So I’ve had an idea to start a journaling community for a while now. Last week, I wrote out my tips for starting a daily practice of journaling and why I decided to change the way I journal. One thing I want to be more open to is sharing. Not sharing usually takes the pressure off, as I’m pretty private (believe it or not), but it’s not worth missing out on the community that forms when you share what you’re making. Not only do I want to create a space where that’s possible, but that we encourage each other to keep creating. I plan to set everything up for a successful community that shares via blogs + social so we can start the new year off with a fresh approach to creating. I think it will take me about 1000 blog posts to share all my feelings about this—there are SO many reasons why a different approach to the typical journaling practice will help me (and all of us) in our creativity, wellness, and even businesses—but let’s start with why. Why should you journal? It’s about more than simply having “someone” to talk to when our friends aren’t around.
1. It’s a record. People have been keeping records since they could write. This is a record you can come back to (and this will be a huge component) anytime to see not only how you processed events + experiences, but the goals you’ve set for yourself, the plans you’ve made, and the struggles you’ve gone through. You can use that as a tool to enact change, teach, or take action.
2. Writing on paper is different than typing. It’s a fact. I won’t go so far as to say it’s more intentional or polished. But you’re able to process thoughts. I, and a lot of those I work with, write most of our content or assignments first—it lends itself to way better drafts when transferred over. So, if you plan to use your journaling experience even partly for brainstorms, you’ll end up with better ideas. Plus, it’s just a different, more relaxing experience.
3. It’s a wellness practice. Writing is therapeutic and relaxing. That’s not to say the content you write will be peaceful, but that the process of getting it all out there is freeing. The world, crowded as it is, can be pretty isolating and this expands it just a little even when it feels impossible.
4. Creativity breeds creativity. I’ve always felt this way. Maya Angelou’s words, “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” are also fact. If you want to harness creativity—for whatever purpose—you need a practice like this in your life.
5. It’s a ritual. I think the reason a lot of creatives either swear by or search for rituals isn’t because it’s this enchanting practice that injects magic into their work. Just being logical, it forces you to do the work. Your work doesn’t have to have ANYTHING to do with writing for the ritual of record to be transformative. It’s about committing to something that can further your ideas, no matter what those ideas are. For me, journaling covers just about everything in my life. It’s a wellness practice and for my career. It eases stress and sharpens skills. The ritual itself signifies a commitment. Commitment to a relaxing morning. Commitment to time for yourself. To checking in on a goal’s progress. To creating. To furthering a project. To learning something new. Whatever it is, the ritual gets you there.
If you’re interesting in journaling along with me next year, let me know. I’ll post weekly updates with journaling progress and interesting prompts. Maybe even start an email list so we can connect and talk more personally, not just about the content but what brings it on and what it means. I guarantee there will be a hashtag. I don’t care if the group is 5 or 50 people, I think we can all journal together for all the reasons above and more. Details to come!
I’m all about starting a journaling habit in the new year and love your idea about turning it into a community! But you’re right about not sharing taking the pressure off. I’ll probably be that person tentatively peeking in every now & then who’s too shy to share. Haha!
I totally agree with all of these reasons, especially with it being a wellness practice! Journaling has been so important to me as I navigated through tough times. I always recommend Julia Cameron’s morning pages. 🙂
I would love to journal along with you. My journal is constantly changing and evolving, and I think it would be good to see that someone else’s method. A journal doesn’t have to be perfect–mine is definitely really messy.
XO, blog.danyellbailey.com
I agree! great to hear you’re on board. I am going to touch base about this project asap so we can all connect in the new year!
I wonder if you have heard about art journaling? Just Google it and you’ll find a lot of information. I started art journaling last year and really loved it. I use mixed media in my journals and use the journals made for mixed media or those with watercolor paper. Many people combine written journaling and art journaling and that is what I would like to do. I am totally interested in joining your group. I want to do better this year and do something in my journal everyday – whether it’s creative or not. By the way, I am not an artist, nor do I have a creative bone in my body. Art journals are intended for being messy, making mistakes, and trying out new techniques. I certainly have done that, but I’ve also found some great teachers such as Dina Wakley, Dyan Reavely, and Teesha Moore (to name a few) and they say that copying your favorite artists is a great way to learn (as long as you don’t try to sell the art). Any who, check it out and see if art journaling catches your interest.
That’s great. It’s the same with writing, emulating your favorite writers is a great exercise for creativity. I used to combine collage with writing when I tried art journaling a few years ago. Lately I’ve just been writing but I might explore art journaling more during the year.
I’d love it if you joined! I’ll be posting my first entry later this week hopefully people can sign up for emails soon too. Thanks for the recommendations!