Quick Tips on Selecting a Journal

The type of journal you use if a reflection of your personality, and can affect your process. Here are some journaling options:

Beautiful Books:

Some people do well buying the most beautiful blank book they can find, which inspires them to fill it with beautiful things, and have a nice keepsake to boot. However, some people find that a beautiful book puts on too much pressure; they don’t write as freely or as deeply because perfectionism takes over and they become afraid to make ‘mistakes’, focusing more on grammar and penmanship than content, and end up unable to put anything on paper.

Plain Books:

A plain notebook or cheap-looking blank book can ‘give permission’ to fill its pages with bad drawings, scrawled rants, and other forms of expression that can be cathartic. Also, a more mundane-looking book can be left in plain view or taken with you to the office or a coffee shop, and it won’t scream “Hey, I’m a diary! Read me!”

The Computer: The computer is another great option for recording your thoughts. For one thing, many people find that they can type faster than they can write. Also, some may find it distracting to worry about penmanship, and typing at a keyboard ensures that their entries will be easily readable. There’s the added benefit of never needing to buy or store new journals.

Pens:

Some people really enjoy the act of writing with a pen, and like to see how their handwriting reflects their moods and internal world. If you’re one of these people, you may want to invest in a really nice pen that writes smoothly and beautifully. Think about if you prefer a fine or medium tip, a ball-point or other kind of pen. You can even experiment with different colors. Very creative types even like to include pictures in their journals.

There are many options for creating your journal. Think about what’s important to you, and what will make you most comfortable.

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