How to use a Journal
Life’s a Journey
Journaling can be fun relaxing and can be a best friend when they are available. You can write your daily life in them, big events, use one for just your poetry or drawing, or some other hobby you are into (Themed) There’s Gardening Journal, Reading Journals, baby & pet care journals. Some only write others draw or do both. Then there’s some who put trinkets like photos, movie and concert tickets etc. You can write quotes, lyrics of songs you like, doodle anything you want. There’s a journaling ideas section, as well as a few to find your preferred journal type. Locking journals, Leather bound, there’s an assorted list as well and the pocket journal.
This lens it to help you get started, show you various ideas as well as prompts for general journal topics.
Currently I started a new journal more of a summary as I have back & hip pain so I include a scale of how much pain I’m in, what I eat, the weather, What I’ve done more or less in the day as well as entertainment and then-some, I also try to include any dreams I had at night as well.
Life’s a Journey
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take notes along the way
First 
Gives you idea on what to write about Creative, Self-improvement, Family Writing, Problem solving, Spiritual, Daily Life, & logging ideas. They can all be used in one or you can have separate journals for each.
You can also look at http://izzysnotes.blogspot.com/2013/08/how-to-start-journal.html
National Dear Diary Day September 22
I was trying to find a journaling day but so far I have not, so I will go with using this as such
How to keep a journal and some ideas
What kind of journal will your’s be?Theme Journals & Travel kit ideas
The videos included here will help you (I hope) with all forms of journaling; from the usual way of just writing down your thoughts, ideas poems etc, to Art, Visual and Smash book styles. Any any other sorts I cannot think of at the moment.
Author’s choice – My favorite kind of journal
have been hording journals of various sorts. Spiral Notebooks, Composition books with a cover design (not the usual marble look) The thin ones you can find in a dollar store, those sent by friends & well you can just checkout my video(s) of my used as well as blank journals to see. (frankly I might still have more to show off!)
I would be so happy to find a journal something like this
Paperblanks Nocturnelle Grande Lined Journal (240 Pages, 8.25 x 11.75 Inches)
So if I were just starting to journal be it daily or just for certain events (like concerts etc.) I would love something that looks antique, preferably with those hinged closures that would hopefully last me a few years, (or maybe even be able to add paper to it as well. As I mentioned about ‘antique’ looking and the ‘hinge closures’ I’ve seen images of books that way and I think I can see them on this.
Choose a type off the shelf
* Journaling * Theme Journals *
Affordable and fine journals
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But you don’t have to choose one from here, I’ve included a few other sections for specific types like locked ones, then there’s an assortment at the end. There’s also the option to use a binder as a journal & one for small moleskin books.
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I love these kind of journals as they look antique and are easy to open. They are also more masculine looking for the guys that want to draw etc.
Check out the bigger picture, you can see the leaves! Definately something different and if you are vegan or just like being environmental.. this is great for you
POST Journal with Lock, Saffiano Silver, 4.25 x 6-Inch
Whether you have nosy family members or want to tote your ‘diary/journal’ around, This is a great Idea especially for those of you who want to keep a record of the never ending passwords we have. I have done the same with one I was able to lock. I include my Passwords in there. I write down the sites in pen, then the password IN PENCIL so I can erase it when I change it.
Locking Journals others
there’s 2-3 here for the guys but one (the pirate) I’m sure can be used for either
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Masculine bindings – and a couple NOT SURE if they would be considered so
This section is supposed to be for the guys I have include those I thought would be best for the guys for whatever sort of journaling (drawing?) they do.
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19Eccolo Made in Italy Leather 5 x 7-Inch Locking Journal Diary, Black
more a unisex version but for all his secrets
I LOVE this one for anyone but to be IS the best selection here. besides the tree one
Another Manly one, rustic like with a tree on the cover
Dragon with Lock Leather Journal 5×7
OR
Designing your own
Thisi s great if you can’t quite find the style you’d like in the stores or online.
If you are good with crafts and tools. This is the way to go for you (that plus you can turn it into a business!)
There’s nothing better or more impressive than someone who made their own journal.
Basic Supplies – *a MUST
Some also keep a Journaling Kit for when they travel This can be kept (depending on the items aside from these) in a basic
sized pencil case (remember those Plastic/Vinyl ones? that size) a cosmetic case or even a document case.
Ideas to include for a travel kit:
— idea is mini pens in a few different colors aside from the basic blue or black.
— If you are traveling… make a trip to the craft store & pick up a few scrapbooking embellishments with the travel theme, as well as Picture mounts the ones that go on the corners.
