5 Ways to Journal (And Why You Should)

→ Support me on Patreon
patreon.com/_jared
→ Description
In this video, we'll be discussing the benefits of keeping a journal and exploring 5 different ways to get started.
First, we'll look at some historical figures who have kept journals throughout history. These individuals have all used journaling as a way to document their thoughts, ideas, and experiences, and their journals have provided us with valuable insights into their lives and work.
Next, we'll delve into the benefits of journaling. Many people find that keeping a journal can help them process their thoughts and emotions, improve their mental health and well-being, and even boost their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Then, we'll look at five different ways to journal, including traditional pen and paper, digital journaling apps, art journals, and more. Whether you prefer to write, draw, or doodle, there's a journaling method that will work for you.
Finally, we'll address the question of whether to keep an analog or digital journal. There are pros and cons to both methods, and the right choice will depend on your personal preferences and needs.
Overall, we hope this video has inspired you to give journaling a try. Whether you're a seasoned writer or a complete beginner, there's a journaling method that will work for you. Happy writing!
→ Thinker
My free newsletter, in which I give a weekly analysis of a section from a great work of philosophy: jaredhenderson.substack.com
→ The Classical Mind
Check out my podcast where I discuss a great work of literature or philosophy every month: theclassicalmind.com
→ Links
Daily Rituals: amzn.to/3vtLea8
The Artist's Way: amzn.to/3VBhDpy
The Bullet Journal Method: amzn.to/3vya7kE
Hobonichi Five Year: www.1101.com/store/techo/en/5...
My favorite pen: amzn.to/3IeMXaJ
Best budget fountain pen: amzn.to/3YUaaou
Great brush pens: amzn.to/3VAfI4Q
My favorite journal: www.jetpens.com/Kokuyo-Perpan...
My other favorite journal: amzn.to/3GvyDJL
Fantastic mechanical pencil: amzn.to/3VEswXE
→ Video Gear
Mic: amzn.to/3Uw7ZVw
Recorder: amzn.to/3Tz1uQp
Camera: amzn.to/3Ust3MT
Lens: amzn.to/3WXbAhd
All Amazon links are affiliate links. The channel earns a commission from each purchase - but it doesn't cost you anything.

[@shubhranilnag5982]

For me, keeping commonplace books has worked the best, because i get too hung up on structure and organisation and pretty pages (like with bullet journaling). I keep two commonplace books, one digital one analog, one for keeping quotes and infos and one for deep thinking Happy New year!

[@_jared]

This has also been my experience. When I'm able to just write, without much regard for structure, I get much more out of it.

[@kittmarie8285]

Could you explain 'commonplace books'? thanks.

[@shubhranilnag5982]

@@kittmarie8285 commonplace books are originally meant for jotting down pieces of information you come across which you might need later, like good quotes or anecdotes etc, but the best thing about commonplace books is that it doesnt 'have' to be something definitive, without structure, so you can pretty much write anything down ! great place to start for journaling

[@linguafiles_]

@@kittmarie8285 A lot of people use them to write down quotes that particularly strike them while reading.

[@jmaldo1215]

@@kittmarie8285 Jared made a great video on commonplace books! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZSlqpKYlJlmmZI

[@ailinkawa]

One thing that make me stick with writing is having an ugly journal. It's a trashy notebook I didn't end up using for uni. I tear up pages, I paint them, I destroy, doodle, stick silly things. Not having a pretty, fancy journal relief the pressure of having to write pretty and not make mistakes. I really recommend it :)

[@ayla8345]

I do this too but every time I open my ugly journal I wish I had a pretty one. But usually when I write I’m anxious or depressed so in the moment I don’t care how the pages or my handwriting look. My journal is a wreck but I wish I had one of those pretty, neat ones 😭

[@casm.4155]

same! I have used nicer journals before but I find that I'm the most intense and honest with it when I'm using a plain 99c composition book.

[@Rogerdude899]

Nice! I’m the opposite, when I have an ugly journal I am less tempted to write in it than when I have a nicer one. It because a whole ritual. That and having a nice pen too!

[@feellikecinderellanaegabye8524]

I noticed this too because I started to write way more in my journal when it was just a random writting book tht was so old and had teared papers here and there and looked mudy lmao maybe it truly relived the pressure of writting neat and keeping it beautiful

[@user-6290]

Yeahh I do that same thing and I feel more chill about the mistakes I've made while journalling. The book I'm using for journalling is filled with miscellaneous things such as my doodle, reminder, to do list, n tips n tricks.

[@NikodemHild]

The timeline at the bottom of the video is quick innovative and cool!

[@_jared]

Thanks - glad you liked it

[@unattendedcandle]

I noticed this too! Super cool thing!

[@DanBanan69]

I disagree. I like to skip ahead to a chapter if the current one isn''t relevant to me, and here the future chapters are extremely hard to see and impossible to read, until you've watched half the chapter already. Also, the "normal" timeline disappears when you remove the cursor, this one is embedded in the video the whole way, which I personally didn't like. Just my two cents. Edit: This video turns out to be a great example, because what I really wanted to know was if there are any good digital tools, and his experience with both analog and digital. That chapter happens to be the last one, and I had no idea it was there because I couldn't see it. If I saw it, it would have saved me some time flicking randomly through the video, listening for mentions on this.

[@NikodemHild]

@@DanBanan69 ok

[@focused_morning]

From a user experience perspective, it’s not helpful and serves no purpose to have the slow reveal of the topics. It’s a cool effect at best, and kudos for making it, but idk that it adds value to the videos and it breaks some users way of watching as mentioned above. Your content, on the other hand, is very good.

[@caedengoering]

Another of my all time favorite (but very intense method) is to set and timer and not pause for 10 minutes. Literally do not stop writing for any reason for 10 minutes. This was recommended by Matthew Dicks for storytelling. If you run out of thoughts - start writing colors or numbers. Eventually that will pivot you to a brand new story or experience. I was really shocked by the variety of stories that came out. Some I’d even completely forgotten about. Some were deeply personal and vulnerable. Others were silly. Especially if you’re seeking experiences to tell stories about, or you’re writing and autobiography. It’s a great way to tell your story.

