Journaling Just Works

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A place to discuss anything related to keeping a journal, a diary, a planner, a bullet journal, art/junk journal. Productivity, self-help, mindfulness, memory-keeping, creativity, project management or any other purpose.

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Giving journaling another try (feddit.org)

submitted 17 hours ago by zitronenschnitte@feddit.org to c/journaling@sh.itjust.works

8 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Hello!

I used to journal a bit here and there. I think the longest I managed to do it consistently was January '22 until mid '23.

I want to give it another try and see how it goes this time. As a little motivation boost I got myself a fountain pen. First time I got one since back in school; like 20 years ago when I switched to ballpoint. And used to have ones from LAMY back then and after 2 days of resarch I got the LAMY AL-star. I went to the store to test and it took me 30 minutes to decide on the colour. So I totally understand why people own many pens very fast :D

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[–] Libb@piefed.social 3 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Hello!

My (too many ?) Lamy AL-star and Safari and I approve of your choice of pen, and color, and nib!

That being said, I want to vehemently object:

I went to the store to test and it took me 30 minutes to decide on the colour. So I totally understand why people own many pens very fast :D

You realize how easily you could frighten potential new Lamy users speaking like that, right? You need to reassure those new users. You need to tell them there is no need to be quick to buy multiple Lamy, none at all. Which is not even a lie, there is no need at all just some strange... desire to do so. I've been slowly accumulating Lamy Safari since the mid or late 80s, when I purchased my first one, immediately falling in love with it 🥰

I used to journal a bit here and there. I think the longest I managed to do it consistently was January ’22 until mid ’23.

As far I'm concerned, pauses are a legit part of my journal. I have been journaling since I was a little boy (now nearing my 60s) and that includes many huge & small gaps, some of which lasting for quite a few years.

What helps me keep journaling when it's not already on hold, it is to not bother with being systematic/organized. All the 'systems' I tried to use over the years ended up failing. So, nowadays, I put the date (plus the weather) and then just write whatever comes, including 'shit' knowing it often helps me get to what it is I really wanted/needed to write about.

Welcome back to journaling :)

[–] zitronenschnitte@feddit.org 1 points 2 hours ago

You realize how easily you could frighten potential new Lamy users speaking like that, right?

What?! OH NO! 😱 Let me rephrase it a bit then: There were a lot of options I would be very happy with. It took me some time to decide which one to get, but I am really happy with it. And had I picked a different colour, I would have been just as happy! The blue one even still looked the same as the one I got back in elementary school! So yes, plenty of time - No need to listen to the little voice in your head that tells you to get multiple right away!

Buuuuuut....if I still enjoy it as much in like 3 month, I will get back and might get another one and play around with different ink colours as well :)

And a little advice for anyone who is thinking about getting into it: Try to see the pen in person. I've checked the available options online, before I went to the store. And just by pictures my decision would have been different than seeing them live in store.

What helps me keep journaling when it’s not already on hold, it is to not bother with being systematic/organized.

I will keep that in mind. I noticed that sometimes structure helps me, and sometimes I feel restricted or even overwhelmed by it. So I can see myself switching between different styles depending on my mood of what I am going through. But right now, I just enjoy the possibilities :)

[–] Tar_alcaran@sh.itjust.works 7 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

posting your Lamy on Lemmy

[–] zitronenschnitte@feddit.org 3 points 17 hours ago

Oh, I didn't even realize. I pronounce LAMY the German way, and Lemmy in an English way

[–] Katyacat1@lemmy.world 6 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

What I have found to work with me is having a structured thing I write down everyday. For me it is 3 things I'm grateful for. I may write more but I always include at least that. I also found it helpful that I have someone to share it with every day and she shares hers with me. (Just the gratitude piece not the whole journal entry usually). Then we start up a conversation on those things. I now look forward to it and have been doing that for about two years now. Fun pens also help. Especially a fountain pen which you want to use everyday so the stupid thing does not dry out and get clogged.

[–] zitronenschnitte@feddit.org 5 points 17 hours ago (1 children)

Thank you for the suggestions.

I have tried a gratitude log in the past, but it's not really working for me. Ironically, it made me feel ungrateful, because I had such a hard time with it :D But I am glad you have found a way that works for you :)

But having a structure might be a good idea. I just have to see what works for me. I will just do it like I did last time and then adapt as I go.

But I agree, a nice pen you want to use can really help to pick it up daily :)

[–] Katyacat1@lemmy.world 4 points 17 hours ago

Somedays are harder than others. The other day I was grateful to have gotten pushed out of the ditch, grateful I got pushed out of a client's driveway and grateful I technically did not hit the deer. It was a difficult day to be grateful for as it was so stressful. I also enjoy a good scented ink or a nice nontraditional ink color.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 1 points 15 hours ago