Sunday, May 7, 2023
HomeThe Arts10 Journal Keeping Ideas that Will Enhance Your Life

10 Journal Keeping Ideas that Will Enhance Your Life


What should I write about? Will it sound dumb? Will I run out of ideas before I even get started?

Keeping a journal can be a rewarding experience, but lots of people don’t know where to begin. Perhaps the best way is to decide what kind of journaling you want to do, though this isn’t always easy. There are all kinds of different strategies, ideas, and purposes behind journaling.

My personal favorites are reflection and goal journals, but everyone has a different favorite.

And that’s okay!

1. Visit Dream Land

There was a green robot. It had three fingers and twenty toes, and it was eating a peanut butter sandwich, and…

Dream journals are a lot of fun. Most people write in their dream journals immediately upon waking, which allows them to “get down” every aspect of the dream they had while sleeping. Furthermore, dreams often tell us things about ourselves we didn’t know, and many people have found “dream journaling” to be a rather insightful experience.

2. Record-Keeping

A “record-keeping” journal is nothing but the facts. Whether you’re on a diet or keeping track of the various birds you see, a record-keeping journal let’s you record and store information. These kinds of journals are also great to look back on in attempt to find patterns in the information.

3. Be Grateful

Gratitude journals are extremely rewarding. Write a list of 5-10 things you’re grateful for every single day. If you can’t think of 5-10, write down 1 or 2 things you’re grateful for. Your list is sure to grow as you begin noticing new great things about your life. If you already have more than 10, consider yourself an extremely lucky and grateful person!

4. Online journal/Blog

Online journaling, or blogging, has gained popularity in recent years. Whether you’re using Livejournal, or hosting your own blog through WordPress, online journaling allows you to connect with an audience. This separates it from traditional journaling, which is typically an isolated experience. And if you’re starting a blog on WordPress then we recommend you get a managed wordpress hosting service to optimize your website.

5. Collage/Art

If words aren’t your thing, consider a collage or art journal. Cut pictures out of magazines or draw your own–it doesn’t matter! Expressing yourself through art can be just as rewarding as writing down your emotions.

6. Ideas, Ideas, Ideas,

Are you the brilliant thinker? The entrepreneur in the crowd? Use a journal to write down those wacky ideas your friends are always making fun of you for. Don’t hold back. This is the place to express yourself. If an idea sounds crazy, write it down anyway. It may develop into something more over time!

7. Academic

Scholars regularly publish in academic journals, but what about keeping your own personal academic journal? Whether you’re reading Proust for the 3rd time or observing butterflies in your backyard, write down your insights and hypotheses. You never know what brilliant phenomenon you might discover.

8. Journaling as A Gift

A gift journal is unlike every other journal because *gasp* it’s not meant for you. A good example is a parent who keeps a journal for his/her small child before giving it to them when they turn 18. But it doesn’t have to be a child, of course. Record memories, insights, and loving thoughts for any special person in your life.

9. Personal Reflection/Therapy

Therapy and personal reflection journals can be difficult. You might not want to delve into certain aspects of your past or remember the bad things that happened to you.

But it can be extremely helpful in allowing you to move on from those things. Many psychologists even recommend journaling to their patients as a way to work through their feelings.

10. Goal-Oriented

A goal-oriented journal is probably my very very favorite. The premise is simple: Just record your goals–both long-term and short-term–and track your progress. You’ll be amazed (and proud!) when a month, a year, or a decade goes by and you can look back and see all that you’ve accomplished.

Many people like to incorporate several journal ideas into one–and that’s fine! Just pick your favorite ideas and begin journaling.

Do you keep a journal? Has it has enhanced your life in any way?

RELATED ARTICLES

11 COMMENTS

  1. :smile:

    I enjoy your blog and what you say about journaling — as I journaling advocate for more than 40 years, I agree with everything you say!

    You might be interested in reading my book, REGINA’S CLOSET: FINDING MY GRANDMOTHER’S SECRET JOURNAL which depicts the long-term advantages of keeping a journal.

    Also, visit my new blog http://www.dianaraab.wordpress.com.