[@liezart-9502]

i used to do this in an english class in elementary, it was my favorite part of the week. might have to pick it back up

[@caedengoering]

@@liezart-9502 it’s been really helpful. Especially when you’re overwhelmed.

[@giselle5368]

we had to do this in my creative writing class. if anyone is to start this i would say they should start with a smaller time like 3 minutes and build up to the ten. but i found this a really fun process

[@caedengoering]

@@giselle5368 great advice! 10 minutes can be a lot to start. The time is not nearly as important as the practice itself.

[@caprese63]

this is really smart i'll try it out! thanks ;)

[@AndLifeGoesBy]

The beauty of journaling is that there's no restriction in what to journal. You could recap the best moments of your day, you could do an annual review, you could reflect on failures, you could write bullet points about interesting observations of your surroundings, you could even journal about your job and what you learnt in school that day. And since you're writing in your own voice, you tend to remember what you wrote very clearly.

[@Tgspartnership]

bollocks. its the exact opposite for me

[@aeqqustic2374]

For the people that are not in the headspace to write, just openning the diary and writing "nothing" it is valid, useful and an honest journaling experience.

[@Foxiesz]

Huh I like that idea, personally I get a bit too hung up on trying to be consistent and have an entry everyday but I get blocked cause sometimes I have nothing to say. I think I'll try this

[@BlockheadJiujitsu]

Great call. I just commit to writing 2 lines about what happened recently.

[@K.114.]

Me too ​@@Foxiesz

[@pula8833]

I started journaling about a year ago because a therapist once said I live too much in my head, she suggested that I tried paying more attention to the world in my day-to-day life and writing down things I noticed, and it honestly helped, because then I started paying attention to what was making me feel how I feel, so it's also a place for venting. I started it by free writing on my laptop then I got a binder and I fill it with as many pages I need, I also enjoy punching holes on paper

[@Lotus_texhs]

I have this same issue. i tend to spend more time thinking than actually experiencing life. I'm definitely gonna try to discipline myself with journaling so that i can mitigate this issue.

[@silvercomet2245]

I think I should try that. I hv a bad habit of living too much in my head. Could you give further details?

[@Oldnose63]

@@silvercomet2245 my experienced tip would be: start free writing about whatever is flowing in your head. Do not worry about analogue or digital in the beginning, just make it comfortable for you as you could find you really have a lot to write. Just dump it. Start with only 1 rule: After writing reread what you wrote and reflect on what the situations you wrote about mean to you. And write that down too. In the proces you’ll find out what works best for you: -the moment of the day to write -the tools you need -how you use your journal This can change over time but that’s ok. You only have 1 rule: reflecting.

[@bambayangan]

omg same i enjoy punching holes on papers too!

[@ichbindoofhihi1]

I was very intimated at first because I was in a very bad mental state like a year ago and I just started with doodling. Just drawing without thinking basically and writing some words if you want to. I am a horrible drawer but now looking back at them I still know what I meant by most of them, even if it were just abstract lines. So that maybe helps!

[@queenbuzybee4074]

That’s really good advice! I hope your mental state has been improving since then!

[@ichbindoofhihi1]

@@queenbuzybee4074 way better! Thank you!

[@patriciadavison1486]

I cannot imagine a day in my life without having one of my ‘zillion’ (!) journals with me, or near to me. I began at age 7 years and I am now 70 years. I’m a lover of stationary, pens, papers, beautiful Journals, etc,. Must have been a scribe in a previous life! My journal is my best friend, my listener, my constant companion and my exploration buddy in every single aspect of my life on this planet. The best stress buster available and great for anxiety too. I go nowhere without a Journal. It’s the best place to keep memories , worries, concerns, observations, etc and give your brain a rest too (put stuff on the page and not in your inner filing system!). Great video - I really enjoyed all that you said and suggested. Thank You 🙂

[@carmellarkin4803]

We have a lot in common!

[@NithyaShantiNow]

I use a journaling method called “In the sphere of silence” which is a one hour date with oneself. It involves reflection, planning, visioning, reading, summarizing and silence.

[@mrfredbasset]

Something that also helps a lot to keep up with the habit of journaling often when you think "I have nothing to write about" is to have a list of journal prompts that you can pick from to get you started

[@CH-sk7jr]

“Micro-journaling” can also be helpful for beginners or those who have struggled with keeping up a habit of journaling! Grab a notebook (or Word document for those who have negative associations with a physical journal and the stress of trying to perfectly perform a journaling habit - there is no shame at all in changing formats to make a practice more accessible for your mental health!). In that notebook/document, write *as little as you want to* when you happen to want to write. It can be one line, one paragraph, one page, or whatever you choose for that moment. It doesn’t have to be every day. It can be multiple times a day. It’s just what works for you to be able to write down what you’re thinking or feeling in a given moment, or what you want to remember for the future. This process allows you to get comfortable with the routine and action of journaling over time, enabling your brain to approach the practice without the pressure of a daily habit or the expectation of a long, grandiose entry every time you sit down to write. Since it’s a similar amount of effort to typing a text/Tweet/post/etc., this “micro-journaling” method helps a lot of folks escape the artificial pressure of “perfectly journaling” and allows them to embrace a practice that’s beneficial to their long-term health (when done in a way that actually works for them). It also tends to open the floodgates and make writing more appealing on the whole. Would recommend!

[@totally_not_a_bot]

In my journal, I write the date, then whatever. If I feel inclined the include the time, cool. If I don't, cool. I only write the date once, and I don't bother with starting on a fresh page. I have one entry that is two sentences updating on an immediate concern I had the night before. That was my day. I have other entries that take most of a page. I had a lot to process. I'm thinking about throwing a habit tracker in, but we shall see. I'm not inclined to start adding charts and graphs and whatever nonsense online personalities are pushing. Also, neat handwriting be damned. If I'm writing for someone else, I'm typing. My journal is for me, not my camera.

[@Lotus_texhs]

I kinda do that now. i record my emotions on my calender on my phone daily and keep track of what happened that day. Sometimes i'll put a sentence in the notes to explain and it relieves me from having to write out EVERY. SINGLE. THING. thats happened for that day. Sometimes i get overwhelmed and i end up feeling those feelings all over again when the entire point of me journaling is to release those repressed feelings. I didn't know this had a name, so thanks for commenting this.

