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ThatStateOfMind

Wizard
Nov 13, 2021
633
I have a journal, have had one for a while, mostly began to utilize it after a breakup.

That’s neither here nor there. I wanna know how many of you guys use a journal. Also, of those who do, how do you be more consistent in writing in it? I write in mine once or twice a month and forget about it. I also just randomly doodle in it. I treat it as an outlet for anything which comes to mind but I hate writing because it makes my hand cramp.

Just basically curious though, does anyone journal?
 
TransilvanianHunger

TransilvanianHunger

Grave with a view...
Jan 22, 2023
258
I do, but I'm not particularly consistent. I've been trying to make it a habit, but I find it easier to just talk myself through things out loud instead of writing things down. Between talking to myself and talking to my analyst every week, I rarely feel like there's anything I need to write about. Kind of odd, because when I was younger I used to write quite a bit.
 
snowcloud9

snowcloud9

I'm Cold
Sep 9, 2023
141
Yes. I used to type out my journal entries, but I realized that those things were not private. Since digital footprint exists and since social media moderators kept sending me automated suicide hotline phone numbers. Now I have all my suicide notes and plans written in my journal.

It is also easy to transfer. I am going to entrust my journal to my friend after I die, so that he can ensure the notes get to their intended recipients.
 
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ThatStateOfMind

Wizard
Nov 13, 2021
633
Yes. I used to type out my journal entries, but I realized that those things were not private. Since digital footprint exists and since social media moderators kept sending me automated suicide hotline phone numbers. Now I have all my suicide notes and plans written in my journal.

It is also easy to transfer. I am going to entrust my journal to my friend after I die, so that he can ensure the notes get to their intended recipients.
That’s actually why I don’t type them. I’m afraid of digital footprint.
I do, but I'm not particularly consistent. I've been trying to make it a habit, but I find it easier to just talk myself through things out loud instead of writing things down. Between talking to myself and talking to my analyst every week, I rarely feel like there's anything I need to write about. Kind of odd, because when I was younger I used to write quite a bit.
I’m the same way, I am not very consistent. I don’t talk to myself, rather I just think a lot. I don’t talk to anyone either. Kinda just me myself and I
 
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aitouka

aitouka

calm
Apr 5, 2023
65
Yeah I do and it does help. But a year ago I got really anxious about it because I see all those aesthetic journals on the internet and mine is just. Ugly. Plain. Kept trying to make it prettier and ended up giving up. So yeah. I’m trying to start journaling again, and to focus more on myself rather than the aesthetic. I’m not going to show it to anyone on the internet anyways.
 
Harrow

Harrow

Member
Aug 20, 2023
41
Yes I do, I’m not consistent at all though. I only use it on my absolute worst days and I swear one day I’m going to have to burn it so no one can read it lol

But I don’t just write, I tape things in it and I draw. As long as it’s helping you get out your emotions then it’s doing it’s job.
 
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TransilvanianHunger

TransilvanianHunger

Grave with a view...
Jan 22, 2023
258
I’m trying to start journaling again, and to focus more on myself rather than the aesthetic.
That is the actual point of journaling. Things you see online are not meant to be useful, they're meant to look pretty. The essence of a journal is your own essence. My own journal is a plain black hard cover notebook, nothing fancy. Because journaling (when I actually sit down and do it) is something I do for myself, not for a bunch of Internet strangers. Do it for yourself.
 
