The Art of Journaling

Years ago the metal typewriter was replaced by computers and the clicking of plastic keyboards that project letters onto a computer screen. But nothing can replace the art of journaling with pen and paper. I love handwriting daily notes into a journal...with a cup of coffee, of course! I spent years in grammar school trying to improve my cursive penmanship and journaling is the only time I can continue to practice this special craft.

But journaling is more than just the art of handwriting. And journals can be kept on computers. laptops or tablets too, but I think writing notes into a charming notebook is more fun and inspiring. The many types of journaling can include personal diaries, keeping lists of daily tasks, managing projects, or writing about personal hobbies, such as art, food, fitness or travel journals. And it's nice to start the new year with a blank journal to fill with a year of activities, plans, inspiration and memories. I keep three journals: one for daily tasks, a second for work tasks, and a third for keeping research notes for my writing projects.

Journaling can be very introspective and help organize our thoughts, manage our lives and achieve our goals. I think American writer Joan Didion summarized the purpose of journaling with this simple statement..."I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see, and what it means..."