[@monika.71]

Was only thinking about doing this as I embark on starting my journaling......again! I am just going to write the date in red and then whatever underneath. If I write something in the morning then something in the arvo etc, then that's great. When I note take at work I also just jots notes all over the page, not in line underneath each other. I circle bits and underline others. I am going to take this approach in my journaling. If I see a quote I like, I will write it on the side of the page, not directly underneath. I am going to be less constrictive and less perfect in the journalling.

[@guntz-nga]

For me, freewriting works wonders! I just write everything that's in my head - it's like my anxious thoughts are not in me anymore, they're in my journal. I write it everyday right before going to bed, but I need to write on something that has a keyboard. Hate writing on my phone and a real physical journal simply isn't for me. Since I started journaling I just stopped one time for a month and my life just got messier and messier - I then realized how important journaling was for me and never stopped since then.

[@user-uw7mh4pk1i]

Another thing that works for me, I write with Pen in CAPITAL LETTERS. Because it slows me down enough to try to hold a single thought long enough to write a sentence in all Caps. Some people say they write as fast as they can, but I just find I get more good stuff out of my jumble of thoughts when I slow it down and put it in all caps and pen and ink. But that's just me.

[@thenubianreview]

Everything in my life has a journal, and the more I explore there the more journals to fill. Currently, I have 2 commonplace journals, and my daily journal I use them every day! Recently I started a journal for all my pet family. Being an owner of eight other beings has me motivated to take more pictures and document the moments. In total I use 10 different journals to document specific events in my life, it has become a labor of love and I'm able to share my story with my children and loved ones. I encourage people to journal even if it's just drawings it's a reflection of where you are or were in a space in time.

[@robertmoore2049]

I’ve been journaling for around four years on an almost daily basis and it has been extremely beneficial for me. I’ve found out that writing freehand (just with pen and a notebook) is much better for me when expressing ideas or thoughts about life in general. Journaling is therapeutic. What a life changing habit if done on a constant basis! I cannot recommend it enough! Happy New Year!

[@Tgspartnership]

i've been writing diaries for just over a century and i am now in a effing wheelchair

[@minja7777]

Chaotic journaling with collecting ideas, favorite things, quotes, and writing about my journey to healthier me and manifesting pages, collages, drawings etc. Anything but "Dear diary today I went to the grocery store" - stuff 😄 It has helped me to collect ideas and to see my progress

[@welpsy0546]

same and its so much more fun to read later. it really captures what you feel at that moment in your life

[@rlinden4]

I'm a psych prof about to retire after 40 plus years of teaching. Journaling feels right to me now as I transition to this new phase in my life. Thank you! The commonplace approach combined with a deep dive feels right to me. I'm going to begin there. Definitely analogue for me. The paper, pen, etc. makes my heart sing.

[@chloew4ffl3s]

I'm personally a fan of having a bullet journal for structure, productivity, and creativity (I draw and decorate my bujo) and then having a free writing journal for my thoughts and feelings or funny/memorable moments of the day. I don't use my free writing journal every single day but my bujo is usually at least opened and used for trackers everyday. Before I started journaling I couldn't keep track of everything in life and I would get overwhelmed easily. The act of writing things down and color coding tasks helps me so much. Writing about a really good day or a really bad day and unpacking that on paper helps me to unload those thoughts and feelings; I don't hold onto them and carry them around like I would before.

[@luizappicanco]

I’ve tried journaling all my life and always failed until the beginning of 2022. This time I decide to keep a simple reading journal and actually commit to it. I basically write the name of the book, author and date, followed by a brief summary of the text and my thoughts on it (Did I like the book? Why?). I slowed down mid-october, but I managed to write a short “review” for practically every book I read this year and I already bought a notebook for 2023. It’s amazing the amount of things you can find out about yourself by writing notes on what you read. My top 5 were: 1) I’m annoyed by books/characters that explain themselves too much, but like it when they break the “forth wall”; 2) When it comes to writing female characters, I’m more critical of female authors (probably cause I expect more from them/underestimate male writers); 3) I like middle grade novels even more as an adult (oh sweet nostalgia); 4) The type of format I read depends on the book (ex.: for first person narrators, I tend to listen to audiobooks); 5) I would like to read more poetry. It takes some time to get into it, but I hight recommend reading journals for anyone who wants to start writing more.

[@Tgspartnership]

good. me too. i hate writing my thoughts. nearly always complete gibberish

[@markqurf]

I love the end where you mention “to take the time to reflect and think about the pros and cons of each system” because I feel like that’s a missing vital part of these types of videos. Its all an individual process and you can’t have someone tell you whats best for you, you gotta take time and reflect on yourself.

[@esmeraytv]

i started a journal in may 2021. i freewrite, scribble,draw,glue stuff in. it has been so therapeutic and helped so much as someone who doesn't have access to mental health resources

[@mariaeddycesario3067]

It helped me in my teen years, when I felt lonely, ugly, and had no one trustful enough to tell what I was feeling. A simple notebook (it was the 70's), a pen and radio to listen to my favorite songs.

[@sevincaydogan]

my method is apparently freewriting and i've been keeping a journal/diary since i was 12, for more than 13 years. i believe what made me stick with it is that i write whenever i want to. sometimes i don't write for days, sometimes i write multiple times a day, and sometimes i write 5 pages in one sitting and sometimes i just write one short sentence. no restrictions, no rules. i don't view it as a task to be completed, so i can stick with it easily without getting intimidated by the idea of it. maybe this could help someone too. 🥺

[@emilybrown7485]

Bros, I love journaling. It helps me feel so much less stressed about my life and more comfortable in my mind. I started a planner in high school when I had like five overdue assignments and from there I just had a really great experience. My advice to anyone who wants to start journaling, or anyone who has done it for a while, is to not get stuck in a specific structure. There are planning, recording and reflecting sides in journaling, and there are benefits to every form of doing them. Do whatever form you like when you feel like it and then I think you'll have a great time.

