I first started a journal when I was in elementary school. I wrote in it sporadically and when I found it years later, I had to laugh at what I found inside. My childish observations about what was important to me had me in stitches. :)
I also kept a journal through most of my middle school and high school years. The entries are more random, and I usually only wrote when something "big" happened.
My journal writing really picked up when I was in college. For the first time I was on my own, and I thought it was important to record everything I experienced as a college student. While I didn't write every day, I did write at least 3 times a week. I really like going back and reading those entries-there are a lot of great conversations and moments with Matt that are recorded there.
I was more strict with my journal writing when I was student teaching. We had to keep "focus binders," complete with typed daily lesson plans, any handouts we gave our students, feedback from our field instructors, and student work examples. I also kept a daily journal on what happened in school and put a new entry in every afternoon. I would come home from school and immediately write for 10-15 minutes about my experiences in the classroom. Not only did it help me understand my students, but it gave my field instructor and I a chance to discuss some deeper issues than he discussed with his other men-tees. I even turned my journal into a final project for my grad class that year-I combined my observations and insights with my students' entries. It was fabulous and I still have two bound copies here in storage.
Since then, I haven't journaled-unless you count the blog. I really miss the process of writing, and I think I was a stronger writer when I journaled on a regular basis. It gave me a chance to explore different aspects of my personality, as well as giving me time to reflect on things that have happened.
Earlier today I was wandering in Barnes and Noble. I had some money left on a gift card I was given for Christmas, and I wasn't sure what I wanted to pick up. I found myself by the journals when the one at right stood out to me. What if one of my personal goals this year could be keeping a journal? I won't write everyday-I never have with the exception of my school journal-but I could make myself write often enough so I can look back years from now and see what I was doing and thinking.
I grabbed the journal and bought it with the remaining money on the card (Are you shocked I didn't pick up a book? Me too). The goal is a simple one-to write at least three times a week for 15 minutes about whatever strikes my fancy. I think it'll be a great compliment to everything else I am trying to accomplish this year-the weight loss, the progress on my reading project, and boosting my self-esteem.
So here are my questions for you, dear readers...
Do you write in a journal? If so, how often? Does journaling help you?
I will let you know in small updates how my process is going. I have a feeling it is going to help me more than I know!