most do so, they are taken back to that time for a moment. Which I’d love to do when I’m much older. Great video! Thanks for posting
So, I have actually been watching journaling videos because for some reason I do actually find them interesting and inspiring. The fact that all these people talk about the same thing in such a different way is just fascinating. Everyone really is different. This brings me on to the point I wanted to make. I was watching a particular video in which the UA-camr was challenging herself to follow Virginia wolfs journaling structure for thirty days but I ended up taking more away then what I initially thought I would. She was struggling to keep up with the challenge and so switched to more descriptive challenges. She would describe her room. But the activity I will definitely remember is the one she called sprinting. You take a word prompt, set a timer and just write. It allows for more freedom and let’s you just write. Simple as that. But after talking about this, she mentioned figurative writing. Now back in school when we would criticise and analyse books, we would look at how what was wrote is from the perspective of the character. And yet this UA-camr highlighted that the narrator is in fact the author. They are the same person and so what’s written was written by the author. She spoke about how a simple phrase “the bus was yellow like a daisy” does in fact reveal something about the author. Because daisy is a flower, there are connotations of spring and joy. The author my have a more positive look on life than an author who might have wrote “the bus was yellow like the tape you see warning you not to cross into a crime scene” these authors are very different with different outlooks. Different life’s.
I started journaling, the last year of the Covid lockdown. My way of journaling… is writing on my laptop. Specifically, I use my email to journal. I create a folder in my gmail. I type very, fast 60words a minute or more. I simply send myself an email! The subject section is always the same name that I use when journaling. For, me, my journal is very, very, private and personal. With that in mind. I would NEVER want my journals to be read by anyone. Even, when I pass… at some point in my life. So, sending myself an email, with my open, very deep thoughts… writing and then I put that day’s journal in my email file folder. The date and time are already apart of the email. Works for me, at, this point. Thank You!! JD of Michigan ✌️
JD, this is the exact method I use for people that end up ruminating on "Do I use a paper journal or digital? Which app?" And so on. Everyone has email and they most likely carry it around in their pocket.
I first started journaling during quarantine when my mental health was shit and I couldn’t express myself to anyone cause my main problem was actually with communication; I kinda stopped doing it for like 5 months and I’ve recently started again cause I missed it so much! Starting journaling was honestly one of my best decisions in life, it really helps to get out of art blocks and avoid constant anxiety crisis.
Thank you Jared this was really helpful. I truely appreciate you putting such deep and thought provoking content in such a simplistic way. I started journaling on January 1, 2021. Initially, I wrote before bed, documenting daily events and tasks for the next day. But as unfinished to-do lists grew, the habit became stale. After a break, I revived journaling, embracing free-writing and reflection. This shift helped me explore emotions, thoughts and experiences objectively. Now, in 2024, I journal sporadically, driven by emotional needs or challenges. Journaling brings calm, clarity and growth, transforming me into a more objective, reflective person.
I don't really journal but I write a lot of songs and write a book and in those things I can say every single thing I have on my mind, I don't know if it has the same benefits as journalling but I know its boosts my happiness.
I am committed to analog journaling. I love the feel of pen/pencil on good paper. I love the tactile coupled with the intellectual. I am not a calligrapher, but, as a retired elementary school teacher, I taught handwriting for years and enjoy the look of either/or manuscript of cursive letters on a page. For me it offers a physical discipline as a frame for the mental discipline of writing. The added benefit of writing pen to paper is the emotional honesty revealed by the handwriting on a certain page read in reflection.
I have a journal from Michaels and I try to have the habit of writing in it every day. I glue little notes from throughout my day, I talk about kind interactions I've had that day. I especially us it for just writing down random thoughts and poetry. But one of the main reasons I do it is because I want something to look back at and be proud of. Great video
The Commonplace Book + Free-Writing Hybrid Method sounds really enticing. I have been collecting thoughts here and there in my Notes App, but I've been thinking about starting a journal for more in depth reflection. Thanks for the insight, Jared. It's nice to have a community of like-minded individuals, regardless of it being online.
as someone getting started with bullet journaling, i think it's great cause it's extremely flexible so you can adjust it to whatever you need, while still having enough of a basic structure that you can stay organized. it really tickles my brain.
Thank you for making this video. I desperately need structure to in my life. I’m not proud to admit, at aged 66 years old I have never kept a diary, rarely used a calendar and I have never journaled in my life. However, today your video popped up and this has been an awakening for me. I’m off to get some good quality note books and pens. Today, I have made a decision I need journaling in my life! Thank you one again, great subject, presentation and content.
I started journaling with a commonplace book, and had no idea it was a thing till right now. I stressed over it having no organization, but could not create any structure while writing, for like a week. Then after having a few pages I just embraced the chaos of it, and LOVE writing in it now! I definetly agree that everyone should keep a commonplace journal.
I found it difficult to flip back and review what it is I had been writing in the past. What helped me, and added the tiniest bit of structure, is to have a few pages in the beginning reserved for page numbers and what corresponding broad topics are there. Like, if I find a great meatloaf recipe, I'll write it down, and go to the front of the book to note *pg. 5 meatloaf*. This is of course just an example. It really helps me when I know I have the answer, I just gotta find it...
I've actually tried all but two of these methods in my 10+ years of journaling! Here are my notes on each style based on your personality: 1. Freewriting - if you're a person who doesn't like structure, needs a place to vent/express emotions/thoughts, and you enjoy the act of writing, I'd recommend this method. Just write about your day, reflect on your emotions, vent about the little annoyances, or look for things to be grateful about. Present you might think your day was boring, but future you will enjoy looking back on the little moments. You're writing a journal, not an autobiography. There's no pressure to be interesting or funny. 2. Five Year Journal - I kept a three year journal, and it was so much fun looking back on what I was doing exactly 1 or 2 years ago. If you enjoy structure and want a habit that's fairly easy to keep up, this is a good place to start. Knowing that you only need to write a few sentences each day makes it less intimidating. 3. Bullet Journaling: this requires some time to set up. You'll need to experiment with different spreads to know what works for your life. However, if you're a flexible yet consistent planner, bujos will work great for you. Personally, I migrated to a digital system because I made my bujo a glorified to-do list anyway. However, there's a big community to pull inspiration from if you enjoy the creative aspect, and you're free to make it as simple as possible, just like the original system. 4. Commonplacing: if you consume a lot of media and you like having some kind of theme to your entries, this is the one for you. I started commonplacing just this year and found that I started appreciating the things I'm watching/listening to or reading more. It's like a game of trying to find a diamond in the rough. Especially when you've made it a habit to try and find something good to write down each day. Again, I've never tried morning page or reading reflections before, but I imagine they're fairly similar to freewriting and commonplacing anyway. I hope this rambly comment helped!
I’ve been a journal writer for years; as I’ve aged, it’s become more visual and artistic rather than just words - I find a lot of satisfaction in looking back over the year and seeing my creative expression in line drawings, watercolors and collages vs. just the written word. But I love nice pens and smooth paper, so I do incorporate all of my appreciation for those things into my analog annual journals. Thanks for this reflection - I am teaching journaling to some older folks and encouraging them to express themselves however it feels best to them.
I have been bombarded with journaling videos today and one style that I have been mulling over, as someone who struggles to ever keep up with journaling at all, is "Dopamine Journaling." You take 2 minutes and write down one statement about what was good that day. A small achievement, an activity, finishing an essay, maybe some grand adventure you went on.... Whatever. If it was a good thing to reflect on that day, put it down. Even if you miss a day or two, pick up where you left off, fill in where you can, and carry on. At the end of each month, take time to reflect, mark what was particularly of note. (Not the biggest and best, just the most notable) Make some goals for next month to improve or act upon and see where time takes you!
I started journaling a few months ago and i been LOVING IT. I remember trying it out a few years ago and not liking it at all, i used to think i had to do the same stuff people would do, like journaling in the morning everyday and for me that would feel too bothersome, it felt like i was doing a task rather than something i should enjoy, until a few months ago where i started doing the free writing technique, and i instantly fell in love with journaling. I think you did a great job on explaning a few ways people can journal without it feeling like a task. Great video, absolutely loved it🤍
Haha I have a "commonplace book", in addition to my regular journal, but I call it my "dump journal" because I just put anything I want in it (lyrics, cooking recipes I like, collage, paint, rant, thoughts, etc.). It's very liberating to add some chaos somewhere !
I have been journaling ever since I could write. I remember writing little things to myself on ripped up pieces of paper. I was a nose picker as a kid and my sisters constantly teased me about it. I was even caught picking in pictures. One day I caught my sister picking her nose. That was my first journal entry, I wrote about it in a piece of paper in a few sentences folded up the paper in the smallest form possible and hid them under the couch. That was the beginning of my love of journaling! When my mom found all my notes, she took me to the store and bought me my first small mead notebook. She too journaled and told me that this way we can have it all organized. I love journaling!!!
I'm an archaeology student, and I think because of that I am always thinking about what I am leaving behind, and what future archaeologists and historians are going to find about me. That's why I've kept physical daily journals since I was in middle school, so that one day, someone somewhere can see what I was doing on any given day, what I was like, what I thought, and what I felt.
I am keeping a journal for 13 years now. I've tried different ways. What works for me: Freewriting - I like writing longer entries. I use it to think, to undrstand my feelings and reactions, to analyse life updates. Morning pages - a great tool for decluttering your head and getting to know yourself better! Certainly analog! Fountain pen and notebooks with dots are my favourites. I have A5 notebook for journaling, A4 - for morning pages. And many many little notebooks for different stuff. Should try a commonplace book, thanks for an idea!
I agree with you Jared. I've been journaling for 48 years, since i was 9 years old. During a hurricane I lost all my books, about 35 years worth of journals. I still maintain paper journals because that's how I think best. I'd never use a computer to journal even after my horrible experience.
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it. I´ve kept journals in all kinds of ways too numerous to mention here for 42 years. Journaling has kept me sane. It´s helped me make big decisions. It´s helped me grow up. It´s helped me understand myself, my life, and my place in the world. It´s helped me learn things (languages other than English). Keeping a journal is one of the best habits a person can develop.
