I do not journal daily, but I do use it as a coping mechanism when I am processing strongly emotional events. I do not go back and read what I've written because my whole reason for writing is to purge.

My grandfather kept a daily weather and lake status journal that he would refer back to when there was a discussion about past events.

My aunt kept a journal for as long as I knew her, till she died. Every day she would write the weather, and what she did. If she had lunch with someone, gardening, something to do with the horses (they raced and bred standardbreds). I'm not sure if she wrote about her deepest thoughts, but I'm sure that would be a good idea.

I used to, daily even. I am glad I did. I should go back to it. It really helps you see what hurdles you've overcome, accomplishments, reveals your tender spots, good stuff, all of it! If you can keep it up enough. Or get deep enough as jasdip said. But, for me, this is a journal no one has read except me. I'm not sure I'd show anyone that one.

I jot down things that happen each day on a word document

I wish~~we had to do journal in a yoga class I took through our community college, it was our homework assignment. I loved doing it. I did not always write my feelings, I would put down quotes that I like. I also got in to making small collages, by cutting pictures or words out my yoga magazines and arranging them on the pages, The teacher never read them, just looked to make sure we were doing it, but she did stop and look at my collages. It was really fun~

I started one after husband passed away, because the grief classes were at night, and I did not like driving due to distance etc. It has helped me and now I am adding bits and pieces.

I have scrapbooked and hidden my journaling that was private behind certain places. I certainly don't do it regularly.

I've been keeping some sort of journal (sporadically) since I was 13. I still have that first diary, and it's a treasure!

I've used desk diaries, computer programs, and Word. These days I mostly use a program called The Journal.

A couple of days ago I posted in my blog two journal entries from 1974.

Here is a link that might be useful: From My Journal 1974

I wish I did consistently. I very often keep one when I am trying to sort something out. If I feel particularly troubled, I write about it and see where those thoughts take me. It is almost like a journey that picks up pieces of 'me' as we travel. I don't just write when I am sad.... I write when I need to find answers , solve problems. I do better with paper and pen, but sometimes I write on my computer, especially now when my hands hurt too much of the time. I would advise anyone to take up writing a journal. It is astonishing what can be revealed.

I write in mine periodically when I am trying to sort out something. I also write when I am on a vacation that I want to remember details. I would probably not share my journal with anyone.

I've done it in the past when I'm dealing with something stressful/traumatic or feeling especially troubled or stressed. I don't do it regularly.

Linda in Iowa, I wish I had done a journal when we travels, just road trips but it would have been fun to read it, in my later years;)

I have always wanted to write my feelings and such down. But have been afraid after I am gone, what my kids would think?? My kids have each married a person I found rather difficult;( Had to go to therapy to sort it all out;(

I don't.

I used to every year. I have about eight or nine and I periodically read them. I wonder if I should destroy them , because I don't know if I want others to read them after I'm gone.

I use a pocket calendar. I try to add something to it every day. I have in the past used a wall calendar to let me know what the weather was like and places I had to go, appointments and the kids schedule. Nothing elaborate, I usually keep all my wall calendars and its fun to look back on them.
Mary

I started a journal in 2002 when we wintered in The Villages Florida for the first time. After we bought our house here and settled in (2004) I quit writing. Wish I would have kept it up. Maybe I will start a new one this Christmas. Thanks for the idea.

I've been keeping a journal since January 1995. I have them all kept in my closet. I don't get into any personal feelings or deep thoughts, it's basically just a record of what I did that day along with the weather. I keep my current journal in my bedroom, so it's a little private but there's nothing in there I want to hide from anyone.

I don't on a daily basis. but I have one titled all that crap that I wrote in during my divorce.

I should burn it.

I do however journal on my bike trips.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/giantcycle99

but to be honest... the online journals don't have EVERYTHING that I wrote in my paper journals. Specially my try try again journal. I saw no reason to give my touring partners hurt feelings. I was NOT happy with them.

