The image is beautiful! I like the idea of collages - such a nice way to capture the atmosphere of a day, trip, season etc.
For me, what has helped most for sticking with the habit was 1. accepting that I don't write every single day and 2. not putting pressure to write a lot of text. I say to myself that if I only write "Today I went for a walk & saw a robin" that's fine. I've never *actually* ended up with a single sentence -usually things start to appear once I write.
Taking the pressure off journalling daily or even weekly really helped me. I write whenever I fancy it in my long-form journal – two whole entries for December! 😂
I've been bullet journaling for 8 years now and I think because it helps with my productivity/organization/mental load, I don't have a hard time being consistent with it like I do with long-form journaling. Junk journaling has piqued my curiosity lately though, so thank you for sharing your resources!
Molly, I used to keep diaries. Not every year but quite a few years when I was raising my children. I have been re-reading those diaries over Christmas and New Year and I cannot tell you the pleasure it has given me to be reminded of memories made in previous homes.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the various places I took my children to, the friends I made, the lovely sense of community I found in each place we lived (we moved several times due to my husband‘s job) and laughed at some of the comments my young children made, that I had forgotten about.
One of my diaries was a five-year one, with only room for a large paragraph of writing each day, yet I still fitted a lot of information into that paragraph. You don’t necessarily need to write much to be impactful.
I am so glad I kept these diaries and it has also helped me to form a different perspective on a couple of situations. Sometimes our memories can become blurred around certain events, particularly if much emotion was attached to them, but a diary or journal can clarify matters.
Also, in my five-year diary, I had cleverly written alternate years with a different colour pen. This meant that the years were clearly delineated and much easier to read through.
Ooh I never thought of keeping a nature journal - I like that idea.
I will go through periods where I journal consistently, because I absolutely have to get my feelings out of me, and periods where I don't journal at all. Lately I've only been doing it when I'm feeling extra sensitive to my surroundings and it's only on occasion. I've decided to allow myself to journal when I want, without any pressure. It's more enjoyable for me and serves its purpose for me better.
100% with this! I was talking about the same the other day. I always felt so frustrated that I couldn’t do it like other people, but gratitude practice before bed just isn’t for me. When I accepted that journaling can be whatever I want it to be, I relaxed. Now I have a tiny journal which I carry around and word vomit into as and when something comes up. I don’t have a schedule which works. I also just started the morning pages practice. Surely it doesn’t matter if you miss a day….? Best of luck for your new approach this year 🙌🏼🥰. I have saved your nature diary post to read because I really want to try and get into this. I think it’s what will resonate with me.
Thanks for sharing, Molly Ella! It's strangely comforting to hear of other people's struggles.
I keep a nature journal about our rewilding project, which I write about in my Wild Notes and in the book I'm serialising on Substack, 'Wilderness: In Search of Belonging'. So I really need to keep this journal because it helps my work and my writing.
But I find it really hard to find a time when I can fit it in and write it consistently. I'm so frustrated with myself. I've just got to the point in my book - 20,000 words in!! - when the time period I'm writing about aligns with when I started keeping my nature journal. And all of a sudden, my writing is better and it's so much easier.
So why can't I make myself fit writing the journal into my week??! Does anyone have any thoughts?
So kind of you to get back to me. I don’t do it then because that’s when I get my workout in - I get up super early and do it before children’s breakfast and the school run. If I were to do all those lovely things, journalling, mediating, etc at that time, I don’t think I’d have time to exercise, especially as my day finishes when school run - early!
What everyone else says really, that it's better not to pressure oneself to do it a particular way and time. I started with gratitude journaling and did keep it up for a while, then more sporadically, now it's morphed into something more fluid, sometimes quite frequent sometimes not.
But I have found with writing that the materials make a difference; using pencil is liberating, I seldom rub out, but knowing I can is helpful, and the lightness of it is also friendlier. The size and quality of the notebook too, too small is restrictive, too large discouraging, a decent weight and quality is nice but too fancy and precious is inhibiting, and I like ruled paper but not the heavy grid which is prevalent here in France. These things are personal, I've a friend who prefers large thin plain paper notebooks and gel pens, each to their own!