[@denisei5367]

I journal daily in a physical book to record the happenings of the day…as a memory keeper. I also journal digitally, password-protected, so I can unload my true feelings without worrying about someone else reading it. If there is ANY chance of someone else reading it….I won’t feel free to be brutally honest. ( doesn’t matter if someone ever actually reads it or not) I have to journal daily. That is my ME-time. My chance to examine my life. Give myself validation or question my perspective on matters etc. If a day or two goes by and I haven’t journaled for some reason, then I am not myself. ( I love pens and paper too!)

[@NedasFlanderas]

For those who has psychological problems like anxiety or even insomnia, I would recommend to write before (or at least 1-2 hours before) sleep, but use the second person voice when you write about yourself. It means that in stead of saying "I feel" you write "you feel". Then it becomes conversation with yourself. Also, write without thinking too much, like freewriting. It really helps to collect and spill out all thoughts and have more clear head before going to bed. (of course, you can use the first person voice too, if it feels better for you.)

[@captainprincess5943]

I love this idea! Thank you!

[@robmeyer7985]

Should I start a journal/diary? Don't even start until you answer question #1: Why do I want to journal? You need a sustainable reason. To demonstrate your virtuosity to future generations? (Bad reason) So I can later see how I've developed over the years? (A little frightening) To guide my progeny? (Hmm...) If you find a good answer, go to question #2: What do I have to say? Don't be too hard on yourself. You have more worthwhile to say than you think. Start with little unrelated vignettes of things that impressed you or events that were important to you. You don't have to write War and Peace for a journal to be valuable. Oh, and whether to analog with pen or digitize? Do both. Write by hand to personalize it and later scan multiple pages to preserve or even self publish for relatives. Good luck.

[@Sharonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn]

I don’t know if you can count it as journaling, but this what I do: everyday before I go to sleep, I write three positive things about myself and three positive things that has happened that day. The notebook that I have let me write on one page for three days (if you know what I mean :)). The positive things can be written in one/two sentences, whatever suits you. Not only is it giving me a good feeling before I go to sleep, it really motivates me to do it since it is a minimum work! Only thing I use are a notebook, pencil and a small flashlight (so that I dont have to walk to turn off the light :D) and i keep it all under my pillow. I started this when I was at my lowest point aka June 2020. I am now writing in my second notebook! I love reading back what happened at certain days. This is a suggestion that I wanna give and hopefully it inspires others as well :))

[@bokebynding]

I am inspired. Thank you.

[@lackof548]

Isn’t there a danger of the pencil getting stuck in your ear or poking you in the eye during the night while you’re sleeping?

[@nefertitimontoya]

This sounds like an incredible idea for me to potentially alter my self talk

[@clover2569]

I've been journaling since I was 8 years old. I started because I just thought the idea of having a journal sounded fun lmao. So I started, and I've never stopped. As I've gotten older it's become more of a constant and regular thing, but it's fun. I feel like when I'm journalling I'm connecting back with every version of myself who've journaled before and it makes me so happy :) it's lovely to have all of my childhood thoughts written between covers, it's fun to pull them out and laugh about certain entries with friends and refer to exactly how I was feeling about events as I was experiencing them. It's like a fun little library of me :) Something I thought I'd add is if you have a printer filling your journal with things that you love and pictures of memories from that time can really add a lot of fun to the journalling process.

[@MsOudlover]

I agree with you Jared. I've been journaling for 48 years, since i was 9 years old. During a hurricane I lost all my books, about 35 years worth of journals. I still maintain paper journals because that's how I think best. I'd never use a computer to journal even after my horrible experience.

[@AnaLuiza-dm2mz]

I first started journaling during quarantine when my mental health was shit and I couldn’t express myself to anyone cause my main problem was actually with communication; I kinda stopped doing it for like 5 months and I’ve recently started again cause I missed it so much! Starting journaling was honestly one of my best decisions in life, it really helps to get out of art blocks and avoid constant anxiety crisis.

[@medeaxiv]

I started journaling, free-writes reflecting on my day and self-reflection, in my teens; but it didn't really stick until about three years ago, when my therapist gave me "homework", a prompt to follow each day-- one thing that made me smile, another that made me frown. That was extremely helpful to induce me to think very particularly (critically?) about my life in a simple way. For me at least, I think that a really important issue to consider in journaling concerns how honest you're willing to be with yourself *about* yourself. I haven't tried the other methods than freewriting, but I really appreciated learning about them!

[@nddragoon]

as someone getting started with bullet journaling, i think it's great cause it's extremely flexible so you can adjust it to whatever you need, while still having enough of a basic structure that you can stay organized. it really tickles my brain.

[@user-uw7mh4pk1i]

Another thing I did , I bought a whole case of notebooks from Walmart and a ton of pens. I leave a notebook in the car. I leave 4 different ones on my kitchen counter. And I keep a work log at my work desk which is pretty low one finished pages and blank pages these days as I slack off and recover from a nasty divorce. But buying a whole case of notebooks and just making a mess of them was a good way to start. Keeping note books scattered around, oh yeah, one in my hiking pack too... and a piece of paper in my pocket and a pen when I go to the bar and there is no one to talk with. When I write an entry, I note the date, time of day and location I am in and just write whatever comes to mind. Sometimes emotional, sometimes in a logical form. I also kept a journal in a time of day form where I note what I did and then I score my mood, energy level or whatever metric I am studying. You can discover your mood and energy before and after eating or working out or whatever you do. I discovered coffee was giving me anxiety by doing this and quit.

[@CChesnik]

I actually started with a gratitude journal, writing 5 things I was thankful for, and really built a daily practice. Now I do that and freewriting a few days a week in a separate journal. I am now interested in trying a commonplace book.

[@DrewSprague1218]

I've been journaling for almost 3 months, everyday (sometimes multiple times a day) I'll sit down and free write. It's been extremely helpful for my mental health. I'm far less anxious and depressed since starting a freewriting journal. I also keep a bullet journal of sorts where I track daily habits (did I take my medications, how many times did I drink water).

[@benjaminbohannon4432]

The Commonplace Book + Free-Writing Hybrid Method sounds really enticing. I have been collecting thoughts here and there in my Notes App, but I've been thinking about starting a journal for more in depth reflection. Thanks for the insight, Jared. It's nice to have a community of like-minded individuals, regardless of it being online.