Maybe you'd consider doing a follow-up video with thoughts on how to use your journal after you have written in it. I did daily pages for about five years (without missing a day!), but I can't say that I ever felt like it was benefitting me as much as others say it benefitted them. Sometimes I would go back and read what I'd written but the main thought this produced was "what if my children read this after I'm gone?" In general, I found reading my journals to be quite unpleasant. I'd be interested in your thoughts on this and in knowing if you worry about hurting the feelings of others who might read your journals someday....
Honestly, lots of people burn their journals after using them, and thats okay. Sometimes we just need a space to vent for that moment, and we don’t need to reflect on those thoughts. It might feel good and cathartic to get rid of those thoughts and that might be what journalling is for you :)
Personally, I had to think of bullet journaling the other way around (as a journal more than a productivity tool) before it started working for me. Rapid logging, quickly noting things throughout the day, works way better for me than trying to recall after the fact and condense it into phrasing that makes sense. Micro-journaling, sorta. But now with the realization that there are no rules, I like to throw in free writing or reading reflections or even some commonplace practices wherever and whenever I feel like it.
One thing that made start to actually use my journal from what originally was to write my thoughts and feelings but never actually stocked to it was finding out that I could write all the little short stories I had in my head along with the notes from my Current book I’m writing. I initially started this goal by writing a short story every day for seven days and it worked and I found this weird short story that I really liked and later is now the story I’m working on. Right now it’s used for me to write ideas down for the book while I’m writing like how can I add this into the book or how could I do this better while not having me keep the idea in my head for me to forget or taking my focus away from the google doc I have up. I carry it with me everywhere, have a little pocket for it in my backpack so that I always have access to it. It’s very useful as it really does allow me to write down the story or idea without pulling up something digital which I will forget later.
Last year, I started journaling but not consistent. This year, I will start again because of this video. It may help on my journaling adventure. Thank you, Jared.
1. Just found your channel via this video and it was extremely helpful! Thank you for your explanation and breakdown as I’m just getting into journaling, fountain pens, & fountain pen inks! 2. I have severe ADHD and find it hard to figure out exactly what I need or want in journaling (so again this was super helpful) yet I do like structure as I need it in order to start, but I also like the freedom to have my creativity as well. The common place book you mentioned seems like something right up my alley as I love writing, like the physical act of writing especially with my fountain pens and inks and this is something I can incorporate into my journal when I fell as though I have “nothing to write about” or a “writing block”. 3. I also love the idea of a separate 5 year journal to keep for my son for him to look back over the years when he’s older and see what life was like during these times. Like with significant accomplishments in his school, the weather, important worldly events, etc. I so appreciate channels like yours as it truly helps someone like myself who is artistic, creative, yet struggles severely with ADHD and sometimes just needs a little guided direction in what to do with my thoughts and how to put them down on paper. So Thank You for taking the time to make this video, it means a lot to someone like me🫶🏼
Thank you so very much for this video; I journalled almost every day (three line 5y journal) from age 12 to 17y and have gone back to it infrequently over that past 40y, I have recently stopped working and want to begin journalling again to form a new routine, I particularly like Reading Reflections, never came across that before. For me part of the pleasure of the ritual is a fountain pen and a notebook, neither had to be expensive, it's the physical act of writing rather than typing, slowing down and commiting your reflections to paper.
I've started, years ago, as I've searched to, as I'm "growing" older, keep myself interested about... everything that I can think interesting. What is fun, is that, as I love to read, listening to music, I've started to journaling AND using that in the way that as an "avid" reader, i can use that when i'm writing. The music is a plus, not to concentrate, but to reflect a moment, and write about it ! I've also re-discovered how to.. Write, as i've taken a course about "how to learn", that writing it down improves your memory. So... I'm writing about my everyday life/"free style", reflections, or not.. At least 15 mns per day, before getting to bed. So, the other point is the "analog tools" i'm using, the pen.. Pencils, fountain pen (found some old ones at the flea market), even feather pen with some ink, to change the way to "how to" write, the aspects of the letters, it's a kind of multiple layer of different pleasure that is keeping me to write every day about everything.
GREAT Vid Jared!!! in addition : Another method is actually so called 'Mind Jots' , Mind Jots is a great way of starting your day and getting into a journal habit. With Mind Jots you dedicate a (old) journal of just what you have and in the morning (but also evening before bed works very well) you just jot down every thought that is coming up, no matter what the subject, no structure, just jot it down 1 page will turn out to be rarely enough :-) Great for anybody, but especially if you are anxious about something(s). Love and Light from Europe ✨
Just wanted to share my thoughts on how you might like thinking about journaling within a bullet journal. What’s been great for me as I’ve kept my regular journaling and reflections in my bullet journal is that having my journal there keeps all of those thoughts 1. Associated with the date during which they occur, and 2. In the context they were developed in. Since I journal within my daily log in the Bullet Journal, the things I did and things that happened that day that had an influence on what I’m journaling about are all surrounding my journal entry. This helps me better reflect on those thoughts later.
I keep a journal and I have noticed a pattern when I use it. I'm more focused that day, happier and more creative. And the things I'm writing are just simple things like how I feel, what I've done or what I'm planning to do that day and what I'm thinking about certain topics that have been on my mind lately. I don't pressure myself to journal every day, but sometimes I journal daily no matter what, because I'm actually enjoying it! It can be different sometimes though, I can forget about my journal for weeks, but that's not very often because I know that I benefit from using it. Also I'm a writer (mostly in the Swedish language) and I've noticed that my writing gets much better when I journal before actually writing on my book projects, to kind of sort out my thoughts a bit before doing the "real" work. Lastly, I want to say that I really enjoy your videos and I've just recently found your channel and have subscribed :) Thank you!
I'm using a 5yr journal for my gratitude journal which is working well as I like to write a minimum of 3 things each day so usually enough room and when limited with space it forces me to be concise I have a daily or as wanted brain dump/deep journal (You just gave me the idea to call it a deep journal) which I review each week, follow up on anything I wanted to look up and transfer notes I want to keep into relevant permanent journals and then when I fill this book up which is a cheap book like an exercise book or similar, I throw it away in the recycling bin - it feels good to tear it up - letting go of what you just needed to get off your chest or process and what you wouldn't benefit from holding on to. Then I have a folder with a-z dividers that I keep notes in filed alphabetically according to topic or author - notes from You Tube clips; notes from a book etc. I have a journal for miscellaneous quotes. I have a journal I started last year after learning about it from a Ryan Holiday You Tube Clip - He sells a Stoic journal for this purpose but it was late at night and I wanted to start it straight away and you can just do it using an undated A5 diary or a notebook and basically you just use half a page for the morning when you first get up and half a page for in the evening and I have found it to be a great compact way of journalling - getting things off your chest and gathering your thoughts. I love journalling I find it so helpful. The psychologist Martin Seligman recommends at the end of the day reflecting on www - what went well so I like to think of that in the evening also. Life is like an ongoing experiment so always experiment to find what works best for you. Jared thanks for giving me a new name for my daily/weekly journal "Deep Journal" I just watched your clip on writing by hand and enjoyed that also. I don't want to keep loads of journals from every year - especially when I might not want someone else reading what is in my everyday Brain Dump Deep type journal but I do want to keep the insights or learnings I would want to refer back to and it is good keeping these in a ring binder filed a-z because it is so easy to add and remove from.
I love how not only the video itself is enriching and motivating, but also provides the best basis for a delicious discussion of how each one of us struggles with the habit of Journaling in the comments section
I have used a dot grid journal considered a bullet journal and make weekly pages for keeping organized. The rest of the book I used for lists, ideas, image boards made from magazine content, notes, travel and memorabilia from travel like business cards from restaurants I liked, brochures, printed photos, tip-ins made with postcards to give it a more personal feel of what Im doing that year. Im NOT about bujo layouts as they are too time consuming. I never do trackers. If I drink water, Im not going to track it unless its required for medical reasons. I use many types of pens even though a fountain pen is my preferred. I like to use some washi tape, a few stickers to add definition between days or thoughts. I always have a perpetual calendar. The last page is a pen test page so if I get a new ink or pen, I can test for bleed through or ghosting. I like freestyle writing and structure for daily/weekly to-dos. I try to keep this in one notebook. I have seen videos where ppl say ‘these are the journals I’ll be using this year but I have the need to take mine with me everywhere incase I need to make a note of somewhere. I feel lost without it. I’m will reference last year’s journal for lists or ideas I didn’t finish or projects I finally have time to do. Last years bujo worked out fairly well and it was a good journal with more pages then I could use up and the pages were of quality at 120gsm. Thats not bad when purchased through Amazon.
Great tips! I have been journaling for more than a decade now. I write in a physical notebook (love me some fountain pen action) and then type the same entry into my journaling app (Day One; got it back in the day, so it doesn’t carry the subscription cost). That way I get the best of two worlds: slowing down and enjoying the writing process, and digital backup with convenience to write at any moment.
My biggest issue when I started to journal was after I began to be consistent. I was journaling negative thoughts, complaints, and frustrations every day. It caused me to ruminate on everything negative in my life instead of serving me as a creative outlet. Im going to try and reflect on readings or just anything that isn’t about myself. It would be a great exercise for me to think deeper about what I consume instead of just ranting about my problems without actually doing anything about them.
I love journaling! I personally do it about once or twice a week, just when I have to clear my thoughts. When I want to reflect about something which happened in my life that maybe made me question my morality or that upset me, I simply start writing freehand. Loved the video xx
Another thing that works for me, I write with Pen in CAPITAL LETTERS. Because it slows me down enough to try to hold a single thought long enough to write a sentence in all Caps. Some people say they write as fast as they can, but I just find I get more good stuff out of my jumble of thoughts when I slow it down and put it in all caps and pen and ink. But that's just me.
I journaled using an electronic note taker when I was in school. Now as an adult, I prefer an audio journal which I record on my phone. I found that I'm a better speaker than a writer, so it works for me. The phone will keep track of the date so I don't have to try to remember things. All I have to do is record my thoughts and then title the recording accordingly. I like this because I can choose a topic for a particular recording, or just go on a rant. I'm a bit wordy but that's okay because I figure it's just for me to get my thoughts out of my head. I love this video and I think there are some great tips in here for people who want to start journaling as you said. I enjoy reviewing my entries months later just to see what was important to me at the time. I also do not give myself any pressure if I miss a few days or even a couple of weeks at a time. I just talk about things that are important to me at the moment or momentous events. Thank you for this video, it was very insightful
In high school I tried to journal, but I didn't stick to it, during the pandemic I would write how I felt that day or how I was feeling isolated and how it was affecting my sibling and parents. I'm now in college and I've stuck to It, I write on it on random days, or I doodle in it, it helps me write down any strong emotions I'm feeling, what I saw, the weather, about my classes or just writing about my day or sometimes a new book a started. it's my form of therapy since I finished, and this helps me out a lot
I love handwritten journals when it comes to this. Every one has a special handwriting style. You can not show this through digital journals and that makes me feel the words on yhe screen are not my own. I also found that my mood changes the way I write. It is fun to look back and instantly know I wrote this entry when I was happy or sad just by spacing and how neat I write.