I can identify with this too! I keep a very small ‘daily sketch journal’ where I tend to pick one thing from my day and draw it very loosely and maybe add a few written words that sum up the day (although there are times it slips and I end up playing catch up) and I have just started a junk journal over Christmas and so far I am loving it - I don’t put any pressure on myself with rules for this one so it’s not daily and it doesn’t have to record anything in particular - but like you it’s brought up all the childhood memories of just having fun and playing 😃 thanks for the links - I’ll take a look x
I really identify with this. I love journals and I know when I do write in them it helps in so many ways but I always forget to do it or have some kind of resistance. Then I end up feeling bad about not being consistent.
I have been thinking about starting a junk journal so I might try that. I have plenty of unused journals lying around! ❤️
You have really lovely journals! I too have tried to sketch, but it really isn't enjoyable in the end, and I think that is part of the point, for it to be enjoyable. Keep on doing this your own way, I say.
I have never journaled consistently but this feels like the year it might happen! So far I’ve journaled every day and it’s been a wonderful experience!
Thank you for sharing such honest and thoughtful reflections, I completely relate to so many of these thoughts and the struggle to create a journaling habit (despite my strongest desires and intentions). I love the idea of releasing the pressure. The two journaling methods that have worked for me consistently are my one-line-a-day journal and a gratitude journal, both completed at night when I get into bed and both such a low lift I don't feel too overwhelmed. I love the idea of embracing when I feel called to journal and relieving myself of the guilt otherwise.
The image is beautiful! I like the idea of collages - such a nice way to capture the atmosphere of a day, trip, season etc.
For me, what has helped most for sticking with the habit was 1. accepting that I don't write every single day and 2. not putting pressure to write a lot of text. I say to myself that if I only write "Today I went for a walk & saw a robin" that's fine. I've never *actually* ended up with a single sentence -usually things start to appear once I write.
Such good advice!
I don't really do anything very consistently. Learning that's ok.
Taking the pressure off journalling daily or even weekly really helped me. I write whenever I fancy it in my long-form journal – two whole entries for December! 😂
Two is far better than 0! I love the idea of aligning with your creativity :)
I've been bullet journaling for 8 years now and I think because it helps with my productivity/organization/mental load, I don't have a hard time being consistent with it like I do with long-form journaling. Junk journaling has piqued my curiosity lately though, so thank you for sharing your resources!
It is a very fun way to spend time!
Molly, I used to keep diaries. Not every year but quite a few years when I was raising my children. I have been re-reading those diaries over Christmas and New Year and I cannot tell you the pleasure it has given me to be reminded of memories made in previous homes.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the various places I took my children to, the friends I made, the lovely sense of community I found in each place we lived (we moved several times due to my husband‘s job) and laughed at some of the comments my young children made, that I had forgotten about.
One of my diaries was a five-year one, with only room for a large paragraph of writing each day, yet I still fitted a lot of information into that paragraph. You don’t necessarily need to write much to be impactful.
I am so glad I kept these diaries and it has also helped me to form a different perspective on a couple of situations. Sometimes our memories can become blurred around certain events, particularly if much emotion was attached to them, but a diary or journal can clarify matters.
Also, in my five-year diary, I had cleverly written alternate years with a different colour pen. This meant that the years were clearly delineated and much easier to read through.
This sounds like such a beautiful way to capture and revisit memories :)
Ooh I never thought of keeping a nature journal - I like that idea.
I will go through periods where I journal consistently, because I absolutely have to get my feelings out of me, and periods where I don't journal at all. Lately I've only been doing it when I'm feeling extra sensitive to my surroundings and it's only on occasion. I've decided to allow myself to journal when I want, without any pressure. It's more enjoyable for me and serves its purpose for me better.
I agree that removing the pressure we put on ourselves is key :)
100% with this! I was talking about the same the other day. I always felt so frustrated that I couldn’t do it like other people, but gratitude practice before bed just isn’t for me. When I accepted that journaling can be whatever I want it to be, I relaxed. Now I have a tiny journal which I carry around and word vomit into as and when something comes up. I don’t have a schedule which works. I also just started the morning pages practice. Surely it doesn’t matter if you miss a day….? Best of luck for your new approach this year 🙌🏼🥰. I have saved your nature diary post to read because I really want to try and get into this. I think it’s what will resonate with me.