Moni

When my brother and i traveled around Europe for about 7 weeks just after college, he encouraged me to keep a journal during the trip because he had journaled regularly for years ( I think he still does. ) Years later I came across the journal and enjoyed reading it, but was disappointed that I hadn't done a better job toward the end of the trip of keeping up.

That was not too long before my wife and I took a 6 week voyage on the Semester at Sea ship. She was busy teaching a class on the ship, but I had no official duties, so I keep an online blog during the trip through wordpress and I'm really happy that I did. Often the pictures I post on the "You show me yours ..." thread, are from that trip, and occasionally I have posted a link to it with the picture.

For everyday life I don't think enough of interest happens to make it worth the effort to journal it.

I don't journal, but several years ago I started writing bits and pieces about my life, from the earliest I could remember on up to recent times.

I built a web site with Angelfire and the stories are there. I have given the URL to my children. I know my DS has read some of them because he has mentioned some things he read there; don't know if my DD has or not. I also have pictures from 'way back when, and I plan to add them from time to time.

It is surprising what you can remember once you start writing it down.

Sue

Since I lost my husband and right before I began a journal, now its on my computer on a notepad. Then every month I print it out.......or I could lose it.
I just type out what I did that day, how I felt, what happen, the weather, whatever pops in my mind for that day

It's not shared but when I am gone I'm sure my family will find it. So....I am careful of what I write.

Since I lost my husband and right before I began a journal, now its on my computer on a notepad. Then every month I print it out.......or I could lose it.
I just type out what I did that day, how I felt, what happen, the weather, whatever pops in my mind for that day

It's not shared but when I am gone I'm sure my family will find it. So....I am careful of what I write.

I wrote down "the story of my life"....at least up until about 2000. I haven't finished it. I shared it with people who asked and with my daughter. When I was a teen, I kept a diary. I gave it to my daughter to read when she was a teenager. I wrote about everything...boys, where I went, what I did. When I go back and read it, I am surprised how much I remember, that otherwise would have been long ago forgotten.

I also write in a journal. I think I have 3 or 4 of them. I don't write every day but try to keep up with visitors, planting, special moments, etc. I don't plan on destroying my journals, sure family would get a few chuckles reading them when I'm gone. I try hard not to write anything that might hurt ones feelings.
I sometimes think I would like to have a secret journal where I could really let it all out sometimes.

I took a Psych class in college, we were required to journal and turn it in each week. Over the weekend the instructor made notes & returned them. "Never" again! :0)

Her notes to me were how insightful I was and how I had a gift and should go into psychology. "NOT!"...lol

I wrote down casual observations of my classmates & how my hobbies were progressing....and that earned me her accolade. :0)

I thought the instructor was a "mess", her life was a mess...I didn't include those thoughts in my journal. :0)

No. I used to have a diary when I was a teenager, then threw it away later...I don't want to write anything personal, and the rest is boring...It's cold out, I fixed chicken for dinner, I vacuumed...yawn.
I have an appointment book, that's good enough to keep track of appointments and anything else I want to remember.

I recently gave my dear grandniece a journal for her 12th birthday....she loved it.
I keep a journal when we travel.....interesting to read about the price of gasoline, the temperature, where and what we ate and how much it cost over the years.
I have decided I will start a journal for the year 2014......especially about my gardening experiences. And the cute things my grandkids say and do.
Thanks for the reminder!

I'm torn about destroying journals. What do I care if anyone reads it AFTER I'm gone. I can't do anything about it. Right? I think. And maybe, they'd be fun reading for your progeny. Depends though. I've written things on GW that it really didn't matter who read it. So maybe an ultrasecret journal, but most, probably make no difference. Consider leaving it for your future generations. Just a suggestion!

Here is a link that might be useful: every day stuff journal

Over the centuries, journals have made a huge contribution to our knowledge of history. As just one example, we wouldn't know very much about those who traveled in covered wagons to settle the West if it weren't for those intrepid women who journaled their experiences--even when it was unimaginably difficult to do so. (They often had to make their own ink!)

I'm definitely saving mine. I hope if my family still has them 100 years from now someone will be able to read cursive writing.....