How to write in a journal

How to effectively write a journal entry for posterity.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a journal
• or a computer journal
• or just a notebook
• and a pen or pencil!

1. Decide what you want to use as a journal. You can use your computer, like Microsoft Word or there are journal programs out there. On a computer you can easily search entries and add digital photos or small videos. You can also password protect your journal so it can stay private. However, you may not be able to take your journal anywhere because you need a computer to write it with. One alternative is to carry a notebook and then add it to a computer journal later, but if you get busy, *like me* you may not ever get to it! You also may have problems with your computer and may not be able to retrieve your journal! Always have a current backup on a disk if you choose this option! With a paper and pen journal it's a little more personable because you have your own handwriting in it which can reflect your feelings at the time. You can also add a pocket with it to hold photos, ticket stubs, and other such items. Drawbacks with a written journal, however, can be hard to read if you have messy handwriting, and hard to search for a particular date or moment in your life. You also have to protect your journal from other people, such as kids, or from the enviroment, such as rain, fire, etc. Also paper breaks down after time, so your journal will not last forever! You should try both for a time to see which one better suits you. A good journal is only good if you write in it! I personally like spiral bound journals with a hard cover. Spiral bound so you can have it lay flat while writing, and a hard cover for the protection it needs for the first and last couple of pages. I don't have locks or other such devices on my journal, because I want people to be able to read it after I die and I don't want them to have to break a lock to do so!

2. I like to start a new journal with some personal information on the first page, so if someone finds your journal, they can return it to you! Or if you are using a computer journal, you could write an opening statement. Journals are a good place to keep records of births, deaths, family history, marriages, divorces, blessings, baptisms, etc. That is part of what makes a great journal because you can find information in it without having to contact various courthouses or other public records to get the information.

3. Always start an entry with the date. I like to write the day, then the date. For example: Today is Wednesday, November 7, 2007. You may also want to write the time. You may also want to write a title or subject to the entry you will be writing. That may make finding entries easier later. Some people like to write their entry like writing a close friend. You will find a style in time.

4. Next write about your day. You may think your day is boring, or has no excitement. Just think about what you do now that people did not do 20 years ago, or 50 years ago. Time has changed a lot, and will continue doing so, so everyday ordinary things can become interesting when they are not ordinary anymore! Make sure to include full names when speaking of a person. You may think you will always remember their name, but over time, you may forget. And the people who read your journal may have no idea who you are talking about!

5. Try to stay positive in your journal writings. We all have bad days, and it's good to vent and get it all out, but don't forget to write about all the good things in your life as well!

6. Make sure to include information that interests you. If you're interested in movies, write what movies you have seen, and with whom. When you saw the movie and how much it cost you to go. Include a ticket stub if you'd like.

7. Write about your experiences, good and bad. People can learn from the things we do today! Also write pieces of advice that have helped you.

8. You may even want to keep other information in your journal as well, such as your famous cookie recipe, or how to get stains out of your laundry, or other little tidbits. You may not know how much you can pass on to your posterity!

9. Write about your spiritual/religious beliefs and experiences. It's important to write these things for your own testimonies and maybe to help someone who reads it. It may be the exact thing they were having trouble with as well!

10. Finally, when you're all done, sign your journal. It's an interesting way to show how your signature has changed. Also make a note of your mood when you wrote the entry.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to double space your entries. It will make it easier to read later!
• Always keep a current backup if you use computer entries!
• Try to use proper grammer, or explain a slang term if you must use it.
• Remember words change their meanings over time, so explain some if they have changed and write them in context so people can infer their meaning by what you wrote.
• If you write about bad experiences, try to include the good with it. Like what you learned from the experience. Unhappy feelings can trigger more unhappy feelings when you go back and read your entry again. Remember everyone makes mistakes in life and that's how we learn and grow. Bad experiences are a part of everyone's life, but we shouldn't let them rule our lives. So don't feel shy about writing about bad experiences, but see them as learning experiences as well!