Those who keep personal journals...

[Anna]

This is for college kids and adults doing journal writing... not on the computer.

Do you write on both sides of each 2-page layout or do you only write on the right hand side?

And what type of heading to you write before each entry?

Thanks.

[Nicole M]

This is for college kids and adults doing journal writing... not on the computer.

Do you write on both sides of each 2-page layout or do you only write on the right hand side?

And what type of heading to you write before each entry?

Thanks.

I guess no one does this?!

I used to keep a written journal and always used every bit of available space. I only put the date at the top.

I don't keep a real "journal" anymore. I read here about someone who has a friend who keeps a book with receipts and ticket stubs paperclipped to the pages, and I started doing that this year. I have a lovely calendar planner from Barnes & Noble for this. I write in some comments, but not many. It serves as a record of our days, which was my intent.

I just purchased a blank notebook today, to use as I read the great books, using The Well-Educated Mind as a guide. (I was inspired by Lisa in NY who just finished Don Quixote.) I will use both pages there, too. Though today I was thinking that I might leave the left side for funny or interesting quotes. I read the first two chapters last night and it's hysterical.

Does that help?

[Carol in Cal.]

That way I can write on both sides of the spread page.

I usually have a theme for a journal--I don't keep them all the time. For instance, a few years ago I took DD to a daycamp that was quite a drive from our house. I planned self-reflection, trips to yarn shops and beaches, and a visit with an old friend for the week. I bought a journal specifically for that week.

So I had a few pages for each day--I started them with the date and wrote down what I did and anything I thought was significant.

But I also made lists as they came to mind, and they were in different sections of the journal. (This was pretty informal. I would just open it toward the back and start new pages.) So, for instance, I started thinking about what I would like to make out of clay, and made a list of about 15 projects. I started a list of favorite inspiring sayings, hymn lines, and Bible verses (that got quite long). I listed all the homeschooling stuff that I wanted to check on or study. I had a list of the major and minor subject areas that I wanted to cover homeschooling our upcoming year. I had a list of knitting projects. I had a list of what I wanted to get everyone for Christmas (it was August at the time.) I had other things as well--but I didn't really plan these. They were just the logical results of my thoughts and reflections over that week.

Sometimes I start a journal about something specific, like marriage or motherhood or God. Usually those have various headings, but are not ever filled or finished.

[Anna]

Nicole and Carol,

Yes, your posts help. That's what I'm wanting-- ideas on ways to do it and even thoughts on the pros and cons of the different types of books available for journaling. I need for ours to be in a book format, not on computer. And they need to be smallish-- 5x7, roughly.

To use with my college kids, I just bought 2 books and both of them are 5x7 spiral-bounds, with hard front/back covers. I really don't know if the other types of bindings are better or not. To use with my dh, I have a sewn book. And then my smallest book is a small leather one and only I write in it.

Also, where do you find the largest selection of books? I love having choices when I purchase a book for journaling. Most of mine were purchased at Barnes & Noble. Is there a better place for choices?

[Carol in Cal.]

Also, where do you find the largest selection of books? I love having choices when I purchase a book for journaling. Most of mine were purchased at Barnes & Noble. Is there a better place for choices?

I have gotten my favorites at independent bookstores, our local Waldorf school Christmas fair, and museum stores--tech or art or natural history.

Those little plain black ones are nice, but hard to get to open flat; and the pages are sewn in which is sometimes nice and sometimes a real problem.

Right now my favorites are those ones that have the wrap around covers and are made to look like very old leather bound books. They close with a small magnetic strip and they are just beautiful. They are popping up all over the place.

[Anna]

Right now my favorites are those ones that have the wrap around covers and are made to look like very old leather bound books. They close with a small magnetic strip and they are just beautiful.

The one I purchased for me to use and carry around with me, looks like an old, tan, leather book only there's no magnetic strip. I know what you mean... saw some at B&N with the strip. Mine has a thin flat leather strap that winds a couple times around the book and you can tuck the end underneath to keep it wound.

Maybe next time I buy one I'll try one with the strip. Thanks.