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brownbear

brownbear

Member
Aug 27, 2023
23
ive been journaling for the past year or so, its become a part of my life. You just gotta stay consistent with the entrys in the first few months, the rest will come to you naturally. Journaling has been extremely beneficial to me, i just hope no one will read them (even after i ctb)
 
snowcloud9

snowcloud9

I'm Cold
Sep 9, 2023
141
That is the actual point of journaling. Things you see online are not meant to be useful, they're meant to look pretty. The essence of a journal is your own essence. My own journal is a plain black hard cover notebook, nothing fancy. Because journaling (when I actually sit down and do it) is something I do for myself, not for a bunch of Internet strangers. Do it for yourself.
I was really careful with what journal I chose! My personality is really hyperfeminine, so I wanted someone that reflected that so that I would see my journal as “me.” Now I own a journal with a flower cover that has a gold trim and pink pages ☺️
 
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ThatStateOfMind

Wizard
Nov 13, 2021
633
Yeah I do and it does help. But a year ago I got really anxious about it because I see all those aesthetic journals on the internet and mine is just. Ugly. Plain. Kept trying to make it prettier and ended up giving up. So yeah. I’m trying to start journaling again, and to focus more on myself rather than the aesthetic. I’m not going to show it to anyone on the internet anyways.
Mines nothing special tbh, it’s simply a little black book. I like it being inconspicuous and I just keep it in a drawer. Maybe I should do a little art on the front haha
Yes I do, I’m not consistent at all though. I only use it on my absolute worst days and I swear one day I’m going to have to burn it so no one can read it lol

But I don’t just write, I tape things in it and I draw. As long as it’s helping you get out your emotions then it’s doing its job.
This is me, I either write on really amazing days, or absolutely horrible days. And that’s interesting, simply taping and drawing. I prefer writing out my emotions.
That is the actual point of journaling. Things you see online are not meant to be useful, they're meant to look pretty. The essence of a journal is your own essence. My own journal is a plain black hard cover notebook, nothing fancy. Because journaling (when I actually sit down and do it) is something I do for myself, not for a bunch of Internet strangers. Do it for yourself.
I agree. My book is the exact same, small, black, hardcover I bought online for $10.
ive been journaling for the past year or so, its become a part of my life. You just gotta stay consistent with the entrys in the first few months, the rest will come to you naturally. Journaling has been extremely beneficial to me, i just hope no one will read them (even after i ctb)
I currently have no plans to CTB so I just safeguard my journal, and keep it hidden. Only my mom knows about it, but she doesn’t know where I keep it.
I was really careful with what journal I chose! My personality is really hyperfeminine, so I wanted someone that reflected that so that I would see my journal as “me.” Now I own a journal with a flower cover that has a gold trim and pink pages ☺️
That’s cool! I’m glad you got a journal that is representative of your personality :)
 
woh6

woh6

Student
May 13, 2023
183
I had multiple journals, I used them when I felt bad/needed an outlet. I stopped for a while but then also started again after my first break up. I wrote some really messy and personal stuff in there. I found out my mom had been periodically reading it and sharing it with other people though. SUCH an invasion of privacy and I felt so horrible I burned it while I was screaming at her on the phone. Since then I haven't ever used one again haha
 
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ThatStateOfMind

Wizard
Nov 13, 2021
633
I had multiple journals, I used them when I felt bad/needed an outlet. I stopped for a while but then also started again after my first break up. I wrote some really messy and personal stuff in there. I found out my mom had been periodically reading it and sharing it with other people though. SUCH an invasion of privacy and I felt so horrible I burned it while I was screaming at her on the phone. Since then I haven't ever used one again haha
Oh my god that’s terrible. My mom doesn’t know where mine is but if she found it, I know for a fact she wouldn’t read it. She generally respects my privacy and she’s great, main reason I’m still around today tbh.

I can’t imagine someone invading my privacy like that and I’m so sorry that happened to you.
 
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snowcloud9

snowcloud9

I'm Cold
Sep 9, 2023
141
I had multiple journals, I used them when I felt bad/needed an outlet. I stopped for a while but then also started again after my first break up. I wrote some really messy and personal stuff in there. I found out my mom had been periodically reading it and sharing it with other people though. SUCH an invasion of privacy and I felt so horrible I burned it while I was screaming at her on the phone. Since then I haven't ever used one again haha
That's so gross. I wish parents understood that privacy is a basic human right.