    Happy writing!
    Diana Raab

  2. What about digital voice recorders for keeping a diary? It’s the new version of cassette tapes or reel to reel. I think Nixon used reel to reel. Or here’s another idea — what about a mpeg diary? A mpeg blog of yourself, now there’s a way to make a bold statement !!! :neutral:

  3. I HAVE JUST STARTED A JOURNAL. IT IS LEATHER WITH THE WORDS “LETTERS TO PARKER”
    pARKER IS MY SON AND HE IS 2. I AM GOING TO FILL THE JOURNAL WITH MY OWN MEMORIES AND EXPERIENCES, INFORMATION AND FACTS ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN MY LIFE, DAYS WITH MY SON AND HOW HE IS PROGRESSING. i AM GOING TO WRITE ABOUT MY HOPES AND DREAMS, STORIES THAT PEOPLE TELL ME AND CURRENT EVENTS ECT.
    PEOPLE IN MY LIFE ARE PASSING AWAY AND I FEEL LIKE I DIDNT KNOW THEM LIKE I THOUGHT I DID. HOW AMAZING WOULD IT BE IF MY GRANDMA WROTE LETTERS TO ME THROUGH HER LIFE AND I HAD THOSE FOREVER! MY HUSBANDS MOTHER DIED 4 YEARS AGO AND HE DOESNT HAVE ANYTHING BUT PHOTOS TO REMEMBER HER BY (AND MEMORIES OF COURSE)
    I AM VERY HAPPY WITH MY DECISION TO DO THIS.

    • I think this is an amazing idea. I am pregnant with our first child, and we ( well more me than my husband) have started a similar type of thing for our baby. I love the idea that he will be able to look back and see what life was like during the “Great Wait”…

    • Oh my gosh! I LOVE this! I just had my baby and am still struggling with post partum and life in general so I am looking for things to boost my spirits… which is where I am with journaling. SO I found your “Letters to Parker” idea. I LOVE it! You are amazing!

  4. I actually stumbled on this while I was making my research on idea for journaling. I found it quite insightful and interesting. Love the academic journal idea and a journal for my children. Thank you.

  5. With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of
    plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but it looks
    like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my
    authorization. Do you know any techniques to help protect against content from being stolen? I’d certainly appreciate it.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular

