Friday, August 15, 2008

My virtual spiral notebook

 
My better half recently wrote an entry about an article he read on the health benefits--both physical and mental--of journaling. This was in honor of J-Land's 5th anniversary, and Guido has created an anniversary blog in which we can all participate.
 
First a bit about journaling in general, then some things about J-Land in particular.
 
I started writing a journal when I went off to college. I went through times when I was pretty faithful with it, and other times when I let it slide for a while. But I always came back to it. There were times in my life when it was a lifesaver, and allowed me to get my thoughts out of my head and onto paper, usually releasing their negative hold on my life. Writing things down was a mental purge, allowing me to focus my thoughts and figure out my choices. (It usually came down to something pretty easy like, "Am I going to get through this, or am I going to curl up and die from it?" That really simplifies things!) I haven't looked through those multiple notebooks in some time, and I don't know that I really want to. The person in those pages bears little resemblance to the person I am now. I sometimes even dislike her, but I forgive her, because she was a work in progress.
 
I still keep one written journal in which I write about our travels. It came about because of an offhand remark from Ken's mom about some of the adventures they experienced when they moved from the Chicago suburbs to the Ozarks in Missouri. She said, "I wish I'd written those things down--they'd be fun to go back and read." Ken and I were struck by that, and agreed that we would do it. For some reason, I just like writing it instead of typing it. We're still working on Volume I, but I have more downstairs waiting to be filled.
 
Online journals have made things considerably easier, especially for those of us who can't write as well as we used to. I may not be able to write as much as I once could, but I can type up a storm! If your journal is private, it can be for a small group or just for you, taking the place of those spiral notebooks I kept all those years. If your journal is public, it's a chance to share a little slice of your life with others, which brings me to J-Land specifically.
 
J-Land is 5 this month, but this journal is just under 2 years old. While I haven't been around from the beginning, it's been such a pleasure sharing things with you all, and learning more about you and your lives. Both Ken and I feel that we have made some true friends on here, friends that we know we will meet one day. As those of you who read us know, we do our best to "accentuate the positive," and believe me, if we make you laugh, it brings us just as much joy as it does you. So here's to you, J-Land, and here's to all of the wonderful, kind-hearted people who make it work. Huzzah!
 
 

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I still keep a paper journal, though I don't who would ever want to read it, and surely, I wouldn't want my kids to read it...EVER!!  But its my old standby.  I started my online journal with much the same enthusiasm, writing for myself, but I read about others problems and with being a public forum...I just didn't want to open myself like that.  I censor much of what I say.  I don't want to offend anyone.  With that said, some of our pals here in this community are hurt by others, viciously, and I just can't stand that!  I know, its the internet, and there is a real live person behind every screen...but why be hurtful??  I've let my journal lapse, seriously, and I don't know if I'll ever get back to it.  For now, visiting my friends, reading about their lives, is enough for me.   Take care...
xoxo ~myra

Anonymous said...

I've been around since almost the beginning, and I've seen many come and go. I have to say though that this community is the greatest. They've seen me through some of the hardest times in my life. I have a paper journal as well, but I find that typing is so much easier, and I seem to journal a lot more online than on paper.
Lovish!
Connie

Anonymous said...

... what a cool freakin' entry ..!

... I can type a little bit, but I write my main thoughts down, then fill them in when I get to my journal ...

... when I was young and full of lights, I shared the idea that Ken's parents have, of writing down their experiences ... it didn't take with my first wife ... but others thought it was cool ...

... wished we were still writing them down together ...

... give yourself a double Huzzah!

Anonymous said...

It's funny, I used to outline things, but as I have grown up with computers, I find that I simply sit down and compose, no notes, no outlines, just let the fingers fly.  I took a typing class in High School, and have never been sorry :o)

Anonymous said...

And here's right back to you, with flowers, balloons and a marching band.  D

Anonymous said...

right back at ya xx  I love j-land and completely agree that if you want to get something of your chest writing it down is such a good way of doing it

Jenny

Anonymous said...

writing a journal is like therapy.....it has been a huge relief to put things down that come from your brain...letting it out can feel SO good.....J land has been an overall wonderous experience......there are people here i will be in contact with till i die, even if i lost the Internet. I know i always come off with a zinger about how awful it can be and that is coming from one who has went thru what few do. I would caution anyone that ever asked to NEVER write one thing publicly here that they do not want their kids, family or spouse to know. NO MATTER HOW GOOD IT FEELS. As  i type each word now, i think of the concequences of that word because trolls and mean spirited people are REAL here....even those a person THINKS they know they do not really.....so, use with caution, i'd say.
XO