How to Write a Journal Entry

Journals are a great way to chronicle your life. And, the art of writing a good journal entry is timeless. Consider it a stress-reliever, or practice for writing your memoir. Either way, the practice is invaluable and the story is yours to tell.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Write the date. If you are traveling, also write your present location. Put these things at the top of the journal entry.
2. Write about what happened during the day. Your life may be more interesting than you realize and even minute details may fascinate you in the future.
3. Now write about what you're feeling. Who do you love? Who are you mad at? These are the things you'll want to read about ten years down the road. Tell your secrets, after all, the journal is for your eyes only. This is the juicy stuff that will make the journal worth reading later on.
4. Write about what is going on around you. Whether it's a presidential race, a baseball playoff, a war, these are big things historically speaking and you'll want to know what you were thinking at these important times.
5. Don't censor yourself. If you're scared, write why. If you are angry, explain what happened. Don't worry about spelling or grammar, just get it out. This is the most important document of your life you'll ever have. Write it from your point of view.

Tips & Warnings

• As for journals, try to write every day. It helps when you look back on ongoing things in your life if you can report on them daily.
• If you have written something that may hurt someone's feelings, keep the journal secret. It may not be how you really feel, you may not know all the circumstances and it might just be how you felt at the time, but it still has the power to hurt whoever it is written about.