I use the morning pages as a way to quiet the “ADHD” mind that I seem to now have at 40. I find that journaling before bed & waking up to write morning pages not only manages my anxiety but also streamlines the chaos of thought that floods my mind before I even open my eyes.
I'm a journaler and have tried many different journaling methods. I don't journal on a daily basis - wait a minute, I guess I do as I keep track of my tarot draws on a daily basis and also keep track of the books I read a couple times weekly (yes, I read - conservatively 2-3 books a week). I have kept a bullet journal, a daytimer, a Franklin planner, morning pages, as well as special limited writings such as specific journaling prompts for 180 days. I have a kind of Commonplace journal in an app called Evernote where I keep quotes, pictures, jokes, recipes, sewing patterns, and anything else I find interesting. Other than the daily and weekly, I'm not really regular with much of anything although I have a wide and extensive collection of dated writings, in journals, on pages and scraps of paper. I do both analog and digital writing. I have some great journals and some awesome fountain pens l love to write with. I find that I mostly do more digital writing as when I write with paper and pen, I can't write as fast as I think and if I can't get it down, I forget what I was going to say. Since I touch type, I prefer keyboarding on a desktop computer where I can pretty much keep up with my thoughts. I would like to be more consistent, but I'm beginning to understand that that just might be my type of journaling. As an octogenarian, I'm pretty stuck in my ways of trying new things on a regular basis. I appreciate your post was good for getting the grey cells moving.
I have found out recently, that I have been keeping a "journal" in my head the last couple of months. I've noticed that after i am home after work, or home after beeing with familly or friends, I kind of subconsciously go through most of the things I had done during the day, and the interactions I had with people that day. And I have noticed that by going through those thougts, I learn from the mistakes I have done, or the mistakes other people have done around me. And I have rapidly become a much better person, and keep getting better every day.
Excellent presentation, well thought out. My first experience in journaling was a classroom assignment in 8th grade English - I hated it - could never think of anything to write and was not excited about someone else reading it. I've tried different types of journaling. I'm currently trying to get back into the habit of journaling every day. I tried keeping a commonplace and daily journal separately but it felt too overwhelming so now I just combine them. Analog is my preferred method, no stopping because the computer pointed out spelling or grammar errors. I agree with your comment about Analog making you slow down. Everyone has to find their own way and it often takes starting-stopping-starting again, repeat, to find what's best for you.
Found this while searching for best methods of recording daily life events, thoughts, etc. Over time, I tend to forget what happened and what order things happened--conversations get vague in my memory and I'm not sure I've remembered the event accurately. I thought it would be good to start journaling or keeping a diary. This video helped me decide what would work best for me. I'm thinking that if I do the Free Writing style at bedtime, reflecting on the days events and conversations, etc., that would be most beneficial to me. I could write as much or as little as I wanted. I "get it" that maybe doing it on computer would be best for searching capabilities, but I prefer to write (it improves my handwriting when I practice writing) and my thoughts flow easier. So, I came up with a sort of solution for the searching aspect. I haven't tried it yet, but it has helped in office settings when I'm organizing and implementing a file system: COLOR CODING. Maybe make a Red Dot for bad days, emotional days, anger, frustration, etc., in the upper right corner or next to the particular entry, it would act as a flag. Blue could signify serene, calm moods or events. Green could be productive, work-related, or financial... Yellow for happy "best days" or events. For Political writings or conversation, maybe use both a Red and a Blue mark. (This also appeals to the artist in me, as I might also sketch or watercolor in this journal!)
I think the mindset that helped me maintain the habit for so long is to not set the expectation that you’d do it everyday. I think once you overcome the mental hurdle of “this is a chore I have to do everyday” journaling becomes so pleasant!
Thank you for your video! I've just finished a year long journal. Writing an entry every day has become a habit and now my life feels a bit empty without it. I was inspired by the idea of reading reflection. Quoting books, reflecting on their meaning, adding sketches and more - it sounds fun. I'll try this method. Thank you again!
Great video, thanks. Lots of good ideas. Reading reflections are definitely productive. I'm a journaller, intermittent for many years, but keen to make it a regular practice. And for me it's always been paper and fountain pens. I like to keep "rough" journals, where my immediate thoughts land, and then decant them into a more permanent format, since I find this gives me the opportunity to reflect on and "hone" those first thoughts and the way in which I express them.
I have a new year resolution to write a daily reflection in my second language every evening as a method to improve and get exposure to new vocabulary that I may not have before been exposed to.
I started to keep a journal a few months ago and I’m really starting to see the benefits, It has vastly improved my clarity of thought and allows me to better understand the more complicated and abstract philosophy’s. Thank you so much for introducing me to the idea and furthuring my understanding of journaling with such a great video.
my journaling method is actually the combination of almost everything you said in this video, lol. i journal every night before going to sleep, free writing in the form of bullet points where i can write about anything; thoughts, feelings, how my day went, reflections of media i consumed, any trivia stuff i found, basically everything i can pour from my mind, long or short. it's freewriting, bullet journaling, commonplace book, reading reflections, and -morning- night pages at the same time. i'm using digital platform because that's the only way i can be consistent in journaling. the five-year journal seems interesting, though. i'm gonna try this one next year using pen and notebook! thank you for the insightful video :)
Very late to this video but this was extremely helpful. I’ve been journaling for years and when my son was born over a year ago, I switched to journaling from analogue to digital, because I thought it would save me time in the busy transition to parenthood. But instead I just completely fell out of the habit, so now I’m trying to get back into journaling. Thanks for the great insights!
I'm using freewriting together with reading reflections types. Not everyday habit but I'm on my way to it. Also prefer an analogue version. Using a fountain pen with ink that I enjoy and the type of paper that I enjoy. My daily life is fully between computer and smartphone so, I really enjoy to slow it down, relax and try to reflect all the things that are in my had on the paper. And I'm adding a section with my thoughts about a few chapters of a book that I'm reading. But the real treasure that I've found is that when you return to your journal in few years to remind what was in your had, what inspired you or what was your vision of this World. It's just a treasure and pure enjoy to read your thoughts and compare with yourself nowadays. You can see how you progressing and even get a nostalgie about the things that were matter in the past and it's just nothing for you now(mostly about problems that seemed very big and destructive). Don't journaling because it can be popular. Try to journal to relax and enjoy. Journal starting from small. Like today I did this and that. Then you can add more thoughts about everything and about books and about what inspires you or what affects. Enjoy!
when I was younger I kept one single notebook that I would use for everything: journaling, commonbook, doodles and it was so good! because I had it on me all the time and the approach without any structure or purpose helped me to let go of any pressure that would suffocate my writing attempts. I would indicate commonplace stuff with quotation marks and the source; literature, music, movies and book recommedations with a visual indicator and so on. anything without markers were my original thoughts and ideas. the best way to journal is the way that makes you actually journal and keep at it. start messy and once you get the habit of it and see where your writing preferences and needs lie you can upgrade towards a specific approach. at least that's how it works for me, I can totally see how someone else might profit from an more organized approach that provides an outside structure to follow along.
hi, Jared! I started journaling during the pandemic and it really helped me get through those tough times. Today, I use two types of journaling. One of them is simply writing whatever is on my mind, usually to vent or immortalize precious memories I've had. The other one is organizing and scheduling my readings. Personally, being a neurodivergent person, having well-structured and scheduled relaxing moments with books is how I catch up on my reading, Loved the tips, def going to implement some of them!
For me, keeping commonplace books has worked the best, because i get too hung up on structure and organisation and pretty pages (like with bullet journaling). I keep two commonplace books, one digital one analog, one for keeping quotes and infos and one for deep thinking
Happy New year!
This has also been my experience. When I'm able to just write, without much regard for structure, I get much more out of it.
Could you explain 'commonplace books'? thanks.
@@kittmarie8285 commonplace books are originally meant for jotting down pieces of information you come across which you might need later, like good quotes or anecdotes etc, but the best thing about commonplace books is that it doesnt 'have' to be something definitive, without structure, so you can pretty much write anything down ! great place to start for journaling
@@kittmarie8285 A lot of people use them to write down quotes that particularly strike them while reading.
@@kittmarie8285 Jared made a great video on commonplace books! ua-cam.com/video/CcBy_b_43c0/v-deo.html
The timeline at the bottom of the video is quick innovative and cool!
Thanks - glad you liked it
I noticed this too! Super cool thing!
I disagree. I like to skip ahead to a chapter if the current one isn''t relevant to me, and here the future chapters are extremely hard to see and impossible to read, until you've watched half the chapter already. Also, the "normal" timeline disappears when you remove the cursor, this one is embedded in the video the whole way, which I personally didn't like.
Just my two cents.
Edit: This video turns out to be a great example, because what I really wanted to know was if there are any good digital tools, and his experience with both analog and digital. That chapter happens to be the last one, and I had no idea it was there because I couldn't see it. If I saw it, it would have saved me some time flicking randomly through the video, listening for mentions on this.
@@DanBanan69 ok
From a user experience perspective, it’s not helpful and serves no purpose to have the slow reveal of the topics.
It’s a cool effect at best, and kudos for making it, but idk that it adds value to the videos and it breaks some users way of watching as mentioned above.
Your content, on the other hand, is very good.