— Stickers or other scrapbook items to fit what theme(s) cities, states or countries you will cover.
— ruler (can be a mini)
Use your imagination The below is just the basic supplies
- What to write it in*journal, binder, computer file(s), evenSquidoo! You can see my 2013 Reading journal here!
- *Pen /pencil Typewriter or keyboard
- colored pens pencils markers etc
- glue or tape (or both) Mounting squares (found in Scrapbooking section of craft stores)
- rubber stamps
- pictures, ticket stubs, & other souvenirs
- Go Green…REpurpose items for instanceOld deck of cardsor did you use all the paper out of a small spiral notebook?You can get binder rings from Staples,office max etc BIG officie supply store & just put a few of them through the holeswhere the spiral band was & you can add paper and such to it as you need. If not then there’s the option of the more expensive spiral binding punch, and having to that whole thing out & back in each time you want to add to it.
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journaling Supplies suggestions
I think a great Idea is using a stamp for the date be it in the calendar format or any of the others, as well as time and weather if you talk of your day or a certain part of it.
Is there someone that you think will snoop, create a code and use that to write your entries!
How tos (ideas) & show & tell
the junk journals ideas you might want to skip 8 minutes ahead.
Prompt ideas
Your Goals
Meditate
Reflecting on a book or film (write a review)
Work out an emotional problem
pros & cons
Any ideas that come to mind
Quotes you like
What you did during the summer
Poem, story or Drawing
Pie- be it the graph, Pizza, or the symbol.
Your Pet(s) or animal you wish 2 be
Use tape (all colors types and sizes)
Newspaper &Magazine clipping collage
Mandala draw one or color in & paste in journal
Idea for Entry Format
https://medium.com/the-ascent/7-exceptional-ways-to-get-the-most-out-of-journaling-6041fdd79de8
INSPIRE-ation station
See the section ‘What[‘s in your travel kit’, for a travel art (paint) kit
How to books for inspiration – & A JOURNAL
a nice leather one works good for travel
My Poetry Journal
MY Journals – Theme & Blanks and now a Smash book
Theme Journals of Zodiacimmortal
my apologies I was not able to find my tripod to do one of the videos
I don’t think I’m so good with the Smash book, but then I purchased a small one.
It is not the extraordinary events that shape our lives. These times are few. Rather, it is the ordinary, day-to-day occurrences that form the pattern of our days and give our lives meaning. It is these events that will someday be read and cherished by those who come after us. ~ Col. Garry A. Littleton
Using a Binder as a Journal
I have a Mead Five star 9 1/2 x 6″ binder that would be great for a journal (I wanted to include one here, but I couldn’t find a listing) The great thing with binders for journals is, you can add more paper when you are almost out, there’s folders etc you can include to put letters, cards, photos and so on you want to keep. Heck if you want to lock it… you can always try a hole punch (or just poking a hole w/ a reamer) & put a small lock on it!
Binder Journals are great as you can pretty much include anything you want on the page clippings etc, and should have enough of room that it does not wreck the binding of the spine, like with the others.
Another reason to consider using a binder for your journal, is
1. It’s easier to travel with (es. the 6×9 ones) Ihave a binder that has handles & some pockets in it in a denim style. (was supposedto be for pencils disks etc)
2. Hole punch for binders & single punches easier to stash papaer bits like ticket stubs etc in a flash
3. You can keep adding to it instead of constantly having to go find a new one. (You’d be surprised how much a binder will hold!)
You can also include an assorted type of pages and colored pages like this:
So if you are going to do a journal that’s going to look part scrapbook. I’d say a Binder is the best to use. Oh I also included 2 Smash Books. One is a kit the other is the ‘mini folio’ that comes with the pen/glue stick in case you might be interested in those for your journaling.
notebook-ideas-a-list-of-ideas-for-notebook-uses
You can also check these out…I know they are sold at Staples They are
Just click & check it out. you can add pages as you need more, you can use dividers to organize the journal by topic, month or year. There’s even a spot to include pens etc.
I LOVE the Life Organizer (well inside of it.. but would love one for myself in Purple & green too
I love this one, and wish someone would make something like this for me in the same colors
Sample Journal Heading
I thought to include a sample of a heading that could be used if you do a daily journal (or you can use it for whatever form you have especially if you don’t use it often)
Day, date year & Time
Weather
Mood
What you are listing to or watching
eating/drinking.
