on 14-10-2019 16:12
Hi everyone,
Hope you're all enjoying the start of a new week! ☀️ ☔
I used to write a journal on a daily basis as a child and really enjoyed putting my thoughts on paper, using a physical journal book and lots of coloured pens. I even wrote one journal book completely in a made-up code language that I still think looked super cool! As a teenager I wrote in my journal sometimes, and as I got older it was less and less until as an adult I have dropped the habit altogether. I have recently started thinking that it would be nice to start again after hearing that it can be beneficial for mental health.
I'm curious if anyone here on the community writes in a journal/diary on a regular basis, or if you've done so in the past? What do you think are the benefits?
Nowadays, in addition to regular physical journal books, there are computers, laptops, smartphones and tablets - which format do you use and do you have any journal/diary apps or software to recommend if you're doing it digitally?
📚📚📚
on 14-10-2019 17:08
on 14-10-2019 17:08
on 14-10-2019 17:14
on 14-10-2019 17:14
I do write in a journal and it is beneficial for mental welfare. It's good to look back on good days when you are feeling vulnerable.
on 14-10-2019 18:35
on 14-10-2019 18:35
I keep a diary. Not quite the same (and I know there are apps I could use) but I do prefer checking things via this route. I think I would be lost without it.
Veritas Numquam Perit
on 14-10-2019 21:15
on 14-10-2019 21:15
on 15-10-2019 10:07
on 15-10-2019 10:07
@Anonymous I became concerned about that as well after one of my friends got into my books and made fun of my writing. After that I didn't write as often. A digital journal would be good for this reason as it could be password-protected.
@jonsie Is that a physical journal you write in, or a digital one?
@Cleoriff That reminds me, one of my friends writes everything that happened during the day into a physical journal. She can refer back to specific year, specific month, specific time of day to see exactly what happened! I think that's pretty cool. I think I'm going to start doing this as well. Definitely not as detailed as that, but just to kind of "log" how the day went, and definitely celebrate there all the good things that happened during the day, even if it was a small thing.
@TallTrees A photo journal I haven't thought about, what a great idea! I do like to take photos and I take some every day. Mostly about my cats, what I eat, if I see nice plants or flowers outside... I think some use Instagram for this purpose (you can set it private or public). Not sure how I would do that with thoughts, I guess a photo journal captures real-life objects from your day instead and works well for things like your gardening progress tracking!
on 15-10-2019 17:48
on 15-10-2019 17:48
on 15-10-2019 18:01
on 15-10-2019 18:01
on 15-10-2019 23:01
on 15-10-2019 23:01
@Marjo wrote:I have recently started thinking that it would be nice to start again after hearing that it can be beneficial for mental health.
Hey @Marjo
As you know we have (had) the same problems and struggles. My therapist told me last year I should write one as a part of therapy. And I did (beginning 1st nov '18). It was useful... But now that I feel better, I hardly write anything. Just if it's a day where I need to "talk to someone" - as my usual talking partners are dead now.
But even if I write again, I note every date and write a day count since when dad and mum are dead. It's weird to see how many times you woke up since these worst days.
on 16-10-2019 12:28
Hi,
I too write a journal by hand, I've tried digital diaries, but much prefer a book, as you can doodle in it, glue pictures, tickets and such.
My journal is just for travel experiences/planning (we're walking the Northern Camino Santiago in stages), and reading it is entertaining on less interesting days back home, as well learning from some of the mistakes made along "The Way" when planning the next trip.
(Main lesson learnt ? Don't stay in hostels if you can afford better - snoring, bag rustling, bathroom q's, early risers, mobile phone use....)