~Journaling in April/May~ - Page 2

[Oriole]

Anyone keeps Tarot reading journal, where you record daily (or not so daily) readings and how you understand them? I was thinking of one for a while, but it's all a time commitment issue.

Another one that might be interesting to keep is a dream diary. Anyone does that?

[BurtsGirl]

Oriole, I don't keep a separate journal for those thing. My tarot reading (which are very few and far between) go on my spiritual blog. My Dreams right now are going in my regular journal. I just title thme dreams. I don't record a dream every day but if one strikes me I write it down.

[BelovedK]

Originally Posted by Oriole

Anyone keeps Tarot reading journal, where you record daily (or not so daily) readings and how you understand them? I was thinking of one for a while, but it's all a time commitment issue.

Another one that might be interesting to keep is a dream diary. Anyone does that?

I keep 2 tarot journals... One is more of a study where I put notations and meanings...The other is an account of the readings I do, I don't always record them in there, but I do so if I am not too tired (I do readings in the evening) When I do readings for others they don't go in the journal though.

[BurtsGirl]

I had a small trip planned for just me and my dog to a wooded mountain cabin. I wanted to journal and figure out some things. I was hoping to get some clarity or have that lightening bolt hit me but nada. I did get a lot of journaling done and it was very relaxing but now I'm pretty burnt out on writing. I've taken a day or two off and plan to pick it back up today or tomorrow to reacess my trip now that I'm home.

I also got the book Journalution: Journaling to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life and Manifest Your Dreams from interlibrary loan. So I'm sure that will motivate me to do some writing also. I'm also hoping to share some of the prompts and ideas here, see if we can get this thread to take off.

I changed our title and added May to it also. Doesn't seem long enough to start another thread yet.

So what's everyone journaling about? Reading? Doing?

[nolansmummy]

I love journaling, and really need to make time to do it more. I think it would really help me with all the stress and anxiety i'm having right now.

I don't always title my journals, but it seems i'm always out of room, and ready to start a new one when a major change happens in my life. Its weird. Like i wrote on the last page of two of my journals: I'm pregnant...

I am sooo picky about pens and journals too. I usually just buy from borders, or some place like that, but i'll stand there for an hour trying to find the perfect one.

I keep all my old journals, i like to read through them from time to time, its hard sometimes reading the tough parts, but i like that i'm at a better place now, and at the time i wrote it , i thought things would never get better. Really puts things back into perspective for me in the now. Its so easy to get consumed by my emotions and let them take over my mind, and life. Journalling gets them out of my head.

I really need to buy a new journal, think i might do that on the weekend.

I do blog , but its mostly for weight loss, i don't like that other people can read it, i'm not as honest and open as when i write on paper.

[aweynsayl]

i've been trying out a few different things-- along the lines of what i used to do... (still cant find a book i love, though!), mainly-- my hand hurts! it's been so long since i've really written.... owie!
i'm glad this thread is here-- so i keep trying!

[BurtsGirl]

Originally Posted by nolansmummy

I don't always title my journals, but it seems i'm always out of room, and ready to start a new one when a major change happens in my life. Its weird. Like i wrote on the last page of two of my journals: I'm pregnant...

I am sooo picky about pens and journals too. I usually just buy from borders, or some place like that, but i'll stand there for an hour trying to find the perfect one.

Its so easy to get consumed by my emotions and let them take over my mind, and life. Journalling gets them out of my head.

Wow, there's a lot of : up there. First I hope when I get to the end of mine I can write I'm pregnant! Even better if it was before the end. Also I'm the same way about journals only I go to B&N. I'm there at least an hour looking over all the journals, opening them, seeing how they feel, etc. And Third, I also get consumed with my emotions. It's one of my most favorite things about journaling. The release!

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

mainly-- my hand hurts! it's been so long since i've really written.... owie!

I'm feeling you, Aweynsayl! Does it get better the longer you write? I just figured it was all part of the deal/experience.

[BurtsGirl]

Technique

This is one of the journaling techniques from the Journaling to the Self book I mentioned earlier.

It's called Clustering.

The idea is to write down a word. I recently did this with the word "Relationship" and another one with the word "Control". You can chose a word you associate with a problem your having right now. Could be a random word. I chose mine because they were becoming "themes" in my journal writing and I wanted a more in-dept look at it.

This technique is used a lot with brainstorming in the business world but the author of the book says it's also a great way to get into your subconsciouses. It works in a similar way as free writing does. It's also a quick way to get to the bottom on something or the core. This is also a Right Brain exercise and allows us to tap into our creative right brain for answers instead of always using our logical left brains.

Write THE word you want to start with in the center of the page and circle it. Think of that word and write the next words you think of out side of THE word and circle them. Work outward connecting the words together in a cluster. Try to keep your hand moving for at least 3 mins or until an "aha" comes. You can continue until you feel you can not anymore or until you run out of room; whatever works best for you. Don't censor yourself, add whatever word comes to you mind even if it doesn't make sense or is silly. An example image of what it might look like is here.

