For years I have been writing a journal. To say I am ‘writing about my life‘ sounds a bit grandiose. As if I can observe and analyse my existence. However it is an attempt to create some record of my day. A lot of entries are more like a diary, simply a record of what happened. On another day I may be more reflective. Often it is quite repetitive. Do I need to record the same walk or run over and over? The main value has been in returning later to more insightful entries. Endeavouring to sort the ‘wheat from the chaff’ here are a few benefits that come to mind. 

An aid to gratitude – my short term memory easily fades. What I had for lunch yesterday is usually of little consequence to remember. Unless maybe if you have food poisoning! However recording events of more import can be helpful. They give awareness of the contours of life. The things that are the same or different. The ebb and flow of both joys and sorrows. There are also blessings which if not counted in some way can easily be lost to mind and heart. Of course many days are mundane. Yet even in the routine there are things to be thankful for. Moments of joy I think are especially important. Like most people during the Covid pandemic I found many days the same. Yet for some reason I journalled nearly every day during this time. In spite of confined Covid ‘lockdowns’ my journal notes show life was also rich!

Quiet evenings; unhurried; fogginess of mind (brain fog); stress despite little activity; furtive shopping; playing guitar; waiting on God; preciousness of relationships; impatience; news overload; irrational fear; auto distancing from people; cleanliness; blurring of the particular and the routine; Zoom and video meetings; online church; discouragement; crosswords; newspapers; clear, blue plane-free skies; sweet birdsong; phone calls; cancelled trips; cancelled races; freedom of trail / mountain running; walks alone, together with Elisabeth and with friends; envying people with gardens; good books, podcasts and music; family fears; solitary but not alone; frustration; weariness; disquiet; sleep; noise of social media; a different future; peace; mortality; resurrection; Ignatian retreat and use of imagination; annoyed with myself; anger at rule breakers; gratitude; face masks; picnics in friend’s gardens; rare meetings with relatives; indecisive; becoming ‘buddy’ to two overseas students; short stays at friends’ cottages between lockdowns; amazing 42+ year Zoom reunion with former colleagues; guilt at things not done.  

Covid ‘lockdown’ musings

A journal can preserve precious moments or times of learning. Sometimes I use the journal as a scrapbook for anything that has made an impression on me. Events or quotes of books read. Or other media such as podcasts, documentaries or films. Anything in nature that has given inspiration or got me thinking. People or encounters that affected me. Even dreams that are vivid. Writing it down and re-reading months or even years later can be a blessing. 

Writing down things learnt before they are forgotten is especially valuable. Maybe a comment someone has made. Wisdom or beauty revealed in unexpected places or people. This discipline can be an aid to curiosity. As years go by there is the temptation to assume there is little that is new or fresh to experience. In fact in asking, seeking and knocking we uncover the opposite. There is mystery and originality out there.

Journalling may show patterns. Looking back I discover the same old struggle or similar questions keep appearing year after year. Like perennial thistles there are certain problems that do not seem to be overcome. A saving grace might be that over time I reframe the problems differently. A new or fresh way of looking at struggles is possible. A bit like changing the border of a painting can alter it’s appearance.

Handwritten or digital? Both have their merits. Digital means I can search and easily find entries. Even when I only recall one word! I use the ‘Day One’ app and have found it excellent. If you buy the ‘bells and whistle’ version you can add lots of photos and videos. All with precise timings, locations, weather etc. automatically recorded. My own inclination is a bit more old fashioned. It is enough to write and maybe include an occasional photo. I don’t see the point of documenting everything that can be measured! Besides, that level of detail is highly unlikely to be of interest 3 or 5 years later. 

Handwritten – before I adopted the digital path I filled notebooks with my ramblings. There is much to be said for this. Sometimes I think it is easier to express thoughts with a pen and paper. That can simply be because I started life before the age of the keyboard. Downside is it is harder to recall and find what you have written!

Journalling may not be for everybody. However if you do take it up do it for yourself. Some things can be shared with others but a journal is primarily personal. Days or weeks may be missed and some entries may just be a few lines or scribbles. Life isn’t tidy and neither is a journal.

Related blog… ‘Everyone Has a Story To Tell’