When Kelly asked me to guest blog here on Literature and
Lace, I was wondering what I could write about. I do love to read, but when it
comes to reviews I’m likely to tell you it was great and then reveal every
detail of the book. To avoid that, I decided to write about the only type of
writing that I do consistently; Journaling.
I feel like journaling is an activity that seems easy- but
that so may people have a hard time getting started with. In my elementary
years I always wanted to keep a journal. I wanted the pretty covers, the cute
keys and locks, and the pens, and I wanted to write romantic things about being
in love. Well, I was not in love and I hated locking and unlocking my journal
every time I wanted to write. Needless to say, I did not get into keeping a
journal back then.
Over the past two years I have really come to enjoy
journaling. Here are some tips that I have learned that helped me get into
journaling consistently.
1)
No
Pressure. I guess I’m a rebel. Every time that I convince myself that
something must be done, and place
pressure on myself to do it, I immediately self sabotage. This habit of
avoiding or refusing to do things that I put pressure on myself to do made me
avoid journaling for quite some time.
What has worked best for me now is to think of journaling as a calming
time where I can relax. If I have time to do it, good. If I don’t have time or
I don’t make time, oh well. Being more
laid back about journaling makes me more likely to sit down and write.
2)
Write
Freely. I write about anything that I want to in my journal. I write about
events, feelings, food, people, and hopes and dreams for the future. I write
things in my journal that I would never say to someone in real life. I write
about emotions that I feel that I try to repress in daily life. I write
whatever I feel like writing. When I first started journaling I thought that I
had to write every detail of my day in chronological order. Instead of sticking
to the regular flow of daily life, try writing what stands out to you most and
go from there. One of my favorite parts about journaling is the ability that it
gives me to express my emotions and thoughts. Getting them out on paper makes
my head a much calmer place.
3)
Grammar
Police. Guess what? There aren’t any in your journal (unless you are one!).
You are not tied to writing in complete sentences, with proper punctuation, or
even in a line. You are the ruler of
your journal and if you spell every word wrong, but you can tell what it says,
then that’s ok. You are the only one who is going to read it so, be free!
4)
Privacy.
This is one thing that is very important about journaling. You need to be able
to write in confidence that your thoughts and emotions are private.
Unfortunately, when I was younger my mom read my journal and was upset at me
for some of the things that I had written. I was a good kid and my journal did
not reveal huge terrible secrets, but having my emotions and thoughts laid bare
to judgment was scaring. I did not dare to write a journal for years after
that. When you write a journal keep in mind that it may be found and someone
may not respect your privacy. I suggest keeping your journal put away or hidden
so that it is not out in the open for anyone to find and read.
5)
Time.
When you journal is important. I find that journaling at night while preparing
to go to sleep is the best time for me. Journaling before I sleep helps me to
not lay awake forever at night worrying, or harassing myself over the events of
the day or emotions that I’m feeling. Viewing journaling as dumping off the
stress of the day before bed helps me to journal more consistently. If I
attempted to journal in the morning I would never have time to do it.
6)
Make it
Pretty. One of my favorite parts about journaling is owning the pretty
books. I love the patterns on the
covers. I love the ribbons that hold my place. I love using special pens to
write different parts of my entries. When you start journaling having a special
book can make it more fun to write. Also take note of what size your handwriting
is; for me small journals are too small for my huge handwriting. I work best
with a medium sized journal that I can take around with me if needed.
I hope that these tips are useful to you. Do you journal?
What are your tips for beginner journalists? What do you love most about
journaling? Did you use any of my advice when starting your own journal?
Have fun writing,
Sidney Rey Allen
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