Another of my all time favorite (but very intense method) is to set and timer and not pause for 10 minutes. Literally do not stop writing for any reason for 10 minutes. This was recommended by Matthew Dicks for storytelling. If you run out of thoughts - start writing colors or numbers. Eventually that will pivot you to a brand new story or experience. I was really shocked by the variety of stories that came out. Some I’d even completely forgotten about. Some were deeply personal and vulnerable. Others were silly. Especially if you’re seeking experiences to tell stories about, or you’re writing and autobiography. It’s a great way to tell your story.
i used to do this in an english class in elementary, it was my favorite part of the week. might have to pick it back up
@@liezart-9502 it’s been really helpful. Especially when you’re overwhelmed.
we had to do this in my creative writing class. if anyone is to start this i would say they should start with a smaller time like 3 minutes and build up to the ten. but i found this a really fun process
@@r0l0.tty1 great advice! 10 minutes can be a lot to start. The time is not nearly as important as the practice itself.
this is really smart i'll try it out! thanks ;)
One thing that make me stick with writing is having an ugly journal. It's a trashy notebook I didn't end up using for uni. I tear up pages, I paint them, I destroy, doodle, stick silly things. Not having a pretty, fancy journal relief the pressure of having to write pretty and not make mistakes. I really recommend it :)
I do this too but every time I open my ugly journal I wish I had a pretty one. But usually when I write I’m anxious or depressed so in the moment I don’t care how the pages or my handwriting look. My journal is a wreck but I wish I had one of those pretty, neat ones 😭
same! I have used nicer journals before but I find that I'm the most intense and honest with it when I'm using a plain 99c composition book.
Nice! I’m the opposite, when I have an ugly journal I am less tempted to write in it than when I have a nicer one. It because a whole ritual. That and having a nice pen too!
I noticed this too because I started to write way more in my journal when it was just a random writting book tht was so old and had teared papers here and there and looked mudy lmao maybe it truly relived the pressure of writting neat and keeping it beautiful
Yeahh I do that same thing and I feel more chill about the mistakes I've made while journalling. The book I'm using for journalling is filled with miscellaneous things such as my doodle, reminder, to do list, n tips n tricks.
For the people that are not in the headspace to write, just openning the diary and writing "nothing" it is valid, useful and an honest journaling experience.
Huh I like that idea, personally I get a bit too hung up on trying to be consistent and have an entry everyday but I get blocked cause sometimes I have nothing to say. I think I'll try this
Great call. I just commit to writing 2 lines about what happened recently.
Me too @@Foxiesz
Books on tape are not reading.
The beauty of journaling is that there's no restriction in what to journal. You could recap the best moments of your day, you could do an annual review, you could reflect on failures, you could write bullet points about interesting observations of your surroundings, you could even journal about your job and what you learnt in school that day. And since you're writing in your own voice, you tend to remember what you wrote very clearly.
bollocks. its the exact opposite for me
I started journaling about a year ago because a therapist once said I live too much in my head, she suggested that I tried paying more attention to the world in my day-to-day life and writing down things I noticed, and it honestly helped, because then I started paying attention to what was making me feel how I feel, so it's also a place for venting.
I started it by free writing on my laptop then I got a binder and I fill it with as many pages I need, I also enjoy punching holes on paper
I have this same issue. i tend to spend more time thinking than actually experiencing life. I'm definitely gonna try to discipline myself with journaling so that i can mitigate this issue.
I think I should try that. I hv a bad habit of living too much in my head. Could you give further details?
@@silvercomet2245 my experienced tip would be: start free writing about whatever is flowing in your head. Do not worry about analogue or digital in the beginning, just make it comfortable for you as you could find you really have a lot to write. Just dump it.
Start with only 1 rule:
After writing reread what you wrote and reflect on what the situations you wrote about mean to you. And write that down too.
In the proces you’ll find out what works best for you:
-the moment of the day to write
-the tools you need
-how you use your journal
This can change over time but that’s ok. You only have 1 rule: reflecting.
omg same i enjoy punching holes on papers too!
I cannot imagine a day in my life without having one of my ‘zillion’ (!) journals with me, or near to me. I began at age 7 years and I am now 70 years. I’m a lover of stationary, pens, papers, beautiful Journals, etc,. Must have been a scribe in a previous life! My journal is my best friend, my listener, my constant companion and my exploration buddy in every single aspect of my life on this planet. The best stress buster available and great for anxiety too. I go nowhere without a Journal. It’s the best place to keep memories , worries, concerns, observations, etc and give your brain a rest too (put stuff on the page and not in your inner filing system!). Great video - I really enjoyed all that you said and suggested. Thank You 🙂
We have a lot in common!
I really like that, thanks for sharing!
Serious questions: what happens to people's journals after they die? And second - what would YOU like to happen to them ?
I’ve been journaling for around four years on an almost daily basis and it has been extremely beneficial for me. I’ve found out that writing freehand (just with pen and a notebook) is much better for me when expressing ideas or thoughts about life in general. Journaling is therapeutic. What a life changing habit if done on a constant basis! I cannot recommend it enough! Happy New Year!
i've been writing diaries for just over a century and i am now in a effing wheelchair
Chaotic journaling with collecting ideas, favorite things, quotes, and writing about my journey to healthier me and manifesting pages, collages, drawings etc. Anything but "Dear diary today I went to the grocery store" - stuff 😄 It has helped me to collect ideas and to see my progress
same and its so much more fun to read later. it really captures what you feel at that moment in your life
I use a journaling method called “In the sphere of silence” which is a one hour date with oneself. It involves reflection, planning, visioning, reading, summarizing and silence.
i started a journal in may 2021. i freewrite, scribble,draw,glue stuff in. it has been so therapeutic and helped so much as someone who doesn't have access to mental health resources
It helped me in my teen years, when I felt lonely, ugly, and had no one trustful enough to tell what I was feeling. A simple notebook (it was the 70's), a pen and radio to listen to my favorite songs.
i really want to journal in a physical notebook but i live with other people and i don't trust them not to read it :(
I was very intimated at first because I was in a very bad mental state like a year ago and I just started with doodling. Just drawing without thinking basically and writing some words if you want to. I am a horrible drawer but now looking back at them I still know what I meant by most of them, even if it were just abstract lines. So that maybe helps!
That’s really good advice! I hope your mental state has been improving since then!
@@queenbuzybee4074 way better! Thank you!
For me, freewriting works wonders! I just write everything that's in my head - it's like my anxious thoughts are not in me anymore, they're in my journal. I write it everyday right before going to bed, but I need to write on something that has a keyboard. Hate writing on my phone and a real physical journal simply isn't for me. Since I started journaling I just stopped one time for a month and my life just got messier and messier - I then realized how important journaling was for me and never stopped since then.
I'm a psych prof about to retire after 40 plus years of teaching. Journaling feels right to me now as I transition to this new phase in my life. Thank you! The commonplace approach combined with a deep dive feels right to me. I'm going to begin there. Definitely analogue for me. The paper, pen, etc. makes my heart sing.
I'm personally a fan of having a bullet journal for structure, productivity, and creativity (I draw and decorate my bujo) and then having a free writing journal for my thoughts and feelings or funny/memorable moments of the day. I don't use my free writing journal every single day but my bujo is usually at least opened and used for trackers everyday. Before I started journaling I couldn't keep track of everything in life and I would get overwhelmed easily. The act of writing things down and color coding tasks helps me so much. Writing about a really good day or a really bad day and unpacking that on paper helps me to unload those thoughts and feelings; I don't hold onto them and carry them around like I would before.
I've been journaling off and on for nearly 40 years. Some periods of my life it was daily, sometimes more than once a day. In other periods it was sporadic. Every now and then a year or more -- never more than 2 years. As I've gotten older it's not so much the day to day observations I journal about. The last few years have been more journaling about my dreams and their intensity, their locale - recurring or not, the people in them, etc... I've also taken to noting the phase of the moon at the beginning of the entry. To try to understand the patterns and rhythms in my dreams.
I love the idea of the reflections journal. Reflecting on what you read. In my seminary years, I used to do that with scripture.
Now I am fascinated by consciousness and the interconnectivity of it all and the esoteric and celestial. So a beautiful sunset or rise of the Pleiades in the eastern sky or Orion, etc... is more apt to spark my journaling and pondering.
I tend to use the blank journal books from Barnes and Noble or other bookstores. My favorite phase in life so far was from 2007 to 2011 when the journal I used was one with a cover of psychedelic skulls on them. Ironically, it coincided with my cancer treatment journey for ocular melanoma and so the theme of the cover sort of foreshadowed the theme of entering mid life with this cancer journey and the questions that arise from that.
Thanks for a great topic and episode.
Been journaling for a year now, what worked so well for me and continues to do wonders are Free writing and reading reflections. They keep me in my writing phase. ❤
I’ve tried journaling all my life and always failed until the beginning of 2022. This time I decide to keep a simple reading journal and actually commit to it. I basically write the name of the book, author and date, followed by a brief summary of the text and my thoughts on it (Did I like the book? Why?).
I slowed down mid-october, but I managed to write a short “review” for practically every book I read this year and I already bought a notebook for 2023. It’s amazing the amount of things you can find out about yourself by writing notes on what you read. My top 5 were:
1) I’m annoyed by books/characters that explain themselves too much, but like it when they break the “forth wall”;
2) When it comes to writing female characters, I’m more critical of female authors (probably cause I expect more from them/underestimate male writers);
3) I like middle grade novels even more as an adult (oh sweet nostalgia);
4) The type of format I read depends on the book (ex.: for first person narrators, I tend to listen to audiobooks);
5) I would like to read more poetry.
It takes some time to get into it, but I hight recommend reading journals for anyone who wants to start writing more.
good. me too. i hate writing my thoughts. nearly always complete gibberish
Bros, I love journaling. It helps me feel so much less stressed about my life and more comfortable in my mind. I started a planner in high school when I had like five overdue assignments and from there I just had a really great experience. My advice to anyone who wants to start journaling, or anyone who has done it for a while, is to not get stuck in a specific structure. There are planning, recording and reflecting sides in journaling, and there are benefits to every form of doing them. Do whatever form you like when you feel like it and then I think you'll have a great time.
I don’t know if you can count it as journaling, but this what I do:
everyday before I go to sleep, I write three positive things about myself and three positive things that has happened that day. The notebook that I have let me write on one page for three days (if you know what I mean :)). The positive things can be written in one/two sentences, whatever suits you. Not only is it giving me a good feeling before I go to sleep, it really motivates me to do it since it is a minimum work! Only thing I use are a notebook, pencil and a small flashlight (so that I dont have to walk to turn off the light :D) and i keep it all under my pillow.
I started this when I was at my lowest point aka June 2020. I am now writing in my second notebook! I love reading back what happened at certain days. This is a suggestion that I wanna give and hopefully it inspires others as well :))
I am inspired. Thank you.
