(because sheepdog asked)
1. Get the right pen. Not heavy, fat or blobby. Not one that smears under my southpaw. Not one that is supposed to have a lid, but missing that lid. It doesn't feel right.
2. Get the right notebook. Consider that you have to look at it regularly. Does it make you feel creative, bored or annoyed? Is it easy to write in, or does it snap shut every time you inhale?
3. Don't worry about what anyone else may read. It's their problem if they do. Truthfully, they probably won't, because it's only interesting to you anyway. :)
4. Write what you want, when you want. And if you don't write for weeks or months, that's OK. Come back to it when you feel like it. Life has enough "should's" - don't add journalling to the list!
My journals are mostly spiritual in nature. Many written prayers ... sometimes I copy out something from a book I'm reading, or from the Bible, just because it caught my attention ... sometimes it's thoughts about what is happening in my life, and what I think about it.
Sometimes I start a page with "Yesterday..." and keep going. I got that idea from someone who said it helps you not to have an "unexamined life".
If I'm not writing much, it's usually because so much is happening, I don't have time to write it down, and/or I'm not ready to put it into words. I do try to catch up, if I want to remember it for later.
And I do go back to my journals sometimes. It's really encouraging. I see all the things I've survived ... what I'm NOT praying anymore, because it got answered ... encouragements and stuff I've learned.
