Blog 05.06.2020

On The Art Of Keeping A Journal

“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” – Anne Frank

(verywellmind.com)

“The habit of writing for my eye is good practice. It loosens the ligaments.”
― Virginia Woolf

(Frida Kahlo’s Journal)

No Judgement! There’s absolutely no judgement when writing in your private journal. Jotting down bits and pieces of ideas, outlines for longer entries, and daily happenings are all helpful ways to get the creative juices flowing for new (as well as seasoned) writers.
Journals are Ideal for Brainstorming: A small journal that can be carried everywhere is highly beneficial as one can write down ideas as they present themselves.
A Journal is a Great Keeper of Secrets and Events: It even serves as one’s memory. If something strikes you, write it down as soon as possible so you don’t forget.
Write Down the Day’s Events(whether they seem important or not): You’ll be surprised to look back, in years to come, at your daily musings.
It Inspires Creativity: You’ll be surprised that the act of doing is more inspirational than just about anything. Stop thinking about writing and get to it!
It Keeps Thoughts Organized: Outlining stories, plot ideas, and character details is essential to keeping the elements of your craft in order.

(Mark Twain’s notebook, 1884)

Good Exercise: Just like everything else, writing becomes habitual.
Practice : Writing becomes easier the more you do it. It won’t seem like a foreign activity if you practice regularly.
A Daily Meditation: Writing every day is meditative. It won’t seem as daunting once it becomes a part of your daily routine.

“In the journal I am at ease.” – Anais Nin

(An excerpt from one of Sylvia Plath’s journals, complete with sketches)

“In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could to any person; I create myself.” – Susan Sontag

Self-Care: Keeping a journal and writing every day—whether inspiration strikes or not—is calming and productive. It’s important to just let the words flow from your pen (and actually write…do not type) without criticism. It helps to slow us down and concentrate when we go over the events of the day. Taking as little as 10-15 minutes of quiet time to journal is good for the mind and soul.
Self-Reflection: Not only is it important to write down ideas and feelings in order to inspire creativity, but it also helps us to process our emotions. Journaling, especially during difficult times, is a great way of dealing with concerns. Write down all the things that are bothering you. This will help with stress and worry.
Make It Your Own: Decorate the pages of your journal with sketches and drawings. There are no rules when it comes to keeping a journal/notebook, so fill the pages with stickers, color-coded notes, highlighted sections, etc.
Finding Inspiration: Don’t hesitate to fill the pages of your journal with bits of favorite poems, phrases, and quotations. These will help if you feel stuck, uninspired, or discouraged.