Isn’t there a danger of the pencil getting stuck in your ear or poking you in the eye during the night while you’re sleeping?
This sounds like an incredible idea for me to potentially alter my self talk
Something that also helps a lot to keep up with the habit of journaling often when you think "I have nothing to write about" is to have a list of journal prompts that you can pick from to get you started
Everything in my life has a journal, and the more I explore there the more journals to fill. Currently, I have 2 commonplace journals, and my daily journal I use them every day! Recently I started a journal for all my pet family. Being an owner of eight other beings has me motivated to take more pictures and document the moments. In total I use 10 different journals to document specific events in my life, it has become a labor of love and I'm able to share my story with my children and loved ones. I encourage people to journal even if it's just drawings it's a reflection of where you are or were in a space in time.
I love the end where you mention “to take the time to reflect and think about the pros and cons of each system” because I feel like that’s a missing vital part of these types of videos. Its all an individual process and you can’t have someone tell you whats best for you, you gotta take time and reflect on yourself.
“Micro-journaling” can also be helpful for beginners or those who have struggled with keeping up a habit of journaling!
Grab a notebook (or Word document for those who have negative associations with a physical journal and the stress of trying to perfectly perform a journaling habit - there is no shame at all in changing formats to make a practice more accessible for your mental health!). In that notebook/document, write *as little as you want to* when you happen to want to write. It can be one line, one paragraph, one page, or whatever you choose for that moment. It doesn’t have to be every day. It can be multiple times a day. It’s just what works for you to be able to write down what you’re thinking or feeling in a given moment, or what you want to remember for the future.
This process allows you to get comfortable with the routine and action of journaling over time, enabling your brain to approach the practice without the pressure of a daily habit or the expectation of a long, grandiose entry every time you sit down to write. Since it’s a similar amount of effort to typing a text/Tweet/post/etc., this “micro-journaling” method helps a lot of folks escape the artificial pressure of “perfectly journaling” and allows them to embrace a practice that’s beneficial to their long-term health (when done in a way that actually works for them). It also tends to open the floodgates and make writing more appealing on the whole. Would recommend!
In my journal, I write the date, then whatever. If I feel inclined the include the time, cool. If I don't, cool. I only write the date once, and I don't bother with starting on a fresh page. I have one entry that is two sentences updating on an immediate concern I had the night before. That was my day. I have other entries that take most of a page. I had a lot to process. I'm thinking about throwing a habit tracker in, but we shall see. I'm not inclined to start adding charts and graphs and whatever nonsense online personalities are pushing.
Also, neat handwriting be damned. If I'm writing for someone else, I'm typing. My journal is for me, not my camera.
I kinda do that now. i record my emotions on my calender on my phone daily and keep track of what happened that day. Sometimes i'll put a sentence in the notes to explain and it relieves me from having to write out EVERY. SINGLE. THING. thats happened for that day. Sometimes i get overwhelmed and i end up feeling those feelings all over again when the entire point of me journaling is to release those repressed feelings. I didn't know this had a name, so thanks for commenting this.
Was only thinking about doing this as I embark on starting my journaling......again! I am just going to write the date in red and then whatever underneath. If I write something in the morning then something in the arvo etc, then that's great. When I note take at work I also just jots notes all over the page, not in line underneath each other. I circle bits and underline others. I am going to take this approach in my journaling. If I see a quote I like, I will write it on the side of the page, not directly underneath. I am going to be less constrictive and less perfect in the journalling.
For those who has psychological problems like anxiety or even insomnia, I would recommend to write before (or at least 1-2 hours before) sleep, but use the second person voice when you write about yourself. It means that in stead of saying "I feel" you write "you feel". Then it becomes conversation with yourself. Also, write without thinking too much, like freewriting. It really helps to collect and spill out all thoughts and have more clear head before going to bed.
(of course, you can use the first person voice too, if it feels better for you.)
I love this idea! Thank you!
my method is apparently freewriting and i've been keeping a journal/diary since i was 12, for more than 13 years. i believe what made me stick with it is that i write whenever i want to. sometimes i don't write for days, sometimes i write multiple times a day, and sometimes i write 5 pages in one sitting and sometimes i just write one short sentence. no restrictions, no rules. i don't view it as a task to be completed, so i can stick with it easily without getting intimidated by the idea of it. maybe this could help someone too. 🥺
I started journaling, free-writes reflecting on my day and self-reflection, in my teens; but it didn't really stick until about three years ago, when my therapist gave me "homework", a prompt to follow each day-- one thing that made me smile, another that made me frown. That was extremely helpful to induce me to think very particularly (critically?) about my life in a simple way. For me at least, I think that a really important issue to consider in journaling concerns how honest you're willing to be with yourself *about* yourself.
I haven't tried the other methods than freewriting, but I really appreciated learning about them!
I've been journaling for almost 3 months, everyday (sometimes multiple times a day) I'll sit down and free write. It's been extremely helpful for my mental health. I'm far less anxious and depressed since starting a freewriting journal. I also keep a bullet journal of sorts where I track daily habits (did I take my medications, how many times did I drink water).
I actually started with a gratitude journal, writing 5 things I was thankful for, and really built a daily practice. Now I do that and freewriting a few days a week in a separate journal. I am now interested in trying a commonplace book.
I love your channel. As someone trying to get back into writing (especially journaling-I’ve started a few for different things) and reading, your videos have been very helpful to me.
I used to journal daily from about 6-16. My mother was often obsessive and unkind, and began to read my journals and messages to my friend when I was 14 onward. I tried moving my journals to Xanga (earlier 00’s) and she read those too. She’d corner me and yell in my face about what I’d write. Anything but happiness was unacceptable. I could go on, but I think that’s all I need to say.
I’ll be 32 in a few days and I’m determined to get back to journaling. It helped my memory, writing skills, reading comprehension, empathy, processing, the list goes on. I’ve tried many times over the years to get back into it, but I’ve felt literally ill and scared of writing again. I normally throw away or delete everything I start.
Going to utilize some ideas here to get started again. Thank you 🙏🏼
I’ve been thinking about how part of the loneliness epidemic might be rooted in the lack of time spent thinking - we move between distractions and consume but it is difficult to really take time to step back and think “I actually do feel loved by others and I’m not alone” and let that sink in
I've been journaling since I was 8 years old. I started because I just thought the idea of having a journal sounded fun lmao. So I started, and I've never stopped. As I've gotten older it's become more of a constant and regular thing, but it's fun. I feel like when I'm journalling I'm connecting back with every version of myself who've journaled before and it makes me so happy :) it's lovely to have all of my childhood thoughts written between covers, it's fun to pull them out and laugh about certain entries with friends and refer to exactly how I was feeling about events as I was experiencing them. It's like a fun little library of me :)
Something I thought I'd add is if you have a printer filling your journal with things that you love and pictures of memories from that time can really add a lot of fun to the journalling process.
I’ve thought about the digital vs. analog question for a long time now, decades in fact. And I’ve come down firmly on the side of … both. On the digital side, I mostly use an iPad with a bluetooth keyboard/case that turns it into a mini-laptop. For software, I mostly use Notability and MSWord for the iPad. The kind of journaling I do (I don’t even call it journaling - I just call it writing stuff down) doesn’t fit neatly into any of the categories you listed, but incorporates elements of free-writing, keeping a commonplace book, keeping a book journal, along with a lot of planning, analysis and introspection. When I’m trying to make a difficult decision, getting all my thoughts written down and then organizing them - moving them around, even editing them -helps me arrive at a decision and also to sometimes realize that maybe I had already made the decision before I even started the analysis. I love the ability that my digital solution gives me to edit and move text around, to combine photos, screenshots, hand-drawn material using the Apple Pencil, cut-and-pastes from websites, links to websites, etc. And I also love that it takes up virtually no physical space and I can carry my entire library of “notebooks” as well as my entire Kindle library with me wherever I go. It’s also great in terms of organization and being able to find things that I wrote.
But I also love the physical act of writing in a notebook, and I recognize the value of having to slow down, of not being able to move text around, to reorganize. So I use both analog and digital means. Often I find that I’ll start something in a notebook, and then I’ll switch to the iPad when I want to go broader and deeper, or if I feel that something I started would benefit from more development and organization. There’s no reason you have to choose one way over the other.
personally. irregular journaling is what lifts the pressure and gives me all of the benefits of regular journaling. it is like a therapy. great video!
I started Journaling around my first year of college when my philosophy professor assigned it as hw. I have the same book and write on it whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious. It's such a vulnerable place for me. It's been 5 years now and have moved onto notion where I keep a common place book, a dream analysis book, a to do list, my goals for the future, etc. I love the app because I can write from almost any device. I also keep a different journal where anything goes for my more creative side :)
I love to combine art and journaling together! I use words for the things I can articulate in language, and art for the parts that are more abstract (like how a person rips up a piece of paper when they are angry, only the drawing equivalent) 💖 I've been journaling for years for mental health improvement and creative reasons, and doing so in longhand form is so much more cathartic for me than if I use a computer. Thanks for the great video! You've definitely gained a subscriber!
I really like the freewriting method, it feels so natural and having no restrictions is quite helpful to lift all anxiety issues, the text just flows from my mind to the page, so delightful. I can't imagine how I would fill, say, a five year journal, having just a tiny space for each entry feels like a nightmare. I'm trying bullet journal this year, I really hope that it's not that restrictive and will allow me to mix freewriting with structured entries, task tracking and indexing. Hope bujo indexing will help me to navigate through the old entries (the main problem you mentioned about freewriting is bugging me hard).
Thanks for the video and tips!
I bought a mini composition book, bought a leather case for it and a small leather belt bag to keep my tiny book my pencil and eraser. I just put on that belt bag on either with jeans, chinos, or even with shorts or stuff that don’t have belt loops. I hate keeping pencil, pens, erasers, etc in my pockets so that bag makes things much more convenient. It’s a tight fit for my book but that’s perfect because it it really slim that I can even lay on it and not be bothered. The vintage brown leather on both the belt and case looks great with everything I wear, either a suit or a shirt and shorts. I’ll leave the links below. I have been enjoying journaling much more ever since I got my case and bag cause it looks more aesthetic and the feel of leather is just nice. It’s just convenient and looks like an essential piece that I just have on me no matter what I’m wearing, either in the house all day, out in town, or even out in nature. The only time I don’t wear this is when I am working out but that is because I have a workout logbook I bring with me.
