Guide to Digital Journaling
Digital journaling can be a cost effective alternative to physical journaling with the added benefits of portability, accessibility, and sustainability. Additionally, digital mediums add a whole new level of creative freedom to your journaling! You can include elements such photos, videos, gifs, and links in your digital journal. For those that struggle with traditional art and penmanship, digital journaling allows you to include art, stickers, designs, and play with fonts.
Where to Create Your Digital Journal?
There are different apps and platforms for you to journal on, some may only be available on IOS or Android, but you use social media platforms as well. Most, if not all, social media platforms have a an option to privatize your page or posts if you’d like to keep your content private. For example, here on tumblr there are options to make posts private or disable reblogs.
Website makers are also a great way to start journaling! Applications such as Google Sites, Wordpress, and Canva are easy to use for those with no programming experience but want a customizable platform. For those that what to try their hand at programming and create a website from scratch, here is a video that might be helpful:
how I made my website by shar on YouTube
You can also use apps that are made specifically for journaling, that mimic a traditional journal or planner with premade templates and designs!
My Experience with Digital Journaling:
Personally, I use my Instagram as a digital journal! I made my page completely private with no followers so I don’t feel pressured to perfect my photos or entries, as having an “audience” can discourage me from posting. I use free photo editor apps to decorate my photos (such as PicSee, Kawaii Photo, and Collageable) and in the description I write my entry. What’s helpful is that posts are automatically dated with the option to add the location.
I created what is in essence a private digital photo scrapbook because I loved taking Polaroids to include in my journal, but the film was too expense to keep up! I also wanted a more photo centered journal that emphasized visual memories rather than just written entries. The result was an Instagram page I actually use, lengthy descriptions that focus on detail and not just witty one liners for “likes”, and the ability to archive mundane photos of my daily life 💛
Daily Journaling: Ideas and Techniques For The Modern Writer by Kristen Webb Wright- Advantages and challenges of switching from traditional to digital journaling with tips and techniques to help you on your journey!
Digital vs. Paper Journaling: Which one is for you? By Jenny Lee- A rundown on digital journaling with resources. This article compares both physical and digital journaling with listed benefits.
The Impactful Practice of Digital Journaling Explained by Katie Koschalk- This article explains what digital journaling is, the benefits, and how to get started.
Videos to get you started:
Digital Journaling for Beginners by geminipages on YouTube: Beginner guide with a focus on Apple/ipad with a brief list of journaling software for you to explore.
How to Start Digital Journal + Flip-through by diarysheree on YouTube: A tutorial on how to create a customized digital journaling platform using Canva, Sketchbook, and Pages.
Digital Journaling in Android by Sangita Patle on YouTube: A tutorial on how to create a customizable journal on Android using Picsart and Pinterest.
Journaling Methods Library: Click here for a guide to different journaling methods! 🔗
👥 Join our tumblr journaling community <here>!
