Creative Journaling

I'm not that great at keeping a journal. In fact, I don't think I have EVER completely filled a single one. When I do write, I often don't finish the entries, and there are usually months of gaps.

But there are so many other things that I DO do and I DO write that may not come across in your standard journal entry. I featured some scrapbooking stuff last weekend, which has re-excited me to complete a project to actually officially document some of my most memorable journaling moments—specifically from my blog. That's right; I'm going to scrapbook my blog.

It might seem weird but there are several reasons. First, I think that a lot of my writing on my blog over the years really shows who I am, what I'm interested in and what kind of things I've done. When I think about recording my history for future generations, I'd want them to get a glimpse of who I actually was. Please note that I have not in any way considered my blog a journal, but as a writer, my writing is one of the best ways to shed light on my life. The second reason is that it's the easiest way to focus on journaling (when speaking scrapbook terms). I've mentioned how I have a hard time writing bits to go with my pictures; but now instead I will go into the project focusing on the writing and possibly finding a picture to go with that. It's a complete reversal of what I'm used to. But I'm exciting to start.

Perhaps I think about journaling in the wrong way. With my journalism background, I'm more of one to write with a specific audience in mind than to write mostly for myself. But knowing someone might read my work and that someone might be interested in what I say is really a part of what motivates me to write and record. Sometimes I just have a writing urge, and I have to fill it. Take for example this piece I have from one particular amazing day during my study abroad in London. You might not be able to read it, but this simple "essay" has been something I've frequently read over the past few years. It brings me back to a great spot in my life and helps me remember not only that experience, but really what I want out of every experience. It helps me remember who I was and who I want to be.

So I'm hoping to update you on the process and share how I've been able to scrapbook focusing on the journaling rather than the pictures. I'll mention something on here, but the updates just might also be featured on the new craft blog, keepthejuicesflowing.blogspot.com. And yes, more will be coming about that amazing site in the next couple days.