Refillable Leather Pocket Notebook - Mini Composition Cover - Fits Standard 4.5 x 3.25 Mini Composition Book (Vintage Brown) a.co/d/cmAgaA1
Hide & Drink, Waist Pouch Handmade from Full Grain Leather - Fanny Pack, Bag, Purse, Phone Holder Cable Case, Easy Travel for Digital Nomads - Bourbon Brown a.co/d/8Krw9qS
Mini Composition Notebook, Cute 30 Pack Black Narrow Ruled Mini Composition Books Bulk by Feela, Small Pocket Marble Journal Notebooks for Kids Students College Office, Pocket Size 4.5 x 3.25 in a.co/d/f20UD0B
I started journaling and I love it so much. I also do the morning pages as well. Usually, I have no idea how to start, but before I know It, my pen can't stop writing.Then my evening journal is where I make sense of my day, emotions, introspect, write about the book I read or currently reading etc. What helped me was actually purchasing a nice book that makes me want to write in it lol. It is this leather bound antique looking book that feels so good to write in.
I journal daily in a physical book to record the happenings of the day…as a memory keeper. I also journal digitally, password-protected, so I can unload my true feelings without worrying about someone else reading it. If there is ANY chance of someone else reading it….I won’t feel free to be brutally honest. ( doesn’t matter if someone ever actually reads it or not) I have to journal daily. That is my ME-time. My chance to examine my life. Give myself validation or question my perspective on matters etc. If a day or two goes by and I haven’t journaled for some reason, then I am not myself.
( I love pens and paper too!)
For me when it comes to journaling, I view it this way.
1. It helps me recap on the day and remember key details about it.
2. When I put my thoughts onto paper, I recollect them easier several days later.
3. For longevity reasons, I feel that if I write something I want to tell my future self or kids about, I can “hear the thoughts” of my past self.
Another way to look at this like if you were to look at a photograph. When most do so, they are taken back to that time for a moment. Which I’d love to do when I’m much older.
Great video! Thanks for posting
So, I have actually been watching journaling videos because for some reason I do actually find them interesting and inspiring. The fact that all these people talk about the same thing in such a different way is just fascinating. Everyone really is different.
This brings me on to the point I wanted to make. I was watching a particular video in which the UA-camr was challenging herself to follow Virginia wolfs journaling structure for thirty days but I ended up taking more away then what I initially thought I would.
She was struggling to keep up with the challenge and so switched to more descriptive challenges. She would describe her room. But the activity I will definitely remember is the one she called sprinting. You take a word prompt, set a timer and just write. It allows for more freedom and let’s you just write. Simple as that.
But after talking about this, she mentioned figurative writing. Now back in school when we would criticise and analyse books, we would look at how what was wrote is from the perspective of the character. And yet this UA-camr highlighted that the narrator is in fact the author. They are the same person and so what’s written was written by the author. She spoke about how a simple phrase “the bus was yellow like a daisy” does in fact reveal something about the author. Because daisy is a flower, there are connotations of spring and joy. The author my have a more positive look on life than an author who might have wrote “the bus was yellow like the tape you see warning you not to cross into a crime scene” these authors are very different with different outlooks. Different life’s.
I started journaling, the last year of the Covid lockdown. My way of journaling… is writing on my laptop. Specifically, I use my email to journal. I create a folder in my gmail. I type very, fast 60words a minute or more. I simply send myself an email! The subject section is always the same name that I use when journaling. For, me, my journal is very, very, private and personal. With that in mind. I would NEVER want my journals to be read by anyone. Even, when I pass… at some point in my life. So, sending myself an email, with my open, very deep thoughts… writing and then I put that day’s journal in my email file folder. The date and time are already apart of the email. Works for me, at, this point. Thank You!! JD of Michigan ✌️
JD, this is the exact method I use for people that end up ruminating on "Do I use a paper journal or digital? Which app?" And so on.
Everyone has email and they most likely carry it around in their pocket.
I first started journaling during quarantine when my mental health was shit and I couldn’t express myself to anyone cause my main problem was actually with communication; I kinda stopped doing it for like 5 months and I’ve recently started again cause I missed it so much! Starting journaling was honestly one of my best decisions in life, it really helps to get out of art blocks and avoid constant anxiety crisis.
Thank you Jared this was really helpful. I truely appreciate you putting such deep and thought provoking content in such a simplistic way. I started journaling on January 1, 2021. Initially, I wrote before bed, documenting daily events and tasks for the next day. But as unfinished to-do lists grew, the habit became stale.
After a break, I revived journaling, embracing free-writing and reflection. This shift helped me explore emotions, thoughts and experiences objectively.
Now, in 2024, I journal sporadically, driven by emotional needs or challenges. Journaling brings calm, clarity and growth, transforming me into a more objective, reflective person.
I don't really journal but I write a lot of songs and write a book and in those things I can say every single thing I have on my mind, I don't know if it has the same benefits as journalling but I know its boosts my happiness.
I am committed to analog journaling. I love the feel of pen/pencil on good paper. I love the tactile coupled with the intellectual. I am not a calligrapher, but, as a retired elementary school teacher, I taught handwriting for years and enjoy the look of either/or manuscript of cursive letters on a page. For me it offers a physical discipline as a frame for the mental discipline of writing. The added benefit of writing pen to paper is the emotional honesty revealed by the handwriting on a certain page read in reflection.
I have a journal from Michaels and I try to have the habit of writing in it every day. I glue little notes from throughout my day, I talk about kind interactions I've had that day. I especially us it for just writing down random thoughts and poetry. But one of the main reasons I do it is because I want something to look back at and be proud of. Great video
The Commonplace Book + Free-Writing Hybrid Method sounds really enticing. I have been collecting thoughts here and there in my Notes App, but I've been thinking about starting a journal for more in depth reflection. Thanks for the insight, Jared. It's nice to have a community of like-minded individuals, regardless of it being online.
as someone getting started with bullet journaling, i think it's great cause it's extremely flexible so you can adjust it to whatever you need, while still having enough of a basic structure that you can stay organized. it really tickles my brain.
Thank you for making this video. I desperately need structure to in my life. I’m not proud to admit, at aged 66 years old I have never kept a diary, rarely used a calendar and I have never journaled in my life. However, today your video popped up and this has been an awakening for me. I’m off to get some good quality note books and pens. Today, I have made a decision I need journaling in my life! Thank you one again, great subject, presentation and content.
I started journaling with a commonplace book, and had no idea it was a thing till right now. I stressed over it having no organization, but could not create any structure while writing, for like a week. Then after having a few pages I just embraced the chaos of it, and LOVE writing in it now! I definetly agree that everyone should keep a commonplace journal.
I found it difficult to flip back and review what it is I had been writing in the past. What helped me, and added the tiniest bit of structure, is to have a few pages in the beginning reserved for page numbers and what corresponding broad topics are there. Like, if I find a great meatloaf recipe, I'll write it down, and go to the front of the book to note *pg. 5 meatloaf*. This is of course just an example. It really helps me when I know I have the answer, I just gotta find it...
I've actually tried all but two of these methods in my 10+ years of journaling! Here are my notes on each style based on your personality:
1. Freewriting - if you're a person who doesn't like structure, needs a place to vent/express emotions/thoughts, and you enjoy the act of writing, I'd recommend this method. Just write about your day, reflect on your emotions, vent about the little annoyances, or look for things to be grateful about. Present you might think your day was boring, but future you will enjoy looking back on the little moments. You're writing a journal, not an autobiography. There's no pressure to be interesting or funny.
2. Five Year Journal - I kept a three year journal, and it was so much fun looking back on what I was doing exactly 1 or 2 years ago. If you enjoy structure and want a habit that's fairly easy to keep up, this is a good place to start. Knowing that you only need to write a few sentences each day makes it less intimidating.
3. Bullet Journaling: this requires some time to set up. You'll need to experiment with different spreads to know what works for your life. However, if you're a flexible yet consistent planner, bujos will work great for you. Personally, I migrated to a digital system because I made my bujo a glorified to-do list anyway. However, there's a big community to pull inspiration from if you enjoy the creative aspect, and you're free to make it as simple as possible, just like the original system.
4. Commonplacing: if you consume a lot of media and you like having some kind of theme to your entries, this is the one for you. I started commonplacing just this year and found that I started appreciating the things I'm watching/listening to or reading more. It's like a game of trying to find a diamond in the rough. Especially when you've made it a habit to try and find something good to write down each day.
Again, I've never tried morning page or reading reflections before, but I imagine they're fairly similar to freewriting and commonplacing anyway. I hope this rambly comment helped!
I’ve been a journal writer for years; as I’ve aged, it’s become more visual and artistic rather than just words - I find a lot of satisfaction in looking back over the year and seeing my creative expression in line drawings, watercolors and collages vs. just the written word. But I love nice pens and smooth paper, so I do incorporate all of my appreciation for those things into my analog annual journals. Thanks for this reflection - I am teaching journaling to some older folks and encouraging them to express themselves however it feels best to them.
I have been bombarded with journaling videos today and one style that I have been mulling over, as someone who struggles to ever keep up with journaling at all, is "Dopamine Journaling." You take 2 minutes and write down one statement about what was good that day. A small achievement, an activity, finishing an essay, maybe some grand adventure you went on.... Whatever. If it was a good thing to reflect on that day, put it down. Even if you miss a day or two, pick up where you left off, fill in where you can, and carry on. At the end of each month, take time to reflect, mark what was particularly of note. (Not the biggest and best, just the most notable) Make some goals for next month to improve or act upon and see where time takes you!
I started journaling a few months ago and i been LOVING IT. I remember trying it out a few years ago and not liking it at all, i used to think i had to do the same stuff people would do, like journaling in the morning everyday and for me that would feel too bothersome, it felt like i was doing a task rather than something i should enjoy, until a few months ago where i started doing the free writing technique, and i instantly fell in love with journaling. I think you did a great job on explaning a few ways people can journal without it feeling like a task. Great video, absolutely loved it🤍
Haha I have a "commonplace book", in addition to my regular journal, but I call it my "dump journal" because I just put anything I want in it (lyrics, cooking recipes I like, collage, paint, rant, thoughts, etc.). It's very liberating to add some chaos somewhere !
