Dear I Want to Learn About Journaling-

So...from the input I've gotten here and on facebook, it sounds like a lot of you want to learn about keeping a journal.  I'm game.  My disclaimer is that I'm not a "journal writing expert."  There are many amazing books and websites about journaling.  That having been said, I've kept a journal for many, many years and I do think I can give you some concrete advice that will help you reach your goals, whatever they may be, when it comes to keeping a journal.

Now...before I say one other thing about journaling, you, prospective journal keeper, must take the first step which is...

Go out tomorrow and buy the most beautiful journal you can find.  Go to a stationary store, an office supply store, a bookstore or Target.  Keep looking until you find it.  Undertake your search when you have time to wander and won't be pushed into a decision because you have to take your son to the dentist.  It may not seem like this part is so important but trust me, it is.  A beautiful book you love to look at, touch, etc. will make it far more likely that you'll "keep" a journal than if you use one of your kid's leftover notebooks from last year after ripping out the first 24 used pages.

Do not let anyone tell you what kind of physical journal is right for you.  Lines?  No lines?  Soft or hardcover?  You have to find the journal that looks good to you, that feels good to hold in your hands and that you love.  Never try to fool yourself, though.  If you see something so pretty and you're just dying to buy it but it doesn't have lined pages and you know you need them, don't you dare buy that.  Honesty in journaling begins right there. 

You also have to decide where you're going to write in your journal.  Are you only going to write in the morning or evening while you're sitting in bed?  Will you write at a desk?  Do you want your journal to be something you can carry around with you?  When you pick up that beautiful book with the thick, creamy pages, make sure it's suited to how you want to use it.

I know I told you not to let anyone tell you what kind of physical journal is right for you, but I'm going to tell you one kind of journal that's not right for you:  those themed journals that pose questions to you and give you a certain number of lines to answer or ask you to fill in the blank or have places for pictures-pretty much anything that has any words on it.  I don't even like journals that say "journal" on the cover, but that's up to you.  Beyond that, trust me and buy a blank book or you won't learn how to keep a true journal.  This is important for a lot of reasons, but you just need to take my word on it for now.  Don't buy one of those.

So...you're going to go out and buy the journal that most appeals to your aesthetic="concerned solely with pure emotion and sensation [all 5 of them-seriously-there is a journal out there that will appeal to every one of your senses-you'll know it when you find it]; a love of beauty."

You get to define what "beauty" is and what it means to "love it."  Just remember-it's "pure emotion" so don't use your brain too much.  If you're like me, that's a piece of advice you're happy to follow.

We'll talk more once you've purchased your book-and make sure you have a pen you like, too, though it's not so important that it be pretty.  I look for your comments where you can ask any questions about this first step.  I'll be writing other letters for the next two days so you can take your time with this.

Sincerely Yours