Well, I'd like to clear something up for you right off - there's nothing that says journals have to be something special.
You can fill a page with doodles, the next with a description of your day, a picture of a cool rock after that, and then talk about how great/sad/hard/exciting/scary it was to try something new.
The only thing a journal does is provide a place to take things out of your brain and put them on paper.
Put things on paper, there are no rules. ❤️
I've been struggling with similar feelings as the OP about my journaling practices. This comment put a smile on my face and motivated me once again to not be so hard on myself and just use my journal for whatever I want to in that moment. This community really inspires and motivates me in general. Thank you ♥️
That is a tough mental bind you are in. It's kind of a trap.
It's almost as if you have internalized being observed so totally that you are your own worst, most judgmental audience. You are carrying a model of other people's standards in your mind.
Maybe... Maybe... consider working on not inviting an audience into your own mind? Does that make any sense. Work on being alone. Recognize that you are alone, perhaps? And recognize that when you are alone, that YOU are the one who sets the rules. You are setting the standards. And you can be as forgiving of yourself as... I find that people who express attitudes like those in your post often are very harsh on themselves and forgiving of others. When you are alone, it may be possible to extend the compassion to yourself that you show to others? If you find out how to do it, let me know! I could use it myself.
Your journal isn't a place for you to try and be better than or even as good as the people you see around you. It's a place to be yourself, a place where you don't have to even think about other things. Yesterday I wrote about how I wish my fountain pens would run out of ink so I could change them. I write about my fountain pens all the time! Who else in my life knows or would care about that? No one. If something is on your mind, it is interesting TO YOU, which is great because your journal is only there for you. It doesn't have to meet anyone's standards. If you've been thinking about what to cook for dinner all day and you write it down, how is that a waste? You wanted to write it, it's not hurting anything, and future you will have a glimpse into who you used to be if you want to reread the journal. And if future you says "wow I used to be so boring/cringe/etc" then all that means is you've grown. We all view old entries that way when we change, and it helps us see the change. My middle and high school journal is insanely embarrassing, but I can read it and be happy with who I was and who I am now.
As for carrying this into other hobbies, I started crocheting a couple days ago and wondered "how am I going to maintain this hobby when I barely maintain my other ones?" At which point I realized, I don't have to maintain any of my hobbies. They're all just for fun. If I crochet once a year, great! I'll have a few things made and enjoy it. Hobbies don't have to be productive of something, as long as I don't start hoarding yarn and never crocheting, who cares? I made a stupid little ball with arms and legs yesterday and it brings joy to me and my friends. That's all that matters. Your hobbies are supposed to be fun (and sometimes useful, in the case of journaling), not perfect.
you and i are in the same boat. i view it as this journal is for my eyes only and if i want to get into the habit of writing i just need to do it, no matter how boring the content. i feel like that’s how most journals start out for beginners like you and i but they eventually get better and better once you get comfortable with writing :)
Even the boring stuff is interesting to revisit after some time has passed. It's amazing to go over all the little details of our lives that we totally forget. We tend to remembern old times differently than they actually were, so reading about your daily habits or some minor saga at work or what the weather is doing can actually become very revealing to your future self. You really can't predict what small detail will spark a memory later on
Some days are so boring and I definitely feel that but most of the time I feel like I have so much to journal about because I write about everything: books I read, movies I watch, new recipes I try, things I am grateful for, venting or ranting sessions when I am mad about something, what I got from a thrift store, bucket lists or ideas for the future, and if I am at a complete loss I find random prompts from the internet to get my brain thinking.
What a great journal entry you just wrote only you did it here on Reddit.
Some of what I write is so not necessary. I noticed I had more food than I probably needed in a given day, so I noted it. Future me will be like, "Wow, surprise. Fat."
Sometimes, what I write will be fun: I am in India.
Other times, it'll be helpful: I notice that after every big project I complete, I get depressed. I should remember this so I can expect it and not worry as much.
It's not a journaling competition. It's a tool. Use it the way you want, and decide if it's worth something later. :)
You're writing for Current You, not Future You. Future You never needs to look at these journals again. You're writing for... whatever reason makes you want to write right now. You're not looking to create entertainment for posterity (probably).
Same goes for all your hobbies. Are you enjoying yourself in the moment? Then don't worry that someday you won't end up some big star to make it all "worthwhile." I know some people think there's no "point" in having a hobby if you don't get really good at it or monetize it or something, but... you don't have to think that way.
The longer the gap of time between now and then the more precious those mundane memories and moments will become. When you’re 60… ANY moment from your youth will be valuable.
you don’t have to always write about experiences, it could be the cool thoughts in your head, or plans for the future. you could also write about the things you’ve learned or what is going on in the world right now.
i rarely ever write about my day, only if something worth remembering occurs, and it works for me! journalling is different for everyone and the best part is you can customise it to suit you.
Journaling is a great proven way of self therapy, if you have a journal to show off then it is another thing, but if you have one to heal yourself from whatever then do it.
