Mark, I’ve been journaling digitally on a daily basis for almost four years now. For me there are thoughts and observations in my journal that I wouldn’t want others to be privy to. They are, at times, extremely personal reflections, which is a primary reason for me not using a physical journal.
I’m interested to hear your thoughts on physical vs digital journaling. Have you written about this before? If so, I’d appreciate if you could link to it. If not, would love to see you touch on it in the future. Just an idea.
So glad to hear I'm not the only one who feels this way!
As you say, some of those 'thoughts and observations' are private, for a variety of reasons. I've decided on art journaling as a work-around, which also feeds my artsy-fartsy side :) Maybe through mixed media I can put those feelings onto a page without fear of being misunderstood or offending someone. Words are explicit, whereas art is more ambiguous and open to interpretation.
I've never tried to constrain myself to fit a time period into one journal, and have even occasionally been known to (gasp!) abandon a journal before it's filled up if I'm "not feeling it", ie, not enjoying the journal I'm using for some reason (though I swear I don't normally like to waste paper). I like to keep my eye out for new and different journals to use, though they have to fit certain parameters that aren't always easy to find. I like them to be at least 8 x 10 inches---anything smaller I find constraining and annoying to write (and occasionally draw) in. The paper has to be unlined, and can't be so thin that I can see my writing through the other side, plus it has to be smooth enough and sized enough to accept fountain pen ink without incident. I also like the cover to be fairly plain as I'll often adorn the front cover with some collage or painting. Whether I do or don't, I'm not into journals that look too fancy or are "trying too hard" 😅.
Sometimes I'll write furiously for days or weeks, but I can also go a long time without writing. I tend to go to my journal when I need it.
I bet you'll definitely have different results if you're not preventing yourself from writing about something because you don't want to take up too much space. Personally, applying any rules to journal writing would defeat the purpose for me. Where else can you do exactly what you please, in the manner that you like, expressing yourself without holding back? I treasure the freedom my journals represent. I also treasure the relationship I've developed with them, as they got me through many a tough time when I was younger.
I couldn't possibly constrain myself to making a journal last a year - I simply start a new one when my current one is full. I finished my last volume at the end of November (I started it in August), and simply picked up the next blank notebook from my bookshelf at the beginning of December. There are some who say 'new year, new journal', but that just doesn't work for me!
Can I pick you up on your pronunciation of 'Leuchtturm'? To use IPA symbols, it's this: /ˈlɔʏç(t)ˌtʊʁm/
Or, to use English graphology: 'loyhhhhht-torm'. It's the German word for 'lighthouse', which I think is very fitting - my notebook certainly lights my way! 😊
Oh Mark, don't correct it - I wouldn't go so far as to call it wrong! My long sequence of aitches represents the fact that the sound is more of a sigh than a shhhhhh. 🇩🇪🙂
I have faced the same dilemma regarding journals. For the past 20 years I have used beautiful journals of water buffalo hide with handmade vellum pages. It just "feels" right and luxurious in my hands. I, too, need an 8x10 size page or I feel cramped. I write early in the morning with my red wire hair ed dachshund tucked in beside me and a steaming hot cup of coffee, when all is quiet and dark. When do you journal?
Hi Susan, I don't have a specific time for journaling: often I will grab slots of time during the day to make a quick update. I like to journal in the morning when I can, though.
Left the journals with dates behind, a long time ago. Did not like the ruled ones and those with blank pages seemed to become messy --no order. Settled for regular 8 X 10 composition notebooks found in Walmart (US). Some pretty ones are saved for special things.
PS: Nice to know there are others (geeks) obsessed about journaling...:)
That is a devastatingly good find, Mark. And it seems a theme for each year/years. You can even note the dates on the spine. Simplify. And you're talking to one who has a personal journal, a goal/manifesting journal, and a business-building journal. I'm certifiable. Don't be me. xo
One of the greatest thrills in my life (and possibly the easiest to achieve) is starting a new notebook so I respect your restraint in limiting yourself to one a year but know that could never be me! If anything, I'm trying to get through as many notebooks in a year as possible!