I didn't get an aha but I start to notice a lot of my outer words were around fear and acceptance. This lead to another journal entry on how they all relate to each other. VERY enlightening.

I'd love to know how you liked this if you try it. Also if anyone else want to share a technique feel free. I'm going to try to put up a prompt or technique once a week or so but feel free to take a week over if you'd like or just throw something out there.

Happy Journaling

[aweynsayl]

Originally Posted by BurtsGirl

Does it get better the longer you write? I just figured it was all part of the deal/experience.

oh, yeah. when i was writing a ton on a regular basis, i never noticed it at all. i'm just very out of practice!

Originally Posted by BurtsGirl

I didn't get an aha but I start to notice a lot of my outer words were around fear and acceptance. This lead to another journal entry on how they all relate to each other. VERY enlightening.

ohh, i shall have to try that! sounds fun!

well. i found a couple journals that spoke to me, but then in the morning it didnt feel right... i'm trying to be more creative, and having a journal "made" by a machine isnt ringing true to my goals, so i've decided to "make" one... or, at least, get a simple book and "decorate" it with some fabric that i love... wish me luck, and please-- hold me accountable!

oh, btw... here's that image i think i mentioned before..... my ideal journaling spot... it's on my Treasure Map along with affirmations about my notebooks being full of thoughtful observations.... we shall see!

[BurtsGirl]

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

oh, yeah. when i was writing a ton on a regular basis, i never noticed it at all. i'm just very out of practice!

Well THAT is good to hear! I am still cramping up if I write more than 10-15 minutes. Could it be the pen or do I just need more practice?

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

i'm trying to be more creative, and having a journal "made" by a machine isnt ringing true to my goals, so i've decided to "make" one... or, at least, get a simple book and "decorate" it with some fabric that i love... wish me luck, and please-- hold me accountable!

oh, btw... here's that image i think i mentioned before..... my ideal journaling spot... it's on my Treasure Map along with affirmations about my notebooks being full of thoughtful observations.... we shall see!

That sound lovely, Aweynsayl! I love the idea of making your own. Let us know how that turns out. And your spot looks just wonderful! I can totally picture you there writing! I also have journaling on my treasure map!

How's everyone else doing with journaling?

[aweynsayl]

Originally Posted by BurtsGirl

Well THAT is good to hear! I am still cramping up if I write more than 10-15 minutes. Could it be the pen or do I just need more practice?

could be... what are you using? also-- i find the most likely cluprit is grip. are you holding the pen tight and pressing down really hard? i like pens that just glide across the paper...... off to find me some new ones soon! (and thanks! i am trying to manifest the feeling of being in that study! :-)

[BelovedK]

I have been avoiding it for some reason. I plan to write today. I just bought a new unlined bright red journal

[BurtsGirl]

My pen
I'm probably gripping to tight also.

BK, good luck journaling today!

[Oriole]

Originally Posted by BelovedK

I have been avoiding it for some reason. I plan to write today. I just bought a new unlined bright red journal

I love bright red, but I need lines with a very particular spacing (it's almost obsessive ).

I haven't written much for a week now, will make an effort to go in tomorrow. Today was too exhausting.

[BelovedK]

I am realizing that I am writing at the wrong time of day, I always write before bed and am so tired that I cut it short. I am going to write this morning and see if that is better, the kids are going to school and I will have a minute.

My poor tarot journal is lonely too

[BurtsGirl]

What a great observation, BK! It's rare I write in the evenings, unless it's the middle of the night and I can't sleep so I have to get up to write it out. I've been writing at my desk (shhh) at work when I get in in the morning and sometimes in the afternoon.

[BurtsGirl]

NPR was interviewing Barbara Walters this morning and even though I was half asleep I managed to hear that one of her most asked questions in her interviews was:

"What is the biggest misconception people have about you?"

I thought this was an excellent journaling prompt. What do you think is the biggest misconception people have about you? Or what misconception do you have about yourself. I came into work and wrote for 10 minutes on this question. Just thought I'd share if anyone is interested.

[aweynsayl]

ahh, i could have journaled extensively on that topic a year ago. but then i stopped spending time with people who liked to see me as how and who they *wanted* me to be rather than who i was.....

i *love* writing first thing in the morning, as i mentioned before. i find i censor myself less. i miss "morning pages"!

i tried clustering yesterday, and at first it was really hard, but i got into it and had a really nice "ah-ha!"... then i started journaling on it... got several good bits out, then ds woke up. i hope to do more today!

[BurtsGirl]

YEAH, so glad you got something from the clustering. It took me a few tries also.

[CariOfOz]

: Subbing mamas. I've never really done the journal/diary thing, but I have a lot of crap that I have such a hard time talking about with anyone else (even hubby) that I thought I might try it. Someone enlighten a total noob.. do you just pick up and write whatevah? I saw the clustering post and that looked interesting are there other 'strategies' so to speak?