So here we are on day two of our 12 Days to try 12 New Things! I hope you all took the time to try meditating yesterday! Hopefully you were able to bring a little peace and strength into your life : )! I know there's a lot of exclamation points!!!! But, I'm so excited about this series! lol
So as you can probably guess from the title, this post is about journal keeping. And I know what you're thinking... "I've tried journal keeping before but couldn't stick to it..." "I don't have enough time in the day to sit down and write." Believe me I've said those things before. I even have an old journal where every year I would make it my New Years resolution to write in my journal everyday. And I didn't have one that lasted more than three days. And then I would post like a month later and write, "I'm so mad I haven't been writing in my journal..." and then nothing but blank pages.
So what has helped me actually start a journal and keep it this time around? Well, I always had a preconceived notion about what journal writing should be like. I thought you needed a dedicated amount of time to sit down and write and post everything that happened that day and how it made you feel, etc. So, I tried doing that before bed but would always be so tired that I would end up falling asleep. And instead of writing being a pleasure, it felt like a chore! Just something I 'had' to do during the day. One more thing to add to the list.
But, I've redefined it for myself. And just as each person is different, the way we write is different. And a journal is not just a book to keep a record of our journey, it can also help us. A journal can also be used for self-evaluation and self-improvement. We can come to know ourselves better through writing.
When you go throughout your day your head is constantly filled with a whole smorgasbord of thoughts, feelings, etc. And because we have sooo much going on in our heads we aren't really able to devote enough of our mind to each individual thought. So no matter how hard we try some of those thoughts are lost. And those thoughts can be important.
I never thought I would be able to keep writing, but with a few tips and techniques that I've discovered it'll be easier for you to start and continue. Now I have a few journals. I have a day journal. I have a spiritual journal. I have a genealogy journal. And I've started this blog. I enjoy being able to separate them out so when I need some spiritual uplifting I can take out my spiritual journal and read through some of the pages and be able to find something that will really help me. Same for the day journals. I can bring that journal out and read about a certain day and laugh and remember.
So here is what I suggest to help you through this process. :)
1. Go out and find a really nice looking journal. It doesn't have to be expensive but find something that looks appealing to you. Something that looks like you. Whether it's bright pink with flower stickers, a nice solid deep black with silver lettering, an old-fashioned leather one, or basic white that you've decorated with sharpies. Either way when you see that journal you'll be able to pick it up and get excited about writing. There's nothing wrong with enticing ourselves to want to write a little more. And furthermore, get a nice pen if you want as well.
2. Start small. Don't worry about writing down everything that happens. It's time consuming and on some days you may not have the time dedicated to writing. Life gets crazy. So, start out small. Write down just one thought you had that day. Write about just one feeling you had about one incident. I have quite a few days where the only thing I write is: "Had a great day, everything just came together", "Today was really tough, but I just need to remember the importance of prayer", "I hate clocks". They are tiny thoughts, and as random as they may be, I became accustomed to writing, and was able to continue.
3. Decorate, decorate, decorate. It really helps to decorate your journal. Journals don't have to just be pen on paper. Decorate your journal. Buy some stickers, use some color, throw in a flower that you can press between the pages of a day you really want to remember. Be creative. This not only makes your fabulous journal look great to you, it will get you more excited to write and open it up. Life is not a journey that is just black and white, it comes with color and a whole lot of emotion so show that in your journal.
4. Any time, any place. Keep your journal in a place that's handy. Whether its carrying it in your purse (if it's big enough), placing it on the nightstand or in a special drawer, you're more likely to write in it if you can see it. And you don't have to reserve a certain time of the day to write. Anytime is a good time. And one of the ways I think you can really learn to start journaling is to write after you MEDITATE! Hey, there you go. You can combine the two. You're already in a place that's peaceful and would have just got done bringing more peace into your life through meditating, so write about how it made you feel.
5. Be yourself. Remember, this is yours and yours alone. Show your true self in your journal. Don't be afraid to let it out. This journal is a representation of you, not of the image you may portray. I mean it's not like we can breakdown in the cereal isle and throw a fit if we feel like it. But, you can in your journal and no one will escort you out of your bedroom for inappropriate behavior.
6. Start now. Don't put this off. Go out and get that journal and follow these tips. Do it for the next 11 days and see the difference.
I will see you here tomorrow for the third thing to try in 12 days to try 12 new things! I'm having sooo much fun with this! Hope you are too!
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