Entry Type: Like a travel journal, drawing, poem, daily, creative (poetry, story etc)
Don’t put too many clippings in a regular journal or it ruins the binding & stays like this.
Journaling Ideas
There’s allot of things you can do with a journal. Whether you just want to keep track of what you did each day, or just for important events. It can be a theme like for road trips & travel, Your baby growing up and things especially stories and songs you sang to them when they were infants to sleep.
topics to write in a General journal
-Bucket list – these are things you want to do or try before you die. It can be places to travel, Skydiving, food to try and more.
-Favorites page write & draw everything on this page that is a favorite. your favorite band & logo (or just the logo) naes you like (if any better than your own) movies and so on
-recipe you find
-quotes song lyrics you hear
-the pros & cons of…
-write a short story
-reviews on Books, Movies & TV etc.
-smash ticket stubs & other such type sentimental items inside (esp. if its a travel journal)
Looking on Photobucket for a few samples of what some have done in their journals, I found this beautiful example! Writing of where they were going, what they’ve seen and drawings!
I will add more ideas as I can think of them. You can also let me know any you have in the comments (list as many as you’d like I’d love to do them in my own journal(s).)
Disclaimer
-Image is from an old magazine clipping I have no idea from which but I think it was from the 90s!!!
-My apologies that this is a bit blurry, I did scan it no idea why it looks like that. If you cannot read it, please let me know & I’ll try my best to fix the problem
journal prompts
more ideas, techniques & – show & tells for inspiration
Junk Journal Finale, Paper Dolls, Organizing Ephemera Part 1 at 18.17 the person FINALLY goes through one of the journals instead of just yapping the whole time)
Not into a big bulky journal that you need a bag to lug around it in? Try a pocket notebook, these are great for a lot of things sometimes they come as a set of a blank and a lined one or blank, lines and grid paper all in one book. I always say it’s best to get the blank and then you can make the lines yourself to your liking if you write, leave blank page for drawing.
The pocket journal is great when you are in the book store and just passed a book of interest, but don’t have the money on hand for it? write down the isbn number with the title and author (or as most do now and days you can even take a photo with your phone for a visual as well)
Write that Poem, Shopping list,jot down that story or character or even draw that idea etc. right when you think of it andyou won’t need to scrabble around for a scrap piece of paper that will more likely be tossed when you get home or just lost on the street.
Why are these great for a journal? They are very portable throw it in your back pocket, shirt pocket purse anything. I used pocket journals one year (but i do like to change things up and usually when you write daily they don’t have enough of pages to last a year) but Include Poems, quotes, thoughts on any topic at any moment! A lot of times there’s even a little pocket in the back for movie tickets & such I know Moleskin type usually does, but these soft covers I don’t remember if there was one in the ones I had
More Journaling Diary Smashbook vids
Smash Book? Junk Journal? How about a Theme Journal, pt 1 11:07 love the journaling/envlope flapsI will likely have to make a playlist for the videos on my Youtube account as there are quite a bit I liked to make note of for inspiration and more
6-Easy-Creative-Journal-Writing-Prompts * How-to-Start-a-Private-Journal * keep-a-Great-diary
Let your journey guide your hand
Chosing what kind of journal you want to write, if you want to do themes (see page 3) sample pages,templates (more on way), and more. Chose a journal here (or on one of the other pages I made) or make your own (see page 1) . You will also find prompt 
ideas as well.
What are prompts? a sentence or word that gives you an idea (or is the first sentence) of what to journal. Like Write about your summer vacation, Where did you go on vacation, what did you do there etc.
What License plates did you see on the way to or back from there. (you can even draw them & color in to show the variation especially being I see about 3 – 4 versions of various states (and sometimes there’s the ones with a charity on it) out there, and so on,
What will your journal be about? – General or a theme?
There’s Travel Art there’s also Baby, Pet, Fitness/diet to name a few, Books (what read, want to etc) Same for movies. Even a journal on writing a story (keeping names, places and ideas together, and from experience.. it sucks when you cannot draw up a sketch as to what your character looks like.)
Password & Monster High Journal review
Summer Prompts
Journal Cards
sample journal cards for writing about your relationship with your boy or girlfriend or spouse
Currently……
they even say those that write down what they eat eat less (i guess because we can see what we have, You can see page 3 for more options) I do this, I just note what amount, I don’t really count calories I just go by (or try) serving size. Always think of a serving size being the size of your fist, No bigger.
This is also good as if you are diabetic, or have bad cholesterol you can keep track and then turn it into the doctor to show you were (are) at least trying.
Miss Musings 
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