[@cuttlesquish6723]

Personally, I had to think of bullet journaling the other way around (as a journal more than a productivity tool) before it started working for me. Rapid logging, quickly noting things throughout the day, works way better for me than trying to recall after the fact and condense it into phrasing that makes sense. Micro-journaling, sorta. But now with the realization that there are no rules, I like to throw in free writing or reading reflections or even some commonplace practices wherever and whenever I feel like it.

[@shoto42]

One thing that made start to actually use my journal from what originally was to write my thoughts and feelings but never actually stocked to it was finding out that I could write all the little short stories I had in my head along with the notes from my Current book I’m writing. I initially started this goal by writing a short story every day for seven days and it worked and I found this weird short story that I really liked and later is now the story I’m working on. Right now it’s used for me to write ideas down for the book while I’m writing like how can I add this into the book or how could I do this better while not having me keep the idea in my head for me to forget or taking my focus away from the google doc I have up. I carry it with me everywhere, have a little pocket for it in my backpack so that I always have access to it. It’s very useful as it really does allow me to write down the story or idea without pulling up something digital which I will forget later.

[@noahcraven]

I didn’t know it was called a commonplace book! I’ve been keeping one in my notes app on my phone for around 2 years now, I absolutely adore it.

[@KetchupCanvas]

I love to combine art and journaling together! I use words for the things I can articulate in language, and art for the parts that are more abstract (like how a person rips up a piece of paper when they are angry, only the drawing equivalent) 💖 I've been journaling for years for mental health improvement and creative reasons, and doing so in longhand form is so much more cathartic for me than if I use a computer. Thanks for the great video! You've definitely gained a subscriber!

[@plaidsnails3755]

I started Journaling around my first year of college when my philosophy professor assigned it as hw. I have the same book and write on it whenever I feel overwhelmed or anxious. It's such a vulnerable place for me. It's been 5 years now and have moved onto notion where I keep a common place book, a dream analysis book, a to do list, my goals for the future, etc. I love the app because I can write from almost any device. I also keep a different journal where anything goes for my more creative side :)

[@nsavch]

I really like the freewriting method, it feels so natural and having no restrictions is quite helpful to lift all anxiety issues, the text just flows from my mind to the page, so delightful. I can't imagine how I would fill, say, a five year journal, having just a tiny space for each entry feels like a nightmare. I'm trying bullet journal this year, I really hope that it's not that restrictive and will allow me to mix freewriting with structured entries, task tracking and indexing. Hope bujo indexing will help me to navigate through the old entries (the main problem you mentioned about freewriting is bugging me hard). Thanks for the video and tips!

[@joshuafallaize7115]

I started to keep a journal a few months ago and I’m really starting to see the benefits, It has vastly improved my clarity of thought and allows me to better understand the more complicated and abstract philosophy’s. Thank you so much for introducing me to the idea and furthuring my understanding of journaling with such a great video.

[@gregoryknight2928]

I've been journaling off and on for nearly 40 years. Some periods of my life it was daily, sometimes more than once a day. In other periods it was sporadic. Every now and then a year or more -- never more than 2 years. As I've gotten older it's not so much the day to day observations I journal about. The last few years have been more journaling about my dreams and their intensity, their locale - recurring or not, the people in them, etc... I've also taken to noting the phase of the moon at the beginning of the entry. To try to understand the patterns and rhythms in my dreams. I love the idea of the reflections journal. Reflecting on what you read. In my seminary years, I used to do that with scripture. Now I am fascinated by consciousness and the interconnectivity of it all and the esoteric and celestial. So a beautiful sunset or rise of the Pleiades in the eastern sky or Orion, etc... is more apt to spark my journaling and pondering. I tend to use the blank journal books from Barnes and Noble or other bookstores. My favorite phase in life so far was from 2007 to 2011 when the journal I used was one with a cover of psychedelic skulls on them. Ironically, it coincided with my cancer treatment journey for ocular melanoma and so the theme of the cover sort of foreshadowed the theme of entering mid life with this cancer journey and the questions that arise from that. Thanks for a great topic and episode.

[@Rebecca-xw4ji]

For as long as I can remember I've kept a journal, but a few years ago, it became an (almost) daily habit (I miss some days once in awhile, but it's so ingrained in me now that I can get right back into it), and I love seeing how far I've come from where I had been when I first started writing.

[@Nona-vp7mw]

Thank you for such a structured and straight forward video. Morning pages helped my busy brain since my childhood, and during rough times guided journaling was an amazing tool for me to heal.

[@lulursls]

This year I bought a weekly agenda and in the weekly spreadsheet I'm writing like a short overview of my day, feelings, or whatever's on my mind. The agenda also has a lot of pages for notes, so I'm using that if I ever want to write more but don't have enough space, and also using it for common placing and therapy-oriented notes. I just recently started journaling more consistently because I have bad memory issues. Great video!

[@laurameszaros9547]

Great video, thanks. Lots of good ideas. Reading reflections are definitely productive. I'm a journaller, intermittent for many years, but keen to make it a regular practice. And for me it's always been paper and fountain pens. I like to keep "rough" journals, where my immediate thoughts land, and then decant them into a more permanent format, since I find this gives me the opportunity to reflect on and "hone" those first thoughts and the way in which I express them.

[@johnclifford5252]

Last year, I started journaling but not consistent. This year, I will start again because of this video. It may help on my journaling adventure. Thank you, Jared.

[@silviacontini2424]

I thank KZbin for putting this video on my path! Maybe this is the sign I needed to finally get started 🤞🏻

[@nrinka]

I started journaling and I love it so much. I also do the morning pages as well. Usually, I have no idea how to start, but before I know It, my pen can't stop writing.Then my evening journal is where I make sense of my day, emotions, introspect, write about the book I read or currently reading etc. What helped me was actually purchasing a nice book that makes me want to write in it lol. It is this leather bound antique looking book that feels so good to write in.