I have been journaling ever since I could write. I remember writing little things to myself on ripped up pieces of paper. I was a nose picker as a kid and my sisters constantly teased me about it. I was even caught picking in pictures. One day I caught my sister picking her nose. That was my first journal entry, I wrote about it in a piece of paper in a few sentences folded up the paper in the smallest form possible and hid them under the couch. That was the beginning of my love of journaling! When my mom found all my notes, she took me to the store and bought me my first small mead notebook. She too journaled and told me that this way we can have it all organized. I love journaling!!!
I'm an archaeology student, and I think because of that I am always thinking about what I am leaving behind, and what future archaeologists and historians are going to find about me. That's why I've kept physical daily journals since I was in middle school, so that one day, someone somewhere can see what I was doing on any given day, what I was like, what I thought, and what I felt.
I am keeping a journal for 13 years now. I've tried different ways.
What works for me:
Freewriting - I like writing longer entries. I use it to think, to undrstand my feelings and reactions, to analyse life updates.
Morning pages - a great tool for decluttering your head and getting to know yourself better!
Certainly analog! Fountain pen and notebooks with dots are my favourites.
I have A5 notebook for journaling, A4 - for morning pages. And many many little notebooks for different stuff.
Should try a commonplace book, thanks for an idea!
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@@mjolninja9358 День добрый!:))
I agree with you Jared. I've been journaling for 48 years, since i was 9 years old. During a hurricane I lost all my books, about 35 years worth of journals. I still maintain paper journals because that's how I think best. I'd never use a computer to journal even after my horrible experience.
I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it. I´ve kept journals in all kinds of ways too numerous to mention here for 42 years. Journaling has kept me sane. It´s helped me make big decisions. It´s helped me grow up. It´s helped me understand myself, my life, and my place in the world. It´s helped me learn things (languages other than English). Keeping a journal is one of the best habits a person can develop.
Maybe you'd consider doing a follow-up video with thoughts on how to use your journal after you have written in it. I did daily pages for about five years (without missing a day!), but I can't say that I ever felt like it was benefitting me as much as others say it benefitted them. Sometimes I would go back and read what I'd written but the main thought this produced was "what if my children read this after I'm gone?" In general, I found reading my journals to be quite unpleasant. I'd be interested in your thoughts on this and in knowing if you worry about hurting the feelings of others who might read your journals someday....
Honestly, lots of people burn their journals after using them, and thats okay. Sometimes we just need a space to vent for that moment, and we don’t need to reflect on those thoughts. It might feel good and cathartic to get rid of those thoughts and that might be what journalling is for you :)
Personally, I had to think of bullet journaling the other way around (as a journal more than a productivity tool) before it started working for me. Rapid logging, quickly noting things throughout the day, works way better for me than trying to recall after the fact and condense it into phrasing that makes sense. Micro-journaling, sorta. But now with the realization that there are no rules, I like to throw in free writing or reading reflections or even some commonplace practices wherever and whenever I feel like it.
One thing that made start to actually use my journal from what originally was to write my thoughts and feelings but never actually stocked to it was finding out that I could write all the little short stories I had in my head along with the notes from my Current book I’m writing. I initially started this goal by writing a short story every day for seven days and it worked and I found this weird short story that I really liked and later is now the story I’m working on. Right now it’s used for me to write ideas down for the book while I’m writing like how can I add this into the book or how could I do this better while not having me keep the idea in my head for me to forget or taking my focus away from the google doc I have up.
I carry it with me everywhere, have a little pocket for it in my backpack so that I always have access to it. It’s very useful as it really does allow me to write down the story or idea without pulling up something digital which I will forget later.
Last year, I started journaling but not consistent. This year, I will start again because of this video. It may help on my journaling adventure. Thank you, Jared.
1. Just found your channel via this video and it was extremely helpful! Thank you for your explanation and breakdown as I’m just getting into journaling, fountain pens, & fountain pen inks!
2. I have severe ADHD and find it hard to figure out exactly what I need or want in journaling (so again this was super helpful) yet I do like structure as I need it in order to start, but I also like the freedom to have my creativity as well. The common place book you mentioned seems like something right up my alley as I love writing, like the physical act of writing especially with my fountain pens and inks and this is something I can incorporate into my journal when I fell as though I have “nothing to write about” or a “writing block”.
3. I also love the idea of a separate 5 year journal to keep for my son for him to look back over the years when he’s older and see what life was like during these times. Like with significant accomplishments in his school, the weather, important worldly events, etc.
I so appreciate channels like yours as it truly helps someone like myself who is artistic, creative, yet struggles severely with ADHD and sometimes just needs a little guided direction in what to do with my thoughts and how to put them down on paper. So Thank You for taking the time to make this video, it means a lot to someone like me🫶🏼
Thank you so very much for this video; I journalled almost every day (three line 5y journal) from age 12 to 17y and have gone back to it infrequently over that past 40y, I have recently stopped working and want to begin journalling again to form a new routine, I particularly like Reading Reflections, never came across that before. For me part of the pleasure of the ritual is a fountain pen and a notebook, neither had to be expensive, it's the physical act of writing rather than typing, slowing down and commiting your reflections to paper.
I've started, years ago, as I've searched to, as I'm "growing" older, keep myself interested about... everything that I can think interesting.
What is fun, is that, as I love to read, listening to music, I've started to journaling AND using that in the way that as an "avid" reader, i can use that when i'm writing. The music is a plus, not to concentrate, but to reflect a moment, and write about it ! I've also re-discovered how to.. Write, as i've taken a course about "how to learn", that writing it down improves your memory. So... I'm writing about my everyday life/"free style", reflections, or not.. At least 15 mns per day, before getting to bed. So, the other point is the "analog tools" i'm using, the pen.. Pencils, fountain pen (found some old ones at the flea market), even feather pen with some ink, to change the way to "how to" write, the aspects of the letters, it's a kind of multiple layer of different pleasure that is keeping me to write every day about everything.
GREAT Vid Jared!!! in addition : Another method is actually so called 'Mind Jots' , Mind Jots is a great way of starting your day and getting into a journal habit. With Mind Jots you dedicate a (old) journal of just what you have and in the morning (but also evening before bed works very well) you just jot down every thought that is coming up, no matter what the subject, no structure, just jot it down 1 page will turn out to be rarely enough :-) Great for anybody, but especially if you are anxious about something(s). Love and Light from Europe ✨
Just wanted to share my thoughts on how you might like thinking about journaling within a bullet journal.
What’s been great for me as I’ve kept my regular journaling and reflections in my bullet journal is that having my journal there keeps all of those thoughts
1. Associated with the date during which they occur, and
2. In the context they were developed in.
Since I journal within my daily log in the Bullet Journal, the things I did and things that happened that day that had an influence on what I’m journaling about are all surrounding my journal entry. This helps me better reflect on those thoughts later.
I keep a journal and I have noticed a pattern when I use it. I'm more focused that day, happier and more creative. And the things I'm writing are just simple things like how I feel, what I've done or what I'm planning to do that day and what I'm thinking about certain topics that have been on my mind lately. I don't pressure myself to journal every day, but sometimes I journal daily no matter what, because I'm actually enjoying it! It can be different sometimes though, I can forget about my journal for weeks, but that's not very often because I know that I benefit from using it. Also I'm a writer (mostly in the Swedish language) and I've noticed that my writing gets much better when I journal before actually writing on my book projects, to kind of sort out my thoughts a bit before doing the "real" work. Lastly, I want to say that I really enjoy your videos and I've just recently found your channel and have subscribed :) Thank you!
I'm using a 5yr journal for my gratitude journal which is working well as I like to write a minimum of 3 things each day so usually enough room and when limited with space it forces me to be concise
I have a daily or as wanted brain dump/deep journal (You just gave me the idea to call it a deep journal) which I review each week, follow up on anything I wanted to look up and transfer notes I want to keep into relevant permanent journals and then when I fill this book up which is a cheap book like an exercise book or similar, I throw it away in the recycling bin - it feels good to tear it up - letting go of what you just needed to get off your chest or process and what you wouldn't benefit from holding on to. Then I have a folder with a-z dividers that I keep notes in filed alphabetically according to topic or author - notes from You Tube clips; notes from a book etc. I have a journal for miscellaneous quotes. I have a journal I started last year after learning about it from a Ryan Holiday You Tube Clip - He sells a Stoic journal for this purpose but it was late at night and I wanted to start it straight away and you can just do it using an undated A5 diary or a notebook and basically you just use half a page for the morning when you first get up and half a page for in the evening and I have found it to be a great compact way of journalling - getting things off your chest and gathering your thoughts. I love journalling I find it so helpful. The psychologist Martin Seligman recommends at the end of the day reflecting on www - what went well so I like to think of that in the evening also. Life is like an ongoing experiment so always experiment to find what works best for you. Jared thanks for giving me a new name for my daily/weekly journal "Deep Journal" I just watched your clip on writing by hand and enjoyed that also. I don't want to keep loads of journals from every year - especially when I might not want someone else reading what is in my everyday Brain Dump Deep type journal but I do want to keep the insights or learnings I would want to refer back to and it is good keeping these in a ring binder filed a-z because it is so easy to add and remove from.
I love how not only the video itself is enriching and motivating, but also provides the best basis for a delicious discussion of how each one of us struggles with the habit of Journaling in the comments section
I have used a dot grid journal considered a bullet journal and make weekly pages for keeping organized. The rest of the book I used for lists, ideas, image boards made from magazine content, notes, travel and memorabilia from travel like business cards from restaurants I liked, brochures, printed photos, tip-ins made with postcards to give it a more personal feel of what Im doing that year. Im NOT about bujo layouts as they are too time consuming. I never do trackers. If I drink water, Im not going to track it unless its required for medical reasons. I use many types of pens even though a fountain pen is my preferred. I like to use some washi tape, a few stickers to add definition between days or thoughts. I always have a perpetual calendar. The last page is a pen test page so if I get a new ink or pen, I can test for bleed through or ghosting. I like freestyle writing and structure for daily/weekly to-dos. I try to keep this in one notebook. I have seen videos where ppl say ‘these are the journals I’ll be using this year but I have the need to take mine with me everywhere incase I need to make a note of somewhere. I feel lost without it. I’m will reference last year’s journal for lists or ideas I didn’t finish or projects I finally have time to do. Last years bujo worked out fairly well and it was a good journal with more pages then I could use up and the pages were of quality at 120gsm. Thats not bad when purchased through Amazon.
