As part of my Bullet Journal process I long form journal in whatever notebook is to hand. Working on a list of promotes up to about 100. Dates back to about 2015.
The only journal I ever kept was the 3 weeks we spent in China. I guess I have trust issues about putting anything private and personal on paper. There were too many times when a scandal would break and I would say, “why would anyone write that down??” 😂
Well, it's useful to remember that you get to choose what you put in there ... and you also get to choose the WAY you put it in there. I've heard of people writing personal stuff, but in coded language so only they knew what they were talking about.
I had a bad experience in middle school when I wrote something private in my diary and my parents read it. I got in major trouble. Have never written in a diary again.
Many years ago, I found Auden's commonplace book in my university library and began keeping one of my own. It's full of memories--quotations I love, ticket stubs, travel notes, and whatever is of interest. It's not journaling, per se, but it satisfies me. I write with a Lamy fountain pen, always in black ink.
I love commonplace books--if I were to start another journal-ish project, that's what I'd do. Good for you on the fountain pen! I had too many early bad experiences. I think I've still got ink on my hands from 1979.
I have about 100 journals too. My question is what do you plan to do with all of them when you are in your declining years? I'm 73 so I have to start thinking about these things! 🙂
Now's a great time to go back and re-read them! It's amazing what I had forgotten from just 10 or 15 years back. When the time comes, if you want someone else to read them, put it in your will ... and if you don't, find a trusted friend to dispose of them.
I have a great friend who journals and, because she’s so dedicated to it, I’ve tried a number of times to do the same. I have one notebook with about 5-7 entries. I’m pretty sure that’s the farthest I’ve ever gotten. I’m a pen fanatic, as well, and fall all over myself for the LePens. I bought four recently at Second and Charles, but I wanted every color. I select the color according to the mood. Since you’ve informed my musical choices, I thought I’d share what happened with my great nephew last week. He was spending the night with us and wanted something to listen to as he fell to sleep. We pulled out old CDs and even cassette tapes but couldn’t hit the right thing . . . until I came across Alice’s Restaurant. He loved it. You’ve got to get them early!
I was intrigued with how encompassing your journals are, including drawings and stickers. I have a huge drawer full of these types of memories. Perhaps I could journal in reverse!
At this point, I probably have 200+ volumes of notebooks, diaries, etc. I made a project out of reading and re-reading them in 2015, 2016, and 2017. One of the biggest realizations was that journaling is a note taking process for an autobiography. I know some people feel like you have to be someone interesting to write an autobiography but I believe everyone is interesting, including myself! I often wrote at diners and coffeeshops but found that a few years ago when I started having problems with sleep apnea, I couldn't focus enough to write anymore. I was disappointed for a while and didn't know what to do but was so happy last year to discover I could keep a video diary on my laptop. I have a Mac and I use PhotoBooth to record the videos. I do multiple videos every day, then every ten or twelve days I go through and watch and make notes. It helps me be a better person and to reflect on my life.
2) You're absolutely right that journaling is the rough draft of an autobiography--even if you don't intend it that way at first. When I did my memoir, going back through those old notebooks was incredibly useful.
3) I didn't know you could do videos on Photo Booth! Thanks for teaching me something today.
No, Tommy, I don't journal. Not since junior high when when my sister stole my diary and took it to school. She gave it to some boys (yikes)! I never cared much for Hulk Hogan and even less when he started hanging around with trump. You mentioned you like Rick Flair and I recalled something that happened when my kids were grammar school age. Rick Flair was our backyard neighbor. His daughter was just a tiny thing. They had a pool. We didn't. He would stand behind her at the top of their pool ladder so she could watch my kids and the neighbor kids hoop and holler as they ran through our sprinkler! She loved it. Once they invited all the kids over to swim. I don't think they knew who he was, but they had a great time. That was kind of him. Keep writing my friend.
I do journal pretty often, and I am still always amazed at what pours onto the page after a few minutes of warm up writing. I'll think a personal challenge or relationship issue is impossible to solve, but the words usually lead me to a solution or new perspective after a few graphs. I also try and jot down moments I know I'll want to remember later, such as a great dinner conversation with my sons or a favorite memory with my dad. We think we'll always remember but time has a way of dusting those moments away if we're not careful to preserve them, and some are just too precious to lose.
I love your writing! I don’t remember how I first discovered you but I know I read your book and knew I wanted more. Your life and interests are very different from mine, but yet I relate so much to your thoughts and feelings and I’m always inspired by your words. Please keep up the good work! We need more humans like you in the world.
As part of my Bullet Journal process I long form journal in whatever notebook is to hand. Working on a list of promotes up to about 100. Dates back to about 2015.
Good work, Isaac! You'll never regret it.
Praise to Alix for the getting the ball rolling!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7JT3iMzS4k
I mean, praise to Alix just in general, right?
