Comments on: How to Keep a Journal

on 3/14/2008 Keeping the journal from prying eyes is my concern. I'm having trouble opening up because of just that.

on 10/26/2006 Sports - I have a Baseball Journal. And about now is the World Series! I write the lineups and other things I find funny or unusual.

on 2/7/2006 Write as if you were talking to a best friend. You can add humor to your entries; it'll just make reading them years from now all the more fun.

on 11/22/2005 You want to write about things that you like, or want to talk about. Just writing about what happened to you during the day gets boring after a while. Instead of just saying, "I got up this morning at 6:30, took a shower and had toast for breakfast," write about what you were feeling and thinking. Don't be afraid to ramble.

on 11/22/2005 I kept track of meals that we had during our first trip to Europe last year in my travel journal. When I go back to read it now, I can remember the experience so much more because I described the foods we ate - and it helps my kids recall the trip too.

on 11/22/2005 Be sure to write about everything that's going on in your life, both good and not so good. Especially if you're going through something very difficult, like a death or you are moving, writing all about it can make you feel much, much better. Also, you can look back and see how far you've come.

on 11/22/2005 I often use my journal to write about my beliefs and where I stand on some of the common topics for debate these days, like the war and the death penalty and such. There's always plenty to write about there!

on 11/22/2005 Glue notebook paper or recycled paper on to pages of an old book, such as a novel or textbook. Some of the words on the book's pages can give you inspiration.

on 11/22/2005 If you're using your journal to reflect about the day, include a lot of conversations that you had that day. I have a journal, and I often include conversations that I had with everybody that day. When I go back and read, it is much more entertaining.

on 11/22/2005 I write my journal to myself as I feel assured that only I will read it. I write to my future self to help remember who I was. My journal holds who I am. When I read it next I will be able to read my soul. That's what journaling is all about - a way to express yourself.

on 11/22/2005 Keep your journal hidden away from prying eyes. Take it with you if you have to, to keep it private. Your journaling will suffer if you're afraid someone will peek.

on 11/22/2005 When you buy any composition book or spiral, personalize it. Make it unique by cutting out things or pictures from magazines.

on 12/23/2005 Avoid diaries with locks they can easily be picked, especially ones with the word diary on them. Don't put it in obvious places - like under your bed. Invisible ink can be good as long as you know what it is. Books that look like a boring novel, but have writing paper in them are great, but hard to find.

on 11/22/2005 Why not write upside down or in a spiral shape? Draw arrows and have funky captions relating to pictures or receipts of places you've visited. Use your diary to sort out what's going through your head but keep it interesting with things only you'll understand. Don't write for an invader of your privacy to read, write for yourself as if you know it will be secret forever!

on 11/22/2005 If you don't have enough time to sit and write a full entry in your journal make a quick outline of your day on a separate piece of paper so that when you have time you'll remember everything that you wanted to include.