February Journaling Chat: Recap Notes

Earlier in the month we had a fun chat surrounding the topic of journaling. I was supposed to write up my notes from the chat and share, but had totally spaced. So thanks to Krista @norton94 for the nudge.

Here is a mix of some supplemental info and some things that we covered:

• Quote: "Why is it we understand playing the cello will require work, but we attribute writing to the magic of inspiration? If you want to write, practice writing." -- Ann Patchett
• If you practice writing on a regular basis, it will make things so much easier when you add journaling onto your scrap or art journaling pages.
• Don't be afraid to write. Some people feel that they aren't good writers, or know enough about spelling and grammar... that doesn't matter. Write for you. If you worry about spelling or grammar, use software to double-check your work before committing it to your scrap pages.
• Some people felt like they didn't want to share "feelings" with everyone in the scrap community by writing a lot of intimate detail on their pages... save your original file and go back to add personal journaling for yourself that isn't shared publicly.
  • There was also some discussion about not wanting to have a personal diary/journal where family members could potentially run across it. Find a secure location to keep it or use an electronic resource with a password.
• Some tips on writing/journaling practice:
  • Write about where you are in your life at this moment
  • Try to write every day for at least ten minutes. Just start writing. You don't have to have a particular topic. It is important to just start writing and let things come out in a stream of consciousness.
  • Try to actually use pen and paper because it stimulates different areas of the brain.
  • Don't edit. Write continuously.

• James Pennebaker has done tons of work and completed hundreds of studies on how journaling really helps you in life. His suggestion is to write for 20 minutes a day about whatever you feel like writing. Some of the benefits he's found from journaling are:
  • Enhanced immune function (he has studied cancer patients and witnessed increases in immunity with journaling)
  • Reduced your blood pressure
  • Improvements in sleep
  • Reductions in other markers of stress

• Maud Purcell says that while your left brain is occupied with writing, your right brain can create, intuit & feel. Writing removes mental blocks and allows us to use more of our brain power to better understand ourselves and the world around us.
• One of the attendees, @gwtwred, told us she has her students create a list of "writing territories" at the beginning of the year/semester. Writing territories are "go-to subjects" that the student would be able to talk about at length (things they know a lot about, things they are passionate about, their hobbies, families, etc.). Each day she has them write for 20 minutes. If they get "stuck" on what to write about, she has them go to their "writing territories" list and pick a topic.
• Another attendee @sunflowersbaby said that she uses a lot of QR codes on her pages to add more journaling. This got everyone excited. Not only because of the idea to add more journaling, but the idea of adding audio came up. People were excited about the thought of interviewing people or having loved ones tell stories about a particular event or whatever and then adding that audio/QR as extra journaling and more storytelling.
  • StoryCorps is a wonderful example of audio interviews and they even have an app you can get for your mobile devices. The project is hoping to "archive the wisdom of humanity" through audio interviews of people around the world. The interviews can be recorded and archived. They even offer links to "great questions" for interviewing others. These would be wonderful on your scrap pages!
• Some apps people use to help with journaling on pages/keeping the memories of the event: Day One, Evernote, Journey

We'd love to hear about what journaling means to you and how you incorporate it into your pages!