journaling advices
So, yesterday I went to my favourite bookstore, even if it’s part of a large distribution chain it has a lot of nice stationery and a lot of books, and because it was the day before Easter was completely empty, so the two salesclerks were behind the counter, chatting. I did my slow, calm, happy search for the right book, I had to leave behind a couple dozen because my bank account is what it is, so I went to the counter to pay this beautiful illustrated book about famous and historical diaries, and one of the clerks starts telling me how she loved that book and how she wanted to start writing a journal herself because it’s such a nice thing to do, and that book was awesome. Little she did know that I’m an enthusiast writer of journals and art diaries, as I think almost all my followers know, I suppose, because I sometimes flood the dash with pictures of beautifully written and decorated journal pages, so we started chatting and told her that yes, it is a beautiful experience, and she told me that she tried sometimes but she wasn’t able to keep up. The store was empy, as I said, because it’s also a small one, so there was just the three of us, and I start asking how she tried to get into journaling and giving advices, part on my own esperiences, and part on what I have read on the web here on tumblr or on various groups and forums about creative writing and art diaring... so, after I think an hour, she was there with a new diary in her hand, a pen and a HUGE SMILE behind the mask, thanking me and started writing in her journal, with my name in it as a thanks for my help.
It made my entire day, and because I love writing diaries, and maybe someone needs the same advices too, I’ll share them here too, for people who wants to start writing journals and diaries and is too shy or inexperienced, hoping to be of some help.
Start thinking if you want to draw on it or just write, so you can decide if you want blank pages or ruled ones.
buy a simple notebook, nothing too fancy as first, so you won’t be too worry to ruin it
choose a small one, so it’s easier to fill the page with just some random thoughts if you don’t know what to write at first
always bring it with you, with a pen, so when you don’t know what to do while waiting in line or having a cup of coffee you can simply write it down
write whatever you want. you can just write a word or a phrase. If you see a cute dog, or a little squirrel jumping in the city park, and it wa something you noted and found cute, write it down
try to write positive things, like thanks for something or nice things that you witnessed or happened to you, it’ll reinforce writing as something that gives you positive vibes, it’ll be easier to keep it going. There will be plenty of time when you’ll find yourself writing of bad things just to vent, in the future, but to start, use it for nice thoughts, and it’ll be easier to like it as a habit
try to write as often as you can but don’t beat yourself if you can’t write every day. you’re building a nice habit and a hobby, not learning a new job
be patient with yourself, don’t give up to perfectionism or anxiety.
this is a space for your eyes only. you can decorate all you want, and you can simply write funny scribbles, it doesn’t matter, so feel free to write, or draw, or make collages, or whatever makes you happy.
enjoy the process! ad if you quit, you can start again another time, it’s not a competition!
and remember... writing a diary or a journal, and collecting diaries and journals are two separate hobbies. I always write on something that looks like a moleskine, but I have a collection of beautiful diaries that I am sure I’ll never use because they’re just to look nice on my shelves.
also, you can have multiple journals! I have one bullet journal, a private diary, and multiple art diaries for fanfictions, themed art journals related to my favourite fandoms, a cat diary for my cats, and a lot of unfinished works that just pick up randomly when I fancy to do another page, with absolutely no pressure to complete them because I love doing them, not finishing them!
ps... i’m not an english native speaker, so please be kind with my grammar mistakes!
