Today is Friday and that means it’s Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read the First Freaky Friday entry.
While reading blogs and following links today I came across a great idea shared by Ruth Folit on the Life Journal blog. The idea, preferably for typing while using Life Journal, was to write your potentially toxic or ranting entry and then match your text to the colour of your page. Once saved the entry would not be easily reread. All you have to do is change the text colour, or highlight it, and you could reread at some later point.

I liked the idea of being able to leave the entry unread if you preferred, but that it gave you time to reconsider if you later changed your mind. Reading that entry later would give you valuable insight into your emotion or other events from that moment. Better to be able to have a chance just in case there as something to glean from the emotional charged entry.

You could use this idea in your handwritten journal, too. Simply match your pen or writing instrument to your paper, although you may have to miss out on rereading the entry. Or you could write without any ink. Use the wrong end of your pen or pencil or just your finger. I recall a novel where one of the characters was forced to do this because her parents did not respect her privacy. You gain the action of writing, but not necessarily the burden of reading whatever it is that angered or upset you. This idea might not be for everyone, though it’s worth the effort if you are in a spot where you simply can’t use a pen and paper.

The idea is to gain a different perspective on your life. I hope the suggested journal writing challenge helps you to view your life in a new way. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from zirzuke from stock.xchng

Post from: Blisstree

Freaky Friday #148

I had both hubby and my little boy with me this time, so I didn’t actually write in my journal. I took mental notes instead. I love to note such details in my journal. Most often entries where I have simply observed my surroundings are the most interesting to reread. There’s something about waiting, though, that makes you more observant than usual. Next time you’re stuck somewhere waiting just take a look around and write what you observe.

Heather
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Post from: Blisstree

Waiting & Observation

In the article the journal entry highlighted shows that the writer didn’t mention the name of the town. It’s these kinds of things we can get complacent about. We know where we shop or pay bills or work, but an ancestor or stranger may not be so familiar with that part of the countryside and reading becomes an act of decoding.

Leaving out the names of people is another one I know I’m guilty of. I often mention a friend, vaguely, but must try to remember to add their name when I write something about my time with them in my journal. Of course, I’ll only write about them if we spoke on something signifigant to me.

In the long run, writing in your journal is for you alone. But I don’t like it when I’ve been so vague as to leave myself in the dark. Write down enough detail to ensure you will recall the event as you read it again in your journal pages.

Post from: Blisstree

Getting Down the Details

Like this gem:
The art of journaling, it would seem, is to become successful in managing to stay out of your own way.

And:
The fact is, no one need read your writing for it to have great value. All pretty girls don’t have to become beautify queens, or movie stars. And all people who make note of their personal human adventure do not have to become professional writers. But it is important for you to re-read your own stuff at least every couple of years.

The article is definitely worth a read. Please leave any comments you may have in the comments section below.

Post from: Blisstree

More on Rereading Your Journals

9. If you can, reread what you’ve written. Either read it directly after making the entry or set aside a time to read your past entries. There is much to gain from rereading your journal entries. For more on rereading your journals click here and here.

10. Make a commitment, to yourself, to write regularly. While daily entries are ideal, there’s no limit to how often you should write in your journal. I simply suggest you make it regular. You gain some benefit in writing a single entry, but the greater benefits remains in making a habit of writing in your journal.

Post from: Blisstree

Write a Journal Entry in Ten Easy Steps – Part Three