I write one page per day until it’s filled up and then start a new one. I don’t worry about keeping one year per book since I date everything. I use whatever size I happen to have on hand. These days I’m more concerned with the paper than the size as I’ve switched to fountain pens for my journaling.
I have 2 journals that I use regularly and are somewhat time bound.
A general Leuchtturm (colour changes each year) that so far I’ve never completely filled each year. But mostly done. 2024 is Gold.
And one for morning pages (a la Julia Cameron). Well 2. Lately I have been filling up one every six months. (Usually with a furious spurt of writing in late June and December to actually finish them.)
I also have a few other Leuchtturms on the go for “special projects”. They could last years.
I like the lined one (also from Chapters/Indigo and amazingly enough one that is still available in the same format and colour) for Morning Pages but otherwise love dotted Leuchtturm best.
I didn’t know that’s how you pronounce Leuchtturm!
I officially started journalling again on August 1, 2021, so no, my journals don’t contain one year. I try not to trouble myself with that, because it’s not a very healthy thought (for me).
I was new to Journaling in 2023, and mostly filled an unused old marble notebook from the old school supplies cupboard. I started a fresh journal on New Years Day. It is nothing special, probably an unused dollar store journal I found when clearing out my mom's house.
I fit whatever I can fit into my leuchtturm journals. I only like to end with a whole month instead of the middle of the month. My current one started in June 2023 and I've got about 40% of it left.
I left 2 pages blank that I'll create a 2024 title page for and continued on the following page with my first janurary entry. I prefer doing it this way so I'm not having to waste pages or buy too many journals.
Mark, I’ve been journaling digitally on a daily basis for almost four years now. For me there are thoughts and observations in my journal that I wouldn’t want others to be privy to. They are, at times, extremely personal reflections, which is a primary reason for me not using a physical journal.
I’m interested to hear your thoughts on physical vs digital journaling. Have you written about this before? If so, I’d appreciate if you could link to it. If not, would love to see you touch on it in the future. Just an idea.
Hi Mark, thanks for your comment. I haven't written about this before and it sounds like a good newsletter topic!
So glad to hear I'm not the only one who feels this way!
As you say, some of those 'thoughts and observations' are private, for a variety of reasons. I've decided on art journaling as a work-around, which also feeds my artsy-fartsy side :) Maybe through mixed media I can put those feelings onto a page without fear of being misunderstood or offending someone. Words are explicit, whereas art is more ambiguous and open to interpretation.
I've never tried to constrain myself to fit a time period into one journal, and have even occasionally been known to (gasp!) abandon a journal before it's filled up if I'm "not feeling it", ie, not enjoying the journal I'm using for some reason (though I swear I don't normally like to waste paper). I like to keep my eye out for new and different journals to use, though they have to fit certain parameters that aren't always easy to find. I like them to be at least 8 x 10 inches---anything smaller I find constraining and annoying to write (and occasionally draw) in. The paper has to be unlined, and can't be so thin that I can see my writing through the other side, plus it has to be smooth enough and sized enough to accept fountain pen ink without incident. I also like the cover to be fairly plain as I'll often adorn the front cover with some collage or painting. Whether I do or don't, I'm not into journals that look too fancy or are "trying too hard" 😅.
Sometimes I'll write furiously for days or weeks, but I can also go a long time without writing. I tend to go to my journal when I need it.
I bet you'll definitely have different results if you're not preventing yourself from writing about something because you don't want to take up too much space. Personally, applying any rules to journal writing would defeat the purpose for me. Where else can you do exactly what you please, in the manner that you like, expressing yourself without holding back? I treasure the freedom my journals represent. I also treasure the relationship I've developed with them, as they got me through many a tough time when I was younger.
I'm starting a reading journal, both on paper and with Notion, to practice with this tool. Let's see if it will last until March :D
Good luck!
I keep thinking of starting a book journal too
Such a great post, Mark - I loved this!
I couldn't possibly constrain myself to making a journal last a year - I simply start a new one when my current one is full. I finished my last volume at the end of November (I started it in August), and simply picked up the next blank notebook from my bookshelf at the beginning of December. There are some who say 'new year, new journal', but that just doesn't work for me!
