Journaling...a look back at your achievements and trials

@foxyfire33 (10005)
United States
March 29, 2007 5:09pm CST
Sometimes when one day seems just the day before, it's easy to feel like you're stuck in a rut and not getting anywhere in life. Keeping a journal can be a great way to really see where you've been and how far you've actually come. It can also remind you of all the wonderful things that have happened in your life. I was recently looking through one of my older journals. I won't get into all the personal details but it was surprising to realize just how much I have changed since then. Things that were a problem then with seemingly no end in sight were all but forgotten now. Some of my achievements from back then reminded me of what I am capable of and gave me incentive to work harder. I am so glad I began journaling as a way to sort things out. Now I have written proof that I am not stuck and a reminder of all the things that I've had to experience to get me to where I am today. To all of you who don't keep a journal yet, I'd recommend starting. You have no idea of all the wonderful benefits that can come from it. You don't even need a fancy book to start it in. A plain spiral notebook works just as well. To everyone who keeps a journal already, would you care to share how it helps you or what kinds of things you keep track of in it? You don't need to get too personal, just a general idea, like I have a relationship journal and another for Bible studies that often includes bits and pieces of everyday life.
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1 response
@vebela (310)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I have had a hard time keeping a journal in the past. I don't have the best handwriting unless I take my time and write slowly. But, when I write in a journal I like to write as fast as I think, or at least try to keep up with it. Another problem with my not-so-beautiful handwriting is that I don't want to make a beautifully bound journal spoiled. I know it's silly, but, I still don't like to mess it up with my scribbles. Now that I can keep my blog online, I write in it at least 3 to 5 times a week. I write about my daily struggles and my daily small acheivements. I write about whatever thoughts are running through my head, like concerns, worries, happy thoughts, dreams, and future plans. Most of my posts are set to private, so only I can read them. But, I also use my blog to keep my close friends and family posted on what's going on in my life. And, they write comments back to me, depending on the topic I wrote about about that day. I really enjoy journaling. And, reading back on previous posts, I see the same things you do. Things that I thought would ruin my life, I got through just fine. And, things that made me proud, remind me of how good I can be when I put my mind to it.
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
30 Mar 07
Your first paragraph describes me to a T! That's why I all my "scribbles" are in plain notebooks I get for 9 cents a piece at Wal-mart's back to school sales. I have one really nice journal that I bought for my Bible study. It has scriptures throughout the pages so I thought it would be perfect. It's been a year at least and I still haven't used it. It's silly but I keep thinking "what if I use this page for this subject and tomorrow come up with something that would have gone better with this scripture?" Obviously there are other solutions but my plain notebooks do the job so I'll probably end up giving my "fancy" journal as a gift. I'll have to look into blogging it's beginning to sound more and more interesting!
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@vebela (310)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I think blogging is definitely worth looking into since you like journaling so much. But, it's good that you use the cheap notepads when you journal. Sometimes it's nice to have that physical keepsake for your memories. I just could never keep up with it. And, I would probably end up misplacing it, and buying a whole new one to start up again, only to find that first one a weeks later! hehehe Happy Journaling!
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