Great tips! I have been journaling for more than a decade now. I write in a physical notebook (love me some fountain pen action) and then type the same entry into my journaling app (Day One; got it back in the day, so it doesn’t carry the subscription cost). That way I get the best of two worlds: slowing down and enjoying the writing process, and digital backup with convenience to write at any moment.
My biggest issue when I started to journal was after I began to be consistent. I was journaling negative thoughts, complaints, and frustrations every day. It caused me to ruminate on everything negative in my life instead of serving me as a creative outlet. Im going to try and reflect on readings or just anything that isn’t about myself. It would be a great exercise for me to think deeper about what I consume instead of just ranting about my problems without actually doing anything about them.
I love journaling! I personally do it about once or twice a week, just when I have to clear my thoughts.
When I want to reflect about something which happened in my life that maybe made me question my morality or that upset me, I simply start writing freehand. Loved the video xx
Another thing that works for me, I write with Pen in CAPITAL LETTERS. Because it slows me down enough to try to hold a single thought long enough to write a sentence in all Caps.
Some people say they write as fast as they can, but I just find I get more good stuff out of my jumble of thoughts when I slow it down and put it in all caps and pen and ink. But that's just me.
I journaled using an electronic note taker when I was in school. Now as an adult, I prefer an audio journal which I record on my phone. I found that I'm a better speaker than a writer, so it works for me. The phone will keep track of the date so I don't have to try to remember things. All I have to do is record my thoughts and then title the recording accordingly. I like this because I can choose a topic for a particular recording, or just go on a rant. I'm a bit wordy but that's okay because I figure it's just for me to get my thoughts out of my head. I love this video and I think there are some great tips in here for people who want to start journaling as you said. I enjoy reviewing my entries months later just to see what was important to me at the time. I also do not give myself any pressure if I miss a few days or even a couple of weeks at a time. I just talk about things that are important to me at the moment or momentous events. Thank you for this video, it was very insightful
In high school I tried to journal, but I didn't stick to it, during the pandemic I would write how I felt that day or how I was feeling isolated and how it was affecting my sibling and parents. I'm now in college and I've stuck to It, I write on it on random days, or I doodle in it, it helps me write down any strong emotions I'm feeling, what I saw, the weather, about my classes or just writing about my day or sometimes a new book a started. it's my form of therapy since I finished, and this helps me out a lot
I love handwritten journals when it comes to this. Every one has a special handwriting style. You can not show this through digital journals and that makes me feel the words on yhe screen are not my own. I also found that my mood changes the way I write. It is fun to look back and instantly know I wrote this entry when I was happy or sad just by spacing and how neat I write.
I use the morning pages as a way to quiet the “ADHD” mind that I seem to now have at 40. I find that journaling before bed & waking up to write morning pages not only manages my anxiety but also streamlines the chaos of thought that floods my mind before I even open my eyes.
I didn’t know it was called a commonplace book! I’ve been keeping one in my notes app on my phone for around 2 years now, I absolutely adore it.
I'm a journaler and have tried many different journaling methods. I don't journal on a daily basis - wait a minute, I guess I do as I keep track of my tarot draws on a daily basis and also keep track of the books I read a couple times weekly (yes, I read - conservatively 2-3 books a week). I have kept a bullet journal, a daytimer, a Franklin planner, morning pages, as well as special limited writings such as specific journaling prompts for 180 days. I have a kind of Commonplace journal in an app called Evernote where I keep quotes, pictures, jokes, recipes, sewing patterns, and anything else I find interesting. Other than the daily and weekly, I'm not really regular with much of anything although I have a wide and extensive collection of dated writings, in journals, on pages and scraps of paper. I do both analog and digital writing. I have some great journals and some awesome fountain pens l love to write with. I find that I mostly do more digital writing as when I write with paper and pen, I can't write as fast as I think and if I can't get it down, I forget what I was going to say. Since I touch type, I prefer keyboarding on a desktop computer where I can pretty much keep up with my thoughts. I would like to be more consistent, but I'm beginning to understand that that just might be my type of journaling. As an octogenarian, I'm pretty stuck in my ways of trying new things on a regular basis. I appreciate your post was good for getting the grey cells moving.
I have found out recently, that I have been keeping a "journal" in my head the last couple of months.
I've noticed that after i am home after work, or home after beeing with familly or friends, I kind of subconsciously go through most of the things I had done during the day, and the interactions I had with people that day.
And I have noticed that by going through those thougts, I learn from the mistakes I have done, or the mistakes other people have done around me.
And I have rapidly become a much better person, and keep getting better every day.
Excellent presentation, well thought out. My first experience in journaling was a classroom assignment in 8th grade English - I hated it - could never think of anything to write and was not excited about someone else reading it. I've tried different types of journaling. I'm currently trying to get back into the habit of journaling every day. I tried keeping a commonplace and daily journal separately but it felt too overwhelming so now I just combine them. Analog is my preferred method, no stopping because the computer pointed out spelling or grammar errors. I agree with your comment about Analog making you slow down. Everyone has to find their own way and it often takes starting-stopping-starting again, repeat, to find what's best for you.
i find it refreshing, I've been doing journaling for couple months now and it helps to keep my thoughts at bay
Found this while searching for best methods of recording daily life events, thoughts, etc. Over time, I tend to forget what happened and what order things happened--conversations get vague in my memory and I'm not sure I've remembered the event accurately. I thought it would be good to start journaling or keeping a diary. This video helped me decide what would work best for me. I'm thinking that if I do the Free Writing style at bedtime, reflecting on the days events and conversations, etc., that would be most beneficial to me. I could write as much or as little as I wanted.
I "get it" that maybe doing it on computer would be best for searching capabilities, but I prefer to write (it improves my handwriting when I practice writing) and my thoughts flow easier.
So, I came up with a sort of solution for the searching aspect. I haven't tried it yet, but it has helped in office settings when I'm organizing and implementing a file system: COLOR CODING. Maybe make a Red Dot for bad days, emotional days, anger, frustration, etc., in the upper right corner or next to the particular entry, it would act as a flag. Blue could signify serene, calm moods or events. Green could be productive, work-related, or financial... Yellow for happy "best days" or events. For Political writings or conversation, maybe use both a Red and a Blue mark. (This also appeals to the artist in me, as I might also sketch or watercolor in this journal!)
I think the mindset that helped me maintain the habit for so long is to not set the expectation that you’d do it everyday. I think once you overcome the mental hurdle of “this is a chore I have to do everyday” journaling becomes so pleasant!
Thank you for your video!
I've just finished a year long journal. Writing an entry every day has become a habit and now my life feels a bit empty without it.
I was inspired by the idea of reading reflection. Quoting books, reflecting on their meaning, adding sketches and more - it sounds fun. I'll try this method. Thank you again!
Great video, thanks. Lots of good ideas. Reading reflections are definitely productive. I'm a journaller, intermittent for many years, but keen to make it a regular practice. And for me it's always been paper and fountain pens. I like to keep "rough" journals, where my immediate thoughts land, and then decant them into a more permanent format, since I find this gives me the opportunity to reflect on and "hone" those first thoughts and the way in which I express them.
I have a new year resolution to write a daily reflection in my second language every evening as a method to improve and get exposure to new vocabulary that I may not have before been exposed to.
I started to keep a journal a few months ago and I’m really starting to see the benefits, It has vastly improved my clarity of thought and allows me to better understand the more complicated and abstract philosophy’s.
Thank you so much for introducing me to the idea and furthuring my understanding of journaling with such a great video.
my journaling method is actually the combination of almost everything you said in this video, lol. i journal every night before going to sleep, free writing in the form of bullet points where i can write about anything; thoughts, feelings, how my day went, reflections of media i consumed, any trivia stuff i found, basically everything i can pour from my mind, long or short. it's freewriting, bullet journaling, commonplace book, reading reflections, and -morning- night pages at the same time. i'm using digital platform because that's the only way i can be consistent in journaling. the five-year journal seems interesting, though. i'm gonna try this one next year using pen and notebook! thank you for the insightful video :)
Very late to this video but this was extremely helpful. I’ve been journaling for years and when my son was born over a year ago, I switched to journaling from analogue to digital, because I thought it would save me time in the busy transition to parenthood. But instead I just completely fell out of the habit, so now I’m trying to get back into journaling. Thanks for the great insights!
I'm using freewriting together with reading reflections types. Not everyday habit but I'm on my way to it. Also prefer an analogue version. Using a fountain pen with ink that I enjoy and the type of paper that I enjoy. My daily life is fully between computer and smartphone so, I really enjoy to slow it down, relax and try to reflect all the things that are in my had on the paper. And I'm adding a section with my thoughts about a few chapters of a book that I'm reading.
But the real treasure that I've found is that when you return to your journal in few years to remind what was in your had, what inspired you or what was your vision of this World. It's just a treasure and pure enjoy to read your thoughts and compare with yourself nowadays. You can see how you progressing and even get a nostalgie about the things that were matter in the past and it's just nothing for you now(mostly about problems that seemed very big and destructive).
Don't journaling because it can be popular. Try to journal to relax and enjoy. Journal starting from small. Like today I did this and that. Then you can add more thoughts about everything and about books and about what inspires you or what affects. Enjoy!
when I was younger I kept one single notebook that I would use for everything: journaling, commonbook, doodles and it was so good! because I had it on me all the time and the approach without any structure or purpose helped me to let go of any pressure that would suffocate my writing attempts. I would indicate commonplace stuff with quotation marks and the source; literature, music, movies and book recommedations with a visual indicator and so on. anything without markers were my original thoughts and ideas. the best way to journal is the way that makes you actually journal and keep at it. start messy and once you get the habit of it and see where your writing preferences and needs lie you can upgrade towards a specific approach.
at least that's how it works for me, I can totally see how someone else might profit from an more organized approach that provides an outside structure to follow along.
hi, Jared! I started journaling during the pandemic and it really helped me get through those tough times. Today, I use two types of journaling. One of them is simply writing whatever is on my mind, usually to vent or immortalize precious memories I've had. The other one is organizing and scheduling my readings. Personally, being a neurodivergent person, having well-structured and scheduled relaxing moments with books is how I catch up on my reading,
Loved the tips, def going to implement some of them!