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Journal
Writing Reflection
Keeping a journal allows you to read about your thoughts, emotions and life happenings from various times in your life.
Article by Tom Gilbert - © January,
2013, updated February, 2022
One of the comments I often hear from others who want to write about
their life is that it is hard to keep it up. And they are correct! Life
writing is not easy. But there are simple things we can do on a regular
basis.
All productive writers tell us that regular writing sessions are
essential. I best practice this by writing in my journal. I've been
doing this for many years. I've tried different approaches, from
handwriting in notebooks and bound books with lovely blank pages to typing away on the keypad and storing it in computer documents. I
recommend you do whatever works best for you. I find I am more
productive if I can type it on a computer. But the handwriting work can
result in a slower pace and more reflection and you can also spend time
doodling and drawing. Adding artwork to your journals can be a
wonderful. It can inspire you to deeper and richer writing.
I've journaled for many years. I do think handwritten journals are good
and fun. Especially if you like to carry it around with you, write when
inspired, and even add doodles.
But I also like the ability to preserve my writing on a computer. There
are software programs you can try. I've used some over the years. Or
you can even just open up a document and save your writing. Currently I
have been using Google Docs. That allows me to access my writing from
whatever computer I am on as long as I can connect to the internet.
Saving your writing in a digital form, be it a document or a website,
allows you to archive your writing. I find it helpful to go back once
in a while to see what was going on in my life that I was writing
about. It's kind of like a blog to myself, but I have also used
material from my journals for writing that I share with others, such as
right here on this site.
All writing should be done with an audience in mind.
My public writing appears in my blogging, websites and teaching. My
journal writing is personal, but there is still an audience - it is me!
That being the case, the "me audience" needs to take time to go back
and read past entries and reflect. This can yield lots of benefits. If
you are working on a memoir, keeping a journal allows you to read about
your thoughts, emotions and life happenings from various times in your
life. Granted, it is mostly the past few years for me, but inevitably
those journal entries contain some reminiscences of earlier life. That
material can be gold for a life story.
It was revealing this afternoon to do a lengthy journal entry and then
go back and read what I wrote near the end of each of the last four
Januarys. I read about my search for a new career following
leaving radio broadcasting, my path to becoming a certified teacher,
the death of my father and the ongoing evolution of this personal
history work. The reflection that comes from that happens not only
today, but in the days ahead. This is good stuff.
Take the time to write. Do it regularly. Set aside a time each day if
possible. Even if you just sit down to journal and can't think of
anything to write about then try expressing that. "Here I am writing
another journal entry. My mind is a blank. I really don't know what to
say."
This might lead to, "But writing that just now helps me
realize that I am thinking about writing and taking the action. And
that's causing my fingers to move across the page (or continue to
type). Okay, that's better than nothing. Why do I struggle with
writing? I know it serves a purpose. And I've been stuck before. The
key is to just do it. Yes, that's the ticket! Action yields results.
And as I write I reflect. There really is much about my life journey
worth remembering and writing about. Hey, this isn't so bad after all."
Do you get the idea?
So take some time to write. Take some time later to go back and read what you wrote and then reflect on it. Save it and savor it. Persevere.
“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” - Robert J. Collier (1876-1918).
More articles and information about journal writing:
The Journey of Journaling
The importance of
keeping a journal for personal and spiritual growth.
Journaling
is truly a great tool. In our journey through life we need to spend
time reflecting on our days and considering the implications of the
events in our lives.
Your
Journal and Your Journey
Even if you have never kept a journal or diary
I’m willing to bet you have had days when you thought a great
deal about events in your life. It’s
a mistaken idea to think you have to be a
gifted writer to keep a journal. Anyone can write short
entries. It is so important to do this. Over time, our recall may fail
us. Memories fade.
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