Do you keep a journal? Does it help you sort your thoughts out?

**dozymom** · 10-03-2002, 09:17 PM

I find mine does. I kind of like "unpacking" my brain at the end of the day, noting the things that happened, how I felt, my impressions.

Since having memory troubles related to the fatigue or menopause or thyroid (take a pick LOL) I find it really really helpful in recalling what went on last week or last month.

It's like a verbal photo album.

It's very soothing and at times really helps me. I can go back a few months, look again at a feeling about a situation and see where my intuition was right on, and where it was off.

It's been the most helpful for me to pour my heart out, and write down my impressions about people, situations I'm in. Often after a little I go back and can "sort" myself out just by re reading the entries.

Obviously mine isnt' the kind I want to share with others but it's sure helped me.

What do you like about journals?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-03-2002, 09:36 PM

You know, this is something I always get started on and then it seems to slowly die out and I don't journal for a long time. I wish though I could stick with it and write my thoughts and feelings.

So many times during the day, thoughts run wild and if I could just remember to journal everything it would probably help me sort things out.

Good reminder Dozy.....going to go and pick up my journal tonight.

**heaven** · 10-03-2002, 09:42 PM

yes i do i have off and on since high school. I find if i really have to get something out that is the one place i can do it.

**MJsLady** · 10-03-2002, 09:48 PM

You know I buy all kinds of little notebooks. Really pretty ones, usually on clearance.
I always want to journal. I never do. It finally dawned on me the other night as I was looking at my newest batch of pretties why.
I realized I am afraid of messing them up...now how lame is that??????
So I have made a deal with myself to stop worrying about making a mistake on a silly piece of paper that i can discard if iwant to and start again. Part of the process has been posting here even my oddball thoughts....like these!

Now I have...5 journals to fill with my wandering thoughts! I best get busy.

**Leiloni77** · 10-03-2002, 10:01 PM

Journals are also a learning tool. I have been journaling for as long as I can remember. Probably since Junior High. I can look back on my first crushes, the stupid things I got mad at, and I can see how I grew up. Things change so much, opinions, wants, needs, feelings. You name it. It's a treasure, and something thats all yours. I put all kinds of things in it. Pictures, movie tickets, stickers, anything to remind me of what that day felt like.
:pencil:

**dozymom** · 10-03-2002, 10:14 PM

Thank you, I'm enjoying the different ways people think about it.

I was like you MJsLady till I started keeping my journal on the computer. It's a word file. When it gets too big, I start another.

My only problem has been dh lost the first few I put on the computer. Now he backs up that section of WORD regularly.

I had tried in my teens but my sister would break into my room, then read bits back at me out loud. After mum died, and I went to live with my aunt and uncle and 4 cousins I tried again, and gave up when my aunt broke into it and read it.

I never felt like it for years but in the last few years, esp the last 2 I've been keeping one. Dh is totally trustworthy and I've raised my kids that way too. Funny, dd has kept one for years. She knows I won't touch it or even look at it if I found it open, it's a sacred trust thing.

I love it that she can be so secure to write one. DS doesn't write one that I know of anyway but the same rule goes for his privacy.

HOW I do it:---

Sort of relaxed. If I don't get to it over a month, I just write my recollections in there.

Sometimes I look at what I"ve written to freinds on email and copy and paste my "what's happening at our house" stuff in there.

When I was at my sister's this spring, I wrote dh every night with what happened. I copied and pasted that into my journal.

It just helps me recollect the funny bits, the jokes, the sad thoughts, the worries.

And I've started to really look forward to writing in there. It's "me" time and it's really relaxing.

**lucy979** · 10-04-2002, 02:37 AM

I do keep a journal but don't feel comfortable enough to write down everything. I don't want my DH to read it (even though there is nothing to hide) and I don't want DD to read it when she gets older and think that I was a total wierdo! I hope that all makes sense!

**KathiS** · 10-04-2002, 03:23 AM

Laci, I feel like you! My best friend found all of her mom's journals after her mom died. I don't think I would want someone to read my thoughts after my death. It would be OK if I had written the journals especially for my children or grandchildren but, not if they were originally written for me. Maybe I am strange but, don't think I would want folks reading my inner most thoughts.

**Heather** · 05-18-2003, 09:42 PM

I keep journals too and love looking back at what has changed, what has stayed the same

, a special day etc......Laci and KathiS have a good point though about after you are gone and who reads them!

**Julie** · 05-20-2003, 04:04 PM

I keep a journal too. I started writing it in 1994 after I'd been fired from a job and then it just kept going. I am in my 4th spiral-bound small-ish notebook from CVS. I don't write as much as I might like to, but try to get some writing time in on a semi-regular basis. Re-reading the journals helps me to gain perspective and see how I might do or not do things today.

Julie

**QuilterMom** · 11-11-2004, 01:48 PM

I have a couple of journals, but they don't get much attention from me! I spend time throughout the day thinking about what I could write down, but most of the time never take the time to do so.

**Ellise** · 11-11-2004, 02:27 PM

I'm like CJ! I began then I just fade out. This is something else I need to work on.

**kaykwilts** · 11-11-2004, 02:52 PM

I've kept journals since before I was married dating back to 1978. I didn't write anything "juicy" in them.

**niceday** · 11-11-2004, 03:29 PM

You all have really inspired me to start a journal, I've thought about several times but thats about it. I gonna get busy and start one something I'll do for myself.

Thanks

**Nada.Leona** · 11-11-2004, 04:53 PM

I have several journals, one for work, one for romance, one for dreams, one for daily thoughts, etc.

My latest thing was purchasing a plain paper sketch book. I got an inky black pen and went wild. I just write and write and write... I realize now that I felt very restrictive by the lines, but now, I don't have that restriction -- I can just write what I want.

Bright Blessings!
Rawiya