[@spiciestbutler158]

I’ve been journaling for a year now and i found that freehand writing and commonplace books work the best for me. I tend to have a lot of random thoughts that branch off into deeper topics so i use sticky notes as my commonplace book and place them in my journal. I will write whenever i have something on my mind but it really isnt very regimented its just whenever im in the mood. Fantastic video by the way!

[@AikiraBeats]

I love doing free writing journaling. It’s simple and effective. I’m able to jot down anything that comes to mind. I use every page as a reflection page so that I can see over time how I’ve changed as a person. It’s so cool seeing the new ideas and concepts that I’ve learned throughout the week.

[@etrain8885]

I buy these nifty little memo books called Field Notes and I’ve been journaling in them for years and years. The form factor of a notebook can be so intimidating, and the Field Notes are just so compact and so easy to fill that it’s made journaling a joy. Thanks for the great video, Jared!

[@Eduardordzso]

Great tips! I have been journaling for more than a decade now. I write in a physical notebook (love me some fountain pen action) and then type the same entry into my journaling app (Day One; got it back in the day, so it doesn’t carry the subscription cost). That way I get the best of two worlds: slowing down and enjoying the writing process, and digital backup with convenience to write at any moment.

[@leeeev19]

I love this thank you! I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal. Each day I write 2-3 good things that happened to me or what I’m thankful for and on Sunday I free write and that’s been working for me to be more positive.

[@criscrisler8604]

I am committed to analog journaling. I love the feel of pen/pencil on good paper. I love the tactile coupled with the intellectual. I am not a calligrapher, but, as a retired elementary school teacher, I taught handwriting for years and enjoy the look of either/or manuscript of cursive letters on a page. For me it offers a physical discipline as a frame for the mental discipline of writing. The added benefit of writing pen to paper is the emotional honesty revealed by the handwriting on a certain page read in reflection.

[@animalcrackers8880]

I love your channel. As someone trying to get back into writing (especially journaling-I’ve started a few for different things) and reading, your videos have been very helpful to me. I used to journal daily from about 6-16. My mother was often obsessive and unkind, and began to read my journals and messages to my friend when I was 14 onward. I tried moving my journals to Xanga (earlier 00’s) and she read those too. She’d corner me and yell in my face about what I’d write. Anything but happiness was unacceptable. I could go on, but I think that’s all I need to say. I’ll be 32 in a few days and I’m determined to get back to journaling. It helped my memory, writing skills, reading comprehension, empathy, processing, the list goes on. I’ve tried many times over the years to get back into it, but I’ve felt literally ill and scared of writing again. I normally throw away or delete everything I start. Going to utilize some ideas here to get started again. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@peoplesperson8]

Morning pages is amazing! Just had to put that here

[@WtfGamer65]

I really liked your takes on journaling. For three or four months now I've been writing on paper some short stories I share with my close friends, and I have found that taking my time to write a word on paper, with the limitations of no backspace or editing, makes me feel "real" and "present" if that makes sense.

[@christianbinayan3]

Analog writing in my case makes me less vulnerable to experiencing psychosis. I'm also starting in the tech industry as a developer, so writing down my thoughts at the end of the day makes me feel more connected to reality. It helps me be centered around my own thoughts and actions, rather than me being controlled by the oversaturation of content on the internet. Anyway, this is a really great video and you just gained a new sub! 👌

[@willowmae.citrine]

I have a journal from Michaels and I try to have the habit of writing in it every day. I glue little notes from throughout my day, I talk about kind interactions I've had that day. I especially us it for just writing down random thoughts and poetry. But one of the main reasons I do it is because I want something to look back at and be proud of. Great video

[@MexAm120902]

I really enjoyed this video. Thank you for making it. I´ve kept journals in all kinds of ways too numerous to mention here for 42 years. Journaling has kept me sane. It´s helped me make big decisions. It´s helped me grow up. It´s helped me understand myself, my life, and my place in the world. It´s helped me learn things (languages other than English). Keeping a journal is one of the best habits a person can develop.

[@duncanphyfe5454]

I've been journaling for a while now and I've settled upon a combination of free writing and reading reflections for the most part but I also go through and examine my day and how my emotions and thoughts reacted to events throughout the day I found it helps a lot with mental health. I also keep a separate common place and do both in the analog

[@peggymccright1358]

Thanks for sharing this video. I have journaled most of my life. I now keep a bullet journal of sorts to keep my days organized but also a gratitude journal that often becomes free thoughts. At this time of year I like to reread my gratitude journal and see if I have made any personal progress. I have enjoyed your videos immensely! Keep on being you.

[@fernanda2059]

For some time now I've been thinking about journaling, a week ago I bought a beautiful vintage-style notebook and I think its perfect for it, thank you for this video! every tip you gave is helpful✨️

[@LoLo1k2k3k]

When i watched your commonplace book video i finally started actually “journaling”. i relate so much to your love of writing (i’m obsessed with physical media in general! and i love handwriting!!) i deleted my social media apps off my phone in august and i desperately needed an outlet for my many many many thoughts on random shit. and now i’ve sorta created my own structure (i’m not consistent/organised enough for it to be a real ‘journal’ but it’s still mine) and it’s such a cute lil book i love it so much lolol oh and i genuinely feel like a much better/more confident writer in school because of it!

[@lovecraftwithme]

This is one of the most beautiful conversations I've found on KZbin. Thank you. You speak beautifully, thoughtfully and have lovely insights and advice. This has really helped me find my way with my own journalling methods. Thank you for taking the time and energy to share this, it is much appreciated.

[@MilkyWayTea]

Great video, thank you for sharing! I realize I have been using a combination of these techniques via analog journaling for over a decade :) I found everything you said, especially diving into the specific types of journaling/mixed with your own thoughts about them, to still be extremely insightful and inspired me to get a brand new journal today because I am most certainly due for one. xx

[@my88110]

Great ideas! I’ve never tried some of these ideas. I often write out thoughts from the day etc. and then write a poem that is loosely related to those thoughts. Another good idea for starting to journal if your stuck is writing the same word or phrase over and over again until your mind is clear.

[@aidangates2745]

I can't wait to start! Just bought a white moleskin (my favorite journal brand so far). Thank you for helping me grow and integrate my intellectual and practical sides of my life together

[@amenity7678]

personally. irregular journaling is what lifts the pressure and gives me all of the benefits of regular journaling. it is like a therapy. great video!