Recent Comments

nysrak on Extreme Sports
nysrak on Extreme Sports
Michael Strange on Pipe Collection
walter b. high on Pipe Collection
Subhie on Cloud Watching
Jim on YoYo
JOE SUPPLE BRUNS on Cloud Watching
Gary Lewis on Coin Collecting
Positivepenny on Running
Lisa on Pipe Collection
GARY on Cloud Watching
JC (Not Jesus Christ) on Cloud Watching
Lanre on Arts and Crafts
Lorraine Percell on Pipe Collection
Jeff Tappan on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Sunny on Food and Drink
Sanjaya Washington on Top 10 Causes of Accidental Death
Sanjaya Washington on Top 10 Causes of Accidental Death
Seraphina Ravech on Cloud Watching
Shiny on Music
Shiny on Dancing
Shiny on Collecting
Stephen. Schulke on Buying Pipe Tobacco
crafty on Astronomy
crafty on Playing Guitar
Don Wright on Bird Watching
Fredrick Merithew on Making Money Off Photography
Cindy Thornburg on Scrapbooking
Xavier on Cloud Watching
David MacIlwraith on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
susand on Collecting
Norm on Music
Chris on Collecting
Mario Casingena on Collecting
Mario Casingena on Collecting
Anand on Collecting
Natasha on Pipe Collection
Noble on Food and Drink
Aidan on Extreme Sports
WaterBow73 on Pets
Shailesh Manav on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Allysa on Writing Resources
Wendy on Collecting
Gary Morris on Collecting
Dorcas on Bird Watching
mansi on Dancing
mark on Pinch Strength
Horoboso on Crush Grip
terrin on Playing Poker
Gary Morris on Collecting
christina m calzacorta on Collecting
Victor Hughes on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
bob murrin on Collecting
Crystal on Collecting
alisha on Candle Making
Ray on Collecting
Chris on Collecting
gianella on Collecting
Hector has spoken- Don't Panic, I am a hispanic. on You’re Boring If You Only Do 7 Of These Popular Hobbies
K. Johns on Buying Pipe Tobacco
yoyofor school on YoYo
Holly Shockey on Candle Making
Calliope on Collecting
Mitchell on Lego Dramas
simmmy on RC Airplanes
A. Bagley on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Breaking In a New Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Breaking In a New Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Breaking In a New Pipe
Ashtyn on Collecting
SHELBY on Mixed-Up Words
Skipper Scotty on Pet Snakes
Skipper Scotty on Pet Snakes
Mo on Running
Maria Ramon on Arts and Crafts
SABINA MOTEN on Collecting
Mellisa on Running
ALAN BOHM on Playing Guitar
T-Maze on Cloud Watching
nnnn on Mixed-Up Words
Geoff on Candle Making
Sunil Thakur on Walking
Jaye Sperl on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Meleny on Mixed-Up Words
Carol on Cloud Watching
Carol on Cloud Watching
Danielle on Buying Estate Pipes
Danielle on Buying Estate Pipes
pam on Astronomy
SAID on Bird Watching
Holly on Food and Drink
Holly on Collecting
Mr.Brizzi on Pipe Collection
Mr.Brizzi on Pipe Collection
Mr.Brizzi on Buying Estate Pipes
Mr.Brizzi on Buying Estate Pipes
Horoboso on Crush Grip
raghu on Cloud Watching
none on Tetris
none on Photography
margaret watkins on Buying Estate Pipes
Subrata Mitra on Photography
Andrew on RC Boats
Andrew on RC Airplanes
Zoe Crawford on Proper Breathing in Yoga
ken seidelman on Pet Snakes
Jerrica Maceo on Dancing
bg reno on Pipe Collection
fariy on Photography
Alanna on Tetris
jenifer davis on Swimming
jenifer davis on 7 Great Summer Reads
Hamza on YoYo
dead guy on RC Hobbies
Momy7 on Arts and Crafts
gopal on Travel
abiy on Photography
Johnny Max on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Johnny Max on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Eddy Linski on Playing Poker
Runnerwannabe on Running
Mary on Photography
Debi on Cloud Watching
waste of time on Careers in Scuba Diving
james k. sayre on Bird Watching
james k. sayre on Bird Watching
mike on Collecting
katie4799 on Arts and Crafts
katie4799 on Collecting
valerie on Grip Strength
Austin on Mixed-Up Words
J. Dough on RC Hobbies
Jackie Liu on Cloud Watching
Jackie Liu on Photography
Jackie Liu on Astronomy
Himali Patel on Careers in Scuba Diving
new pipe smoker on Buying Pipe Tobacco
paul on Camping
John F Harrington sr on Collecting
Austinhughes on Must Have Pipe Accessories
fenella on Pets
Mederic on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Lucy on Travel
Darryl Derosin on Careers in Scuba Diving
Theodoric (Theo) Seraphin on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Jake on Grip Strength
jassi on Cloud Watching
Caleb on Pet Snakes
Sharon on Button Collecting
Azlan on Arts and Crafts
Erik on Pet Snakes
mark on Pinch Strength
giannis grammatikos on RC Hobbies
Susmi Elizabeth Jacob on Cloud Watching
Susmi Elizabeth Jacob on Photography
Schmitz Bitz on Breaking In a New Pipe
Richard on Pipe Collection
Richard on Pipe Collection
Richard on Pipe Collection
Mr.Brizzi on Breaking In a New Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying Estate Pipes
Mr.Brizzi on Pipe Collection
Richard on Pipe Collection
Marty Cromer on RC Cars and RC Trucks
Layne on Mixed-Up Words
Mr.Brizzi on Buying Estate Pipes
Mr.Brizzi on Buying Estate Pipes
Nicholascott on Buying Estate Pipes
HipHip on Mixed-Up Words
Dr. Ernesto F. Sosa on Tobacco Pipe Parts
mihkail polhemus on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Connavar on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mr.Brizzi on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Richard on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Scott Ampleford on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