As always
The only journal I ever kept was the 3 weeks we spent in China. I guess I have trust issues about putting anything private and personal on paper. There were too many times when a scandal would break and I would say, “why would anyone write that down??” 😂
Well, it's useful to remember that you get to choose what you put in there ... and you also get to choose the WAY you put it in there. I've heard of people writing personal stuff, but in coded language so only they knew what they were talking about.
Plus, I don't have any scandals worth knowing :)
I had a bad experience in middle school when I wrote something private in my diary and my parents read it. I got in major trouble. Have never written in a diary again.
Lucinda, it's time to start again! I suspect you'll be better at hiding it this time :)
Many years ago, I found Auden's commonplace book in my university library and began keeping one of my own. It's full of memories--quotations I love, ticket stubs, travel notes, and whatever is of interest. It's not journaling, per se, but it satisfies me. I write with a Lamy fountain pen, always in black ink.
I love commonplace books--if I were to start another journal-ish project, that's what I'd do. Good for you on the fountain pen! I had too many early bad experiences. I think I've still got ink on my hands from 1979.
Thank you for the shoutout!
Absolutely, Hrishikesh. Song Exploder has meant the world to me. Thanks for all you do.
I have about 100 journals too. My question is what do you plan to do with all of them when you are in your declining years? I'm 73 so I have to start thinking about these things! 🙂
Now's a great time to go back and re-read them! It's amazing what I had forgotten from just 10 or 15 years back. When the time comes, if you want someone else to read them, put it in your will ... and if you don't, find a trusted friend to dispose of them.
I have a great friend who journals and, because she’s so dedicated to it, I’ve tried a number of times to do the same. I have one notebook with about 5-7 entries. I’m pretty sure that’s the farthest I’ve ever gotten. I’m a pen fanatic, as well, and fall all over myself for the LePens. I bought four recently at Second and Charles, but I wanted every color. I select the color according to the mood. Since you’ve informed my musical choices, I thought I’d share what happened with my great nephew last week. He was spending the night with us and wanted something to listen to as he fell to sleep. We pulled out old CDs and even cassette tapes but couldn’t hit the right thing . . . until I came across Alice’s Restaurant. He loved it. You’ve got to get them early!
Make sure and play Alice's Restaurant again at Thanksgiving! And it's never too late to start journaling. Get one of those new pens and go to town.
I was intrigued with how encompassing your journals are, including drawings and stickers. I have a huge drawer full of these types of memories. Perhaps I could journal in reverse!
At this point, I probably have 200+ volumes of notebooks, diaries, etc. I made a project out of reading and re-reading them in 2015, 2016, and 2017. One of the biggest realizations was that journaling is a note taking process for an autobiography. I know some people feel like you have to be someone interesting to write an autobiography but I believe everyone is interesting, including myself! I often wrote at diners and coffeeshops but found that a few years ago when I started having problems with sleep apnea, I couldn't focus enough to write anymore. I was disappointed for a while and didn't know what to do but was so happy last year to discover I could keep a video diary on my laptop. I have a Mac and I use PhotoBooth to record the videos. I do multiple videos every day, then every ten or twelve days I go through and watch and make notes. It helps me be a better person and to reflect on my life.
Harry, a couple of things:
1) EVERYBODY is interesting.
2) You're absolutely right that journaling is the rough draft of an autobiography--even if you don't intend it that way at first. When I did my memoir, going back through those old notebooks was incredibly useful.
3) I didn't know you could do videos on Photo Booth! Thanks for teaching me something today.
No, Tommy, I don't journal. Not since junior high when when my sister stole my diary and took it to school. She gave it to some boys (yikes)! I never cared much for Hulk Hogan and even less when he started hanging around with trump. You mentioned you like Rick Flair and I recalled something that happened when my kids were grammar school age. Rick Flair was our backyard neighbor. His daughter was just a tiny thing. They had a pool. We didn't. He would stand behind her at the top of their pool ladder so she could watch my kids and the neighbor kids hoop and holler as they ran through our sprinkler! She loved it. Once they invited all the kids over to swim. I don't think they knew who he was, but they had a great time. That was kind of him. Keep writing my friend.
I do journal pretty often, and I am still always amazed at what pours onto the page after a few minutes of warm up writing. I'll think a personal challenge or relationship issue is impossible to solve, but the words usually lead me to a solution or new perspective after a few graphs. I also try and jot down moments I know I'll want to remember later, such as a great dinner conversation with my sons or a favorite memory with my dad. We think we'll always remember but time has a way of dusting those moments away if we're not careful to preserve them, and some are just too precious to lose.
I love your writing! I don’t remember how I first discovered you but I know I read your book and knew I wanted more. Your life and interests are very different from mine, but yet I relate so much to your thoughts and feelings and I’m always inspired by your words. Please keep up the good work! We need more humans like you in the world.