Different Journaling Techniques
Non-Writing Ways to Express Yourself and Keep Track of Your Journey
Oct 13, 2008 Elisabeth Sharber
As much as people are encouraged to keep journals to express their feelings and record their personal journeys, they don’t always set aside the time to do so. Some might claim to not journal at all. But actually, lots of activities can serve as sufficient records of thoughts and feelings.
Music Choice as Journaling
People who find release in their multifaceted music collection might create playlist after playlist for different activities. If you create playlists periodically, you might start dating them and saving them in iTunes (or whatever music storage program you use). When you want to look back at how you have been feeling, you can see the song titles and remember how they each reflected different emotions. You can also track how the music choice slowly changes over the course of a few weeks. Do the songs get progressively complex in sound? Do the lyrics change in attitude?
Doodles as Journaling
Those who find it hard to pay attention in class or focus on their readings might be given to doodling. Take a look at the doodles in the margins of your books and notes. Doodling choice, like music choice, can be a reflection of your personality. One day you might draw wisps coming out of the title in your packet, another day tiny bubbles, another day square patterns, spiraling patterns, etc. As you look back at doodles from past handouts, you might remember how you felt when you did them. Do the doodles go through phases or changes? Do they get more angles or curves? Do they change in depth or shading? Looking back at the doodles throughout the years can remind a person of one’s own emotional phases.
But the disadvantage of relying upon doodling for personal review is that the doodles can be hard to find and keep track of. If they’re not all kept in the same book, it would be wiser to use doodling as a secondary source of journaling than as a primary source.
Photos as Journaling
If you take a lot of photos, start to date them. You’ll remember the places you went and the people you did things with. You can also take note of how you yourself look in the photos. Are you taking care of yourself or have you gotten in a physical rut? Is your smile reaching out or content? In addition, pay attention to the content of your photos. Are you bored and unmotivated, taking pictures of silverware or desks (unless you find these inspiring)? Are you immersing yourself in the environments you love and taking shots of normal sights? Are your pictures well-lit or dark?
Date Book as Journaling
While a date book does not focus on the creative side like music choice, doodling, or taking pictures, it does allow you to keep track and review your plans. However, it does not tell you your activities; it tells you your intentions. So while reviewing your planner, don’t be fooled into thinking it is a record of what you’ve done. Think of it more as a record of your objective goals or known hobbies.
While it is always important to set aside time for self-expression and reflection, you end up leaving footprints of your thoughts and feelings throughout your day. If journaling is too time consuming, learn to organize these footprints so that you can look back on them and learn about yourself through them.
a journal page
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