breandan on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
JEAN on BodyBuilding
summer on Cloud Watching
Barry Perhamsky on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Little miss sunshine on Mixed-Up Words
mjb on Grip Strength
N Amit on Crush Grip
raven on Mixed-Up Words
raven on Mixed-Up Words
X-BADDBiiTCH-X on Mixed-Up Words
Doc on Grip Strength
Reddbeard on Mixed-Up Words
Fraser Soderstrom on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Nirav Chotalia on BodyBuilding
AnnoyingChris on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Kamama K Yeager on Must Have Pipe Accessories
someone on Card Stacking
Gilligan-Oswaldo on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Kate on Cloud Watching
debora on Cloud Watching
Barry Perhamsky on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Joey on YoYo
A.J. Peterson on Must Have Pipe Accessories
Michaell Franklin on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
Vincent on BodyBuilding
inonge on Cloud Watching
K N Hatton on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
K N Hatton on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Wilmington NC on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Nami on Cloud Watching
Steve Firth on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Alexander on Crush Grip
Mick Khule on Buying Pipe Tobacco
somedude on Buying Pipe Tobacco
happie4u on Mixed-Up Words
happie4u on Mixed-Up Words
Zack on Crush Grip
Ped van de gevel on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
bob on Grip Strength
Samantha on Cloud Watching
Iron Tim on Buying Pipe Tobacco
...steve... on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Abbie on Intro to Drawing
luke on Crush Grip
Pádraig Scully on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
Jayanta Banerjee on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
David Biederbeck on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
ELDOSAURUS on Crush Grip
The Aficionado on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
Simon Waters on Buying Pipe Tobacco
ashy on Mixed-Up Words
Sally on Cloud Watching
7obos on YoYo
D.I.A.- Dead in Action on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
clari on Cloud Watching
Honkytonkman on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Honkytonkman on Buying Pipe Tobacco
zhao alina on Buying Pipe Tobacco
theyoman on YoYo
John Long on Buying Pipe Tobacco
HomeGrower on Buying Pipe Tobacco
martyn on Cloud Watching
R.Smitheringale on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Andrew on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Bob Smith on Buying Pipe Tobacco
blah blah on Astronomy
mortomitor quincethripp on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Bill Halvorsen on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Bob on Grip Strength
big-thunk on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Mernon Lollich on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Natalie on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Natalie on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Muhammad Ali Qammar on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
lucy on Cloud Watching
Mitchell Paul on Buying Pipe Tobacco
frank on Grip Strength
loz on YoYo
chase on YoYo
justinb on Tobacco Pipe Parts
garry r white on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Johnny Long on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Dianna L. Greathouse on BodyBuilding
Scott in Ohio City on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Scott in Ohio City on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Twist and Turn, Dance and Burn on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Brenton on Mixed-Up Words
strenght101 on Crush Grip
Ryan on Grip Strength
deeppipeinhaler on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Brandon on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Elyjah Tamman on Must Have Pipe Accessories
ken jensen on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
leesmith on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
PINEAPPLE_EXPRESS on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
wisdom on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Robert Fox on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Robert Fox on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Robert Fox on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Shawty-Lo on Card Stacking
J D on Grip Strength
josh on YoYo
keano on Card Stacking
William - Muar on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
Steveo on YoYo
smithy321 on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
laomg on YoYo
Reginold Fitsgerald Esquire on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Michael schulz on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Michael schulz on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Michael Schulz on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Michael Schulz on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Chris on Grip Strength
vijay annamraju on Tobacco Pipe Parts
Wannabe piper on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Robert C. Fox on Buying Pipe Tobacco
Martine on Buying Pipe Tobacco
blow on YoYo
Howard Gilliam on Art of Smoking a Tobacco Pipe
Alicia on Mixed-Up Words
Jon Von Pipesmoker on Pipe Smoking Tips and Tricks
Glenn D. on Buying a Tobacco Pipe
Michelle still searching on Parasites – What Everyone Ought to Know!
Bryan on YoYo
Jez on About
Roy Metzger on About
Roy Metzger on About
Jez on About
Jamsey on Mixed-Up Words