[@frankieproud496]

So, I have actually been watching journaling videos because for some reason I do actually find them interesting and inspiring. The fact that all these people talk about the same thing in such a different way is just fascinating. Everyone really is different. This brings me on to the point I wanted to make. I was watching a particular video in which the KZbinr was challenging herself to follow Virginia wolfs journaling structure for thirty days but I ended up taking more away then what I initially thought I would. She was struggling to keep up with the challenge and so switched to more descriptive challenges. She would describe her room. But the activity I will definitely remember is the one she called sprinting. You take a word prompt, set a timer and just write. It allows for more freedom and let’s you just write. Simple as that. But after talking about this, she mentioned figurative writing. Now back in school when we would criticise and analyse books, we would look at how what was wrote is from the perspective of the character. And yet this KZbinr highlighted that the narrator is in fact the author. They are the same person and so what’s written was written by the author. She spoke about how a simple phrase “the bus was yellow like a daisy” does in fact reveal something about the author. Because daisy is a flower, there are connotations of spring and joy. The author my have a more positive look on life than an author who might have wrote “the bus was yellow like the tape you see warning you not to cross into a crime scene” these authors are very different with different outlooks. Different life’s.

[@bishibower1205]

I love handwritten journals when it comes to this. Every one has a special handwriting style. You can not show this through digital journals and that makes me feel the words on yhe screen are not my own. I also found that my mood changes the way I write. It is fun to look back and instantly know I wrote this entry when I was happy or sad just by spacing and how neat I write.

[@coolbrotherf127]

I have just gotten into journaling recently and what seems to work for me is a bullet journal style notebook, but with 2 pages dedicated to my thoughts of the month. I'm not partially long winded when it comes to my entries so I don't need entire pages to get my thoughts out. I'll just add to my thoughts pages as I become inspired to write something, after keeping track of other stuff in my bullet journal. That allows me to contribute without feeling the guilt of missing a day or two.

[@bdinaravideo]

Thank you for your video! I've just finished a year long journal. Writing an entry every day has become a habit and now my life feels a bit empty without it. I was inspired by the idea of reading reflection. Quoting books, reflecting on their meaning, adding sketches and more - it sounds fun. I'll try this method. Thank you again!

[@victorialecocq2610]

i find it refreshing, I've been doing journaling for couple months now and it helps to keep my thoughts at bay

[@strider-td4rw]

This is a very timely video for me because I've been thinking about this a lot. I kept a Bullet Journal in 2022 and found it useful but like you, I benefited most from just free writing or just word vomiting on paper. But I like the bullet journal as a tool, and sometimes write long-form reflections in it as well. What I'm trying this year is to use one journal as a bullet journal/commonplace book system, where I just use an index to mark sections for specific books or sections for monthly/weekly tasks/plans. And I'll have another notebook where I just write as much as I want with no regard for structure.

[@arianna4244]

I love journaling! I personally do it about once or twice a week, just when I have to clear my thoughts. When I want to reflect about something which happened in my life that maybe made me question my morality or that upset me, I simply start writing freehand. Loved the video xx

[@charlottemusser5484]

Excellent presentation, well thought out. My first experience in journaling was a classroom assignment in 8th grade English - I hated it - could never think of anything to write and was not excited about someone else reading it. I've tried different types of journaling. I'm currently trying to get back into the habit of journaling every day. I tried keeping a commonplace and daily journal separately but it felt too overwhelming so now I just combine them. Analog is my preferred method, no stopping because the computer pointed out spelling or grammar errors. I agree with your comment about Analog making you slow down. Everyone has to find their own way and it often takes starting-stopping-starting again, repeat, to find what's best for you.

[@bahort]

I have recent returned to journaling. I love getting away from the keyboard and I have found a great deal of pleasure by combining my journaling with a newly found fountain pen hobby. Honestly, fountain pens came first and led to my return to journalling. Anyone that uses fountain pens will tell you the experience is just different from using a ballpoint or jell pen. While a lot of my journalling is in the "reading reflection" group, I think a personal history or stories from our lives is another place for journals, especially for those who haven't kept a regular journal in the past. A person may have not been a journal writer on 11 September 2001, but anyone who remembers the day will have a story to tell about it and the aftermath.

[@fridaserrano6611]

I've been jounaling on and off since 2015 and I can say that when I do stick to it, it takes a huge load of my mind and anxiety throughout the day and It's wonderful. I do prefer to use pen and paper since for me it feels more intentional than typing, it just makes me be really present with what I'm putting down since I don't have the facility of hitting the back space key. I've tried a couple of the ones you mentioned and I agree with what you said about restriction that some methods have, I believe some days you have a lot to say and some you don't and that's totally fine. Great video and Happy New Year!

[@professor_x85]

Journaling is great! I've been writing in one now for about 5 years now. It's helped with gathering my thoughts on different subjects and with articulation.

[@ProfessorBurlingame]

Love this advice. As an educator, I use writing as a teaching tool because it is a form of thinking and reflection important in the learning process. I give freewriting (a term I also use) assignments with prompts that I ask my students to write in analog form because it connects what they're writing more closely to their brain and their thinking. Journaling is such a powerful tool for anyone to use (inside or outside of a classroom) for self-improvement and as a support for mental and emotional health.

[@ichbindoofhihi1]

The timeline overlay is awesome! Never seen it like this, very creative!

[@askNatasha82]

I use the morning pages as a way to quiet the “ADHD” mind that I seem to now have at 40. I find that journaling before bed & waking up to write morning pages not only manages my anxiety but also streamlines the chaos of thought that floods my mind before I even open my eyes.

[@charlesbarrowbooks]

Hi, I'm pleased that I found your channel. I'm an analogue writer, though completely agree that one downside of this is the difficulty in tracking down something I wrote last week/month/whenever. If I hadn't watched this I wouldn't have realised I employ a mixture of Morning Pages, Bullet Journaling, and a Commonplace Book (never even heard that term before), so no wonder I can never find that bright idea I had. Thanks for explaining the best way to utilise each method.