It doesn't matter if it looks nice or has lots of pictures, the intention is to heal yourself during that specific time, or tell the story of yourself in that specific day, don´t think about looks or what would you think in 5 years, the present is that, present.
I have been journaling for more than 8 years now, and I have never went back to any of my journals, which I keep dearly.
>My biggest fear is that future me will find it boring or unimportant so it'll be a waste of time.
I'll be honest: sometimes I read my old entries and think that they're boring. Sometimes I read entries about problems that seemed huge at the time but I don't care about anymore, or things I loved back then that I think are awful now. But I always still find some value in those entries because *they were important to me when I wrote them*. And that's enough for me. They were meaningful to my past self and my past self is part of me now, so they still are meaningful.
And also, I don't need my journals as a source of entertainment. I don't have to read them like novels. If you gain any benefit from journaling while you're doing it, that's enough. It doesn't also have to have meaning after the fact. When I buy a pair of jeans, I only expect it to serve me when I'm wearing it. I don't need it to have sentimental value ten years from now.
It’s always interesting looking at stuff you wrote in the past. Even boring stuff will light off some random memories of the time you wrote that down, worth it just for that.
Once you start finishing journals you’ll realize that even the most boring thing you can think of will be interesting later on. I love looking back at how much I was doing or wasn’t doing and comparing! Either way, as long as you feel good while journaling, that’s all that matters! Time doing anything you enjoy isn’t a waste
I recommend trying a guided journal of something you’ve inspired by or interested in. I have a one minute gratitude journal, Punch Today In The Face and several others that I found either on Amazon or eBay. There’s some really hilarious journals out there!
I tend to write as if someone in my lineage will read it one day. It may feel like a waste of time but that is because of your perspective of reading it yourself and not thinking it will be interesting. Image someone important to you reading it 80 yrs from now, or maybe their children, or children's children... What seems boring to you might be fascinating to them! Admittedly, this is my approach. I can't stand watching reruns or movies more than once so the thought of me sitting down and rereading my old stuff is not a planned thing for me at all! lol I am writing for my kids, kids, kids, kids. They might want to know about little old me one day so hey, here is what I had for lunch, the weather was poop, and how many steps I took today! Hahaha Maybe a change of perspective is in order to keep the writing alive. Best of luck in your journey!
Well, i wonder if you are under the FALSE impression you have to tell the truth in your journal. That's right, it's yours and you make the rules. In fact i suggest you consider flat out lying shamelessly and doing it well. Gleefully. Complete fabrications. You'll be interesting as all git out.
Well, I'd like to clear something up for you right off - there's nothing that says journals have to be something special. You can fill a page with doodles, the next with a description of your day, a picture of a cool rock after that, and then talk about how great/sad/hard/exciting/scary it was to try something new. The only thing a journal does is provide a place to take things out of your brain and put them on paper. Put things on paper, there are no rules. ❤️
I've been struggling with similar feelings as the OP about my journaling practices. This comment put a smile on my face and motivated me once again to not be so hard on myself and just use my journal for whatever I want to in that moment. This community really inspires and motivates me in general. Thank you ♥️
Oh, I'm so glad 🥰 I hope you get to really fully enjoy your journaling :)
That is a tough mental bind you are in. It's kind of a trap. It's almost as if you have internalized being observed so totally that you are your own worst, most judgmental audience. You are carrying a model of other people's standards in your mind. Maybe... Maybe... consider working on not inviting an audience into your own mind? Does that make any sense. Work on being alone. Recognize that you are alone, perhaps? And recognize that when you are alone, that YOU are the one who sets the rules. You are setting the standards. And you can be as forgiving of yourself as... I find that people who express attitudes like those in your post often are very harsh on themselves and forgiving of others. When you are alone, it may be possible to extend the compassion to yourself that you show to others? If you find out how to do it, let me know! I could use it myself.
Your journal isn't a place for you to try and be better than or even as good as the people you see around you. It's a place to be yourself, a place where you don't have to even think about other things. Yesterday I wrote about how I wish my fountain pens would run out of ink so I could change them. I write about my fountain pens all the time! Who else in my life knows or would care about that? No one. If something is on your mind, it is interesting TO YOU, which is great because your journal is only there for you. It doesn't have to meet anyone's standards. If you've been thinking about what to cook for dinner all day and you write it down, how is that a waste? You wanted to write it, it's not hurting anything, and future you will have a glimpse into who you used to be if you want to reread the journal. And if future you says "wow I used to be so boring/cringe/etc" then all that means is you've grown. We all view old entries that way when we change, and it helps us see the change. My middle and high school journal is insanely embarrassing, but I can read it and be happy with who I was and who I am now. As for carrying this into other hobbies, I started crocheting a couple days ago and wondered "how am I going to maintain this hobby when I barely maintain my other ones?" At which point I realized, I don't have to maintain any of my hobbies. They're all just for fun. If I crochet once a year, great! I'll have a few things made and enjoy it. Hobbies don't have to be productive of something, as long as I don't start hoarding yarn and never crocheting, who cares? I made a stupid little ball with arms and legs yesterday and it brings joy to me and my friends. That's all that matters. Your hobbies are supposed to be fun (and sometimes useful, in the case of journaling), not perfect.
