Journaling Through Life

My Four Trusted Companions

I’m probably the last one to know, but did you know there are four National Journal Writing Months each year? Yep, January, April, July, and October. These months are designed to help us build a habit of writing in a journal by starting each quarter with a month of intentional writing prompts. The other two months of the quarter? Perfect for solidifying this practice into a habit. You can learn more about it on the National Journal Writing Month website.

For most of my life, I’ve been a keeper of journals. And not just one journal at a time—oh no, I juggle multiple journals concurrently. Each one has a specific role to play, and I find comfort and inspiration in them all. Let me introduce you to my fabulous four:

The Work/Commonplace Journal

First up is my work commonplace journal. This is where I put my weekly to-do lists, take notes from meetings, and draft emails. I love writing on paper with a colorful pen (which is a whole other post) when I’m creating. I also keep track of my expenses when I’m traveling and tape in articles, horoscopes, and other tidbits I come across during the day. Over time, this journal has evolved into what used to be called a commonplace book. It’s not exactly a journal in the traditional sense, where you document daily activities or process your feelings. Instead, it’s more of a tool—a place to gather and organize useful information for use now and to collect bits that become bigger concepts in the future. Looking through mine, I found all the iterations of Board presentations, outlines of a book I once considered writing, and mock-ups of numerous PowerPoint slides. It made me realize that the books most powerful in my life are not the ones I read but the ones I write in.

 The Calendar Diary

My diary is where I keep track of what I do on any given day. It’s a chronological record of my life, capturing the mundane and the memorable. As a diabetic, I also make notes about my numbers and track my meals. My diary isn’t in a blank book; it’s a non-dated weekly planner with each spread covering one week. The entries are short, and the list area helps me track the small parts of larger responsibilities—like planning for my upcoming move. Because it’s undated, it’s okay if I get out of the habit from time to time. My diary journal is great when I need to jog my memory about when something happened. Once I find the date, I can go to my other journals to find the details. I think this journal is closest to the bullet journal concept that has become so popular recently.

 The Gratitude Journal

A gratitude journal is a place to be mindful about the best things going on in my life. It is the most casual of my journals, and I don’t typically write fully formed entries. More often than not, it’s a simple list, and I may sit down to intentionally work in it, but I also find myself jotting down my thoughts in real-time on post-it notes that I stick into my journal later. I try to add something every day, and it’s much easier to do that by acknowledging the good as it happens instead of remembering the good after it’s passed.

The Art Journal

Lastly, there’s my art journal. An art journal is a visual diary where I practice making art while expressing myself at the same time. It’s a place to record inspirations, experiments, successes, and even failures. Artists use art journals to document their creative process, track progress, and see connections between their works over time. My art journal includes sketches, paintings, and mixed media pieces, often accompanied by notes and reflections. It’s a space where I can freely explore my creativity without the pressure of creating a finished piece. It’s not about documenting the drafts of a piece; it’s more about expressing my intentions and exploring how to best manifest my vision.

I have to admit, I’ve gotten away from my journal, diary, and art journal, focusing mainly on my work commonplace journal. I know it’s because my job has been my priority, but I think it’s time to get back to my gratitude journal and personal journal, and be more mindful when updating my diary. As I’m thinking about it, this blog is a bit of a diary—there’s no pen or paper involved—but journaling online has become more and more popular. I will use the blog to not just track my creative endeavors but share them too.

So, when you come here to check out my blog, think of it as peeking into my diary—seeing what’s going on in my life and maybe sharing a little bit about what’s going on in yours. And with January just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to prepare for the next National Journal Writing Month. Find a nice new journal, buy a pretty set of pens (or put them on your holiday gift list), and pick out a comforting candle to put you in the writing mood. Let’s embark on this journey of personal writing together and kick off the new year with a fresh commitment to our journaling practices!

 Happy journaling, and may your pages be filled with inspiration and joy!