Types Of Journals

Recording the ins, outs, ups, and downs of your life.

Journals, like people, don't fit into a single mold. That's one reason why journals are ideal for capturing the idiosyncrasies that make us human. Business and academic journals are common, but the most memorable journals are private journals, the chronicles of lives lived and experiences gained. If you desire to keep a record of your life, these are some of the many types of journals that can tell the story of you.

Memory journal

All that each of us has is a story, yet few people will take the time to write an autobiography. A memory journal is a creative way to steal back moments in time, and preserve them in a form that can be communicated to others. Memory journals can be simple books where we reminiscence about the events and people in our lives that touched us most. Or you may choose to make your memory journal a more rigorous exercise, recording even the commonplace events that transpire in your life down to the smallest detail.

Dream journal

The dream journal is still sometimes dismissed as too mystical or New Age-related to be of value, but accounts of dreams were being put to great use long before our century. St. Augustine, the 5th century Christian theologian, wrote a letter in 415 A.D. that recounted a lucid dream he experienced.

Dream journals should be kept right next to your bed, as dreams are quickly forgotten once you enter the regular course of your day. Keeping your eyes closed as you think over your dream will enhance your ability to remember. Dream journals have been put to great use by artists and therapists. A dream journal can provide a window into the motives and impulses too often ignored by our conscious minds.

Writing journal

Writing journals can serve many different purposes. They may be private and secure places to give way to your thoughts, expressing yourself fully without fear that someone else will read your writing. A writing journal can also function as a diary, or a personal assistant. Many creative writers find that a writing journal helps them to organize their thoughts. Your writing journal could be a place to outline a story, foster new creative ideas, or keep track of your progress and moods as you work on a novel or screenplay.

Nature journal

Though less common today than in the past, a nature journal can alter your way of perceiving the world around you, opening your eyes and enriching your life. One needn't live in the Amazon or go trekking through the Sahara to justify keeping a nature journal. Even a simple record of the flowers and plant life in a nearby park would be valuable, or double the pleasures of your favorite nature hikes by recording how the seasons pass and change throughout the year.

Food journal

Keeping a food journal is a pastime that could benefit anyone. With so many fad diets now come and gone, a food journal can help you to remember which foods make you feel and look your best. Recording on paper what you eat every day can also give you an objectivity that you'll find invaluable. Food journals can surprise you, for better or worse. Remember to keep it fun. A few new recipes and recollections of banquets attended can make your food journal both a culinary and literary pleasure.

More information on journals