[@angelchico4473]

I love how not only the video itself is enriching and motivating, but also provides the best basis for a delicious discussion of how each one of us struggles with the habit of Journaling in the comments section

[@cmacspaperbacks]

Love it all - wonderful way to present options for people. A big 'ah-ha' moment for me was getting away from journal templates ... I learned to create my own. That way I could use the same notebook and every month/day/whatever change up the style. I have slowly learned what works and what doesn't work for me at a very cost effective experiment.

[@_fatimtzz]

I started journaling a few months ago and i been LOVING IT. I remember trying it out a few years ago and not liking it at all, i used to think i had to do the same stuff people would do, like journaling in the morning everyday and for me that would feel too bothersome, it felt like i was doing a task rather than something i should enjoy, until a few months ago where i started doing the free writing technique, and i instantly fell in love with journaling. I think you did a great job on explaning a few ways people can journal without it feeling like a task. Great video, absolutely loved it🤍

[@pamirescristina7488]

hi, Jared! I started journaling during the pandemic and it really helped me get through those tough times. Today, I use two types of journaling. One of them is simply writing whatever is on my mind, usually to vent or immortalize precious memories I've had. The other one is organizing and scheduling my readings. Personally, being a neurodivergent person, having well-structured and scheduled relaxing moments with books is how I catch up on my reading, Loved the tips, def going to implement some of them!

[@mumblesaurus]

I started a commonplace book and I really enjoy going back over the quotes and seeing why I wanted to keep those close to hand or what was going on for me that I found that particular thing soothing or relevant or a point of view I wanted to keep.. Keeping a journal or reflectove practice is something I've always wanted to do but I 100% agree that particularly bullet journals didn't work for me it was beautiful and inspiring but for me it wasn't reflective enough and I felt it became a chore

[@trixjoyce]

I keep a journal and I have noticed a pattern when I use it. I'm more focused that day, happier and more creative. And the things I'm writing are just simple things like how I feel, what I've done or what I'm planning to do that day and what I'm thinking about certain topics that have been on my mind lately. I don't pressure myself to journal every day, but sometimes I journal daily no matter what, because I'm actually enjoying it! It can be different sometimes though, I can forget about my journal for weeks, but that's not very often because I know that I benefit from using it. Also I'm a writer (mostly in the Swedish language) and I've noticed that my writing gets much better when I journal before actually writing on my book projects, to kind of sort out my thoughts a bit before doing the "real" work. Lastly, I want to say that I really enjoy your videos and I've just recently found your channel and have subscribed :) Thank you!

[@JackFate518]

Maybe you'd consider doing a follow-up video with thoughts on how to use your journal after you have written in it. I did daily pages for about five years (without missing a day!), but I can't say that I ever felt like it was benefitting me as much as others say it benefitted them. Sometimes I would go back and read what I'd written but the main thought this produced was "what if my children read this after I'm gone?" In general, I found reading my journals to be quite unpleasant. I'd be interested in your thoughts on this and in knowing if you worry about hurting the feelings of others who might read your journals someday....

[@ardentlabours833]

Honestly, lots of people burn their journals after using them, and thats okay. Sometimes we just need a space to vent for that moment, and we don’t need to reflect on those thoughts. It might feel good and cathartic to get rid of those thoughts and that might be what journalling is for you :)

[@angelh8262]

Thank you for making this video. I desperately need structure to in my life. I’m not proud to admit, at aged 66 years old I have never kept a diary, rarely used a calendar and I have never journaled in my life. However, today your video popped up and this has been an awakening for me. I’m off to get some good quality note books and pens. Today, I have made a decision I need journaling in my life! Thank you one again, great subject, presentation and content.

[@dinosilone7613]

I’ve thought about the digital vs. analog question for a long time now, decades in fact. And I’ve come down firmly on the side of … both. On the digital side, I mostly use an iPad with a bluetooth keyboard/case that turns it into a mini-laptop. For software, I mostly use Notability and MSWord for the iPad. The kind of journaling I do (I don’t even call it journaling - I just call it writing stuff down) doesn’t fit neatly into any of the categories you listed, but incorporates elements of free-writing, keeping a commonplace book, keeping a book journal, along with a lot of planning, analysis and introspection. When I’m trying to make a difficult decision, getting all my thoughts written down and then organizing them - moving them around, even editing them -helps me arrive at a decision and also to sometimes realize that maybe I had already made the decision before I even started the analysis. I love the ability that my digital solution gives me to edit and move text around, to combine photos, screenshots, hand-drawn material using the Apple Pencil, cut-and-pastes from websites, links to websites, etc. And I also love that it takes up virtually no physical space and I can carry my entire library of “notebooks” as well as my entire Kindle library with me wherever I go. It’s also great in terms of organization and being able to find things that I wrote. But I also love the physical act of writing in a notebook, and I recognize the value of having to slow down, of not being able to move text around, to reorganize. So I use both analog and digital means. Often I find that I’ll start something in a notebook, and then I’ll switch to the iPad when I want to go broader and deeper, or if I feel that something I started would benefit from more development and organization. There’s no reason you have to choose one way over the other.

[@lostfountain595]

Something I got into last year was a notebook for each year, what I did was I wrote down the days where I did a lot more than usual or if something exciting happened or if I went somewhere new, etc. It can also be something to look back on and remember things important, dates and whatnot, or even just to see how things or you have changed. I had one for 2022, and now one for this year. I plan to make it very interesting, almost like a mini book year by year.

[@collinwilliamson607]

Very late to this video but this was extremely helpful. I’ve been journaling for years and when my son was born over a year ago, I switched to journaling from analogue to digital, because I thought it would save me time in the busy transition to parenthood. But instead I just completely fell out of the habit, so now I’m trying to get back into journaling. Thanks for the great insights!

[@bikosquid]

I really appreciate this video explaining different methods, everyone works differently. My personal method is tied in w/ using my Hobonichi weekly planner; it’s a pretty important tool tht reminds me to pace myself and my daily work. I simply use the note pages in the back to journal about day to day thoughts. And the writing doesn’t need to be a lot, atleast for me. Sometimes it’s strings of questions, bullet points of answers, letting the mess of my head get out onto paper so tht I can organize what’s possible.