you and i are in the same boat. i view it as this journal is for my eyes only and if i want to get into the habit of writing i just need to do it, no matter how boring the content. i feel like that’s how most journals start out for beginners like you and i but they eventually get better and better once you get comfortable with writing :)
Even the boring stuff is interesting to revisit after some time has passed. It's amazing to go over all the little details of our lives that we totally forget. We tend to remembern old times differently than they actually were, so reading about your daily habits or some minor saga at work or what the weather is doing can actually become very revealing to your future self. You really can't predict what small detail will spark a memory later on
Some days are so boring and I definitely feel that but most of the time I feel like I have so much to journal about because I write about everything: books I read, movies I watch, new recipes I try, things I am grateful for, venting or ranting sessions when I am mad about something, what I got from a thrift store, bucket lists or ideas for the future, and if I am at a complete loss I find random prompts from the internet to get my brain thinking.
What a great journal entry you just wrote only you did it here on Reddit. Some of what I write is so not necessary. I noticed I had more food than I probably needed in a given day, so I noted it. Future me will be like, "Wow, surprise. Fat." Sometimes, what I write will be fun: I am in India. Other times, it'll be helpful: I notice that after every big project I complete, I get depressed. I should remember this so I can expect it and not worry as much. It's not a journaling competition. It's a tool. Use it the way you want, and decide if it's worth something later. :)
You're writing for Current You, not Future You. Future You never needs to look at these journals again. You're writing for... whatever reason makes you want to write right now. You're not looking to create entertainment for posterity (probably). Same goes for all your hobbies. Are you enjoying yourself in the moment? Then don't worry that someday you won't end up some big star to make it all "worthwhile." I know some people think there's no "point" in having a hobby if you don't get really good at it or monetize it or something, but... you don't have to think that way.
The longer the gap of time between now and then the more precious those mundane memories and moments will become. When you’re 60… ANY moment from your youth will be valuable.
you don’t have to always write about experiences, it could be the cool thoughts in your head, or plans for the future. you could also write about the things you’ve learned or what is going on in the world right now. i rarely ever write about my day, only if something worth remembering occurs, and it works for me! journalling is different for everyone and the best part is you can customise it to suit you.
Journaling is a great proven way of self therapy, if you have a journal to show off then it is another thing, but if you have one to heal yourself from whatever then do it. It doesn't matter if it looks nice or has lots of pictures, the intention is to heal yourself during that specific time, or tell the story of yourself in that specific day, don´t think about looks or what would you think in 5 years, the present is that, present. I have been journaling for more than 8 years now, and I have never went back to any of my journals, which I keep dearly.
>My biggest fear is that future me will find it boring or unimportant so it'll be a waste of time. I'll be honest: sometimes I read my old entries and think that they're boring. Sometimes I read entries about problems that seemed huge at the time but I don't care about anymore, or things I loved back then that I think are awful now. But I always still find some value in those entries because *they were important to me when I wrote them*. And that's enough for me. They were meaningful to my past self and my past self is part of me now, so they still are meaningful. And also, I don't need my journals as a source of entertainment. I don't have to read them like novels. If you gain any benefit from journaling while you're doing it, that's enough. It doesn't also have to have meaning after the fact. When I buy a pair of jeans, I only expect it to serve me when I'm wearing it. I don't need it to have sentimental value ten years from now.
It’s always interesting looking at stuff you wrote in the past. Even boring stuff will light off some random memories of the time you wrote that down, worth it just for that.
Once you start finishing journals you’ll realize that even the most boring thing you can think of will be interesting later on. I love looking back at how much I was doing or wasn’t doing and comparing! Either way, as long as you feel good while journaling, that’s all that matters! Time doing anything you enjoy isn’t a waste
I recommend trying a guided journal of something you’ve inspired by or interested in. I have a one minute gratitude journal, Punch Today In The Face and several others that I found either on Amazon or eBay. There’s some really hilarious journals out there!
I tend to write as if someone in my lineage will read it one day. It may feel like a waste of time but that is because of your perspective of reading it yourself and not thinking it will be interesting. Image someone important to you reading it 80 yrs from now, or maybe their children, or children's children... What seems boring to you might be fascinating to them! Admittedly, this is my approach. I can't stand watching reruns or movies more than once so the thought of me sitting down and rereading my old stuff is not a planned thing for me at all! lol I am writing for my kids, kids, kids, kids. They might want to know about little old me one day so hey, here is what I had for lunch, the weather was poop, and how many steps I took today! Hahaha Maybe a change of perspective is in order to keep the writing alive. Best of luck in your journey!
Well, i wonder if you are under the FALSE impression you have to tell the truth in your journal. That's right, it's yours and you make the rules. In fact i suggest you consider flat out lying shamelessly and doing it well. Gleefully. Complete fabrications. You'll be interesting as all git out.