Can I pick you up on your pronunciation of 'Leuchtturm'? To use IPA symbols, it's this: /ˈlɔʏç(t)ˌtʊʁm/
Or, to use English graphology: 'loyhhhhht-torm'. It's the German word for 'lighthouse', which I think is very fitting - my notebook certainly lights my way! 😊
D'OH, I can stand to be corrected! I thought there was an S in the pronunciation! I'll correct my post.
Oh Mark, don't correct it - I wouldn't go so far as to call it wrong! My long sequence of aitches represents the fact that the sound is more of a sigh than a shhhhhh. 🇩🇪🙂
Nonetheless, I've added your feedback!
I've just read it, and it's really made me smile! Lovely! ☺️
I have faced the same dilemma regarding journals. For the past 20 years I have used beautiful journals of water buffalo hide with handmade vellum pages. It just "feels" right and luxurious in my hands. I, too, need an 8x10 size page or I feel cramped. I write early in the morning with my red wire hair ed dachshund tucked in beside me and a steaming hot cup of coffee, when all is quiet and dark. When do you journal?
Hi Susan, I don't have a specific time for journaling: often I will grab slots of time during the day to make a quick update. I like to journal in the morning when I can, though.
Left the journals with dates behind, a long time ago. Did not like the ruled ones and those with blank pages seemed to become messy --no order. Settled for regular 8 X 10 composition notebooks found in Walmart (US). Some pretty ones are saved for special things.
PS: Nice to know there are others (geeks) obsessed about journaling...:)
That is a devastatingly good find, Mark. And it seems a theme for each year/years. You can even note the dates on the spine. Simplify. And you're talking to one who has a personal journal, a goal/manifesting journal, and a business-building journal. I'm certifiable. Don't be me. xo
One of the greatest thrills in my life (and possibly the easiest to achieve) is starting a new notebook so I respect your restraint in limiting yourself to one a year but know that could never be me! If anything, I'm trying to get through as many notebooks in a year as possible!
I write one page per day until it’s filled up and then start a new one. I don’t worry about keeping one year per book since I date everything. I use whatever size I happen to have on hand. These days I’m more concerned with the paper than the size as I’ve switched to fountain pens for my journaling.
I have a preference for good quality paper, too.
*Do you keep a personal journal?*
Yep.
*Are any of your journaling habits unique to you (or so you think)?*
Nope.
*Do you follow any rules at all or do you just let the words fly to your heart's content?*
Nope.
Whatever works!
I have 2 journals that I use regularly and are somewhat time bound.
A general Leuchtturm (colour changes each year) that so far I’ve never completely filled each year. But mostly done. 2024 is Gold.
And one for morning pages (a la Julia Cameron). Well 2. Lately I have been filling up one every six months. (Usually with a furious spurt of writing in late June and December to actually finish them.)
I also have a few other Leuchtturms on the go for “special projects”. They could last years.
I like the lined one (also from Chapters/Indigo and amazingly enough one that is still available in the same format and colour) for Morning Pages but otherwise love dotted Leuchtturm best.
I like the flexibility of dotted pages, too.
I didn’t know that’s how you pronounce Leuchtturm!
I officially started journalling again on August 1, 2021, so no, my journals don’t contain one year. I try not to trouble myself with that, because it’s not a very healthy thought (for me).
There's no right or wrong way to journal. :)
I was new to Journaling in 2023, and mostly filled an unused old marble notebook from the old school supplies cupboard. I started a fresh journal on New Years Day. It is nothing special, probably an unused dollar store journal I found when clearing out my mom's house.
Let us know how it goes!
I fit whatever I can fit into my leuchtturm journals. I only like to end with a whole month instead of the middle of the month. My current one started in June 2023 and I've got about 40% of it left.
I left 2 pages blank that I'll create a 2024 title page for and continued on the following page with my first janurary entry. I prefer doing it this way so I'm not having to waste pages or buy too many journals.
The L1917s are not cheap so I understand the desire to fully use them.
A journal a year sounds like a good idea, or a journal per topic.
2024 journal underway!