I love your tiny notebook, I have one as well and its very handy for those random thoughts and ideas that come up! :)
Thanks for sharing, Molly Ella! It's strangely comforting to hear of other people's struggles.
I keep a nature journal about our rewilding project, which I write about in my Wild Notes and in the book I'm serialising on Substack, 'Wilderness: In Search of Belonging'. So I really need to keep this journal because it helps my work and my writing.
But I find it really hard to find a time when I can fit it in and write it consistently. I'm so frustrated with myself. I've just got to the point in my book - 20,000 words in!! - when the time period I'm writing about aligns with when I started keeping my nature journal. And all of a sudden, my writing is better and it's so much easier.
So why can't I make myself fit writing the journal into my week??! Does anyone have any thoughts?
I'm glad you found some comfort in this and, as you will see by the comments, you're not alone!
Have you tried first thing in the morning, before rising and becoming engaged with the busy world?
So kind of you to get back to me. I don’t do it then because that’s when I get my workout in - I get up super early and do it before children’s breakfast and the school run. If I were to do all those lovely things, journalling, mediating, etc at that time, I don’t think I’d have time to exercise, especially as my day finishes when school run - early!
I recently learned of a “commonplace book” and have found that to be wonderful addition to my journaling practice!
What everyone else says really, that it's better not to pressure oneself to do it a particular way and time. I started with gratitude journaling and did keep it up for a while, then more sporadically, now it's morphed into something more fluid, sometimes quite frequent sometimes not.
But I have found with writing that the materials make a difference; using pencil is liberating, I seldom rub out, but knowing I can is helpful, and the lightness of it is also friendlier. The size and quality of the notebook too, too small is restrictive, too large discouraging, a decent weight and quality is nice but too fancy and precious is inhibiting, and I like ruled paper but not the heavy grid which is prevalent here in France. These things are personal, I've a friend who prefers large thin plain paper notebooks and gel pens, each to their own!
So interesting, I prefer to write in pencil too and you're right that journal preferences really do vary!
I can identify with this too! I keep a very small ‘daily sketch journal’ where I tend to pick one thing from my day and draw it very loosely and maybe add a few written words that sum up the day (although there are times it slips and I end up playing catch up) and I have just started a junk journal over Christmas and so far I am loving it - I don’t put any pressure on myself with rules for this one so it’s not daily and it doesn’t have to record anything in particular - but like you it’s brought up all the childhood memories of just having fun and playing 😃 thanks for the links - I’ll take a look x
Oh your sketch journal sounds lovely Nikki! :)
I really identify with this. I love journals and I know when I do write in them it helps in so many ways but I always forget to do it or have some kind of resistance. Then I end up feeling bad about not being consistent.
I have been thinking about starting a junk journal so I might try that. I have plenty of unused journals lying around! ❤️
Yes I'm the same! Its a great way of using them up :)
Really loved this one. As someone who has struggled with my writing practice (after long term illness) this was really helpful. Thank you. 😊
I'm so glad you enjoyed :)
You have really lovely journals! I too have tried to sketch, but it really isn't enjoyable in the end, and I think that is part of the point, for it to be enjoyable. Keep on doing this your own way, I say.
I have never journaled consistently but this feels like the year it might happen! So far I’ve journaled every day and it’s been a wonderful experience!
That's amazing! :)
Thank you for sharing such honest and thoughtful reflections, I completely relate to so many of these thoughts and the struggle to create a journaling habit (despite my strongest desires and intentions). I love the idea of releasing the pressure. The two journaling methods that have worked for me consistently are my one-line-a-day journal and a gratitude journal, both completed at night when I get into bed and both such a low lift I don't feel too overwhelmed. I love the idea of embracing when I feel called to journal and relieving myself of the guilt otherwise.
Thank you for sharing your own journaling practise lovely, I think the concept of gratitude journaling is so beautiful :)