Guest Blogger: Sidney Rey

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