Have you ever done personal journaling?

2015-07-25T07:26:26-04:00

Journaling, or writing down one's own story, thoughts, feelings, or ideas, is becoming a lost art. Blogs are taking its place. Then again, blogs aren't as popular as Facebook. But journaling as a way of processing your journey or story...... have you done it? Do you journal now? What about it do you find helpful? If you don't keep a journal, is there any particular reason why you don't?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 25 at 2015 7:27 AM

2015-07-25T07:27:11-04:00

How long have you kept a journal?

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 25 at 2015 7:30 AM

2015-07-25T07:30:57-04:00

I do I like the art of writing more than the computer. The words a something to look at and capture the story of me. Although some things are not positive this helps me with my optimiism.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 25 at 2015 8:09 AM

2015-07-25T08:09:41-04:00

I try to write something daily but for a about a year it has been mainly in the morning to start the day

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 25 at 2015 10:47 AM

2015-07-25T10:47:56-04:00

Yes. I am a voracious writer and it helps when I get stuck to look back at past success or failure. It's a good road map

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Jul 25 at 2015 12:55 PM

2015-07-25T12:55:23-04:00

I started writing a journal in 2001. That was the lowest pint in my life. I wrote Down the hurts, the happy times and observations I saw in the world. As I went along writing I was able to look back and see the progress I had made in my personal life. It probably saved my life since I was nearly ready to check out of this hotel called earth. God woke me up. Then I wrote a book directly from my journals and it was published. It won a national award and sold many copies. Journaling is extremely important for putting down your thoughts. It helps you grow through the pain.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 1:30 PM

2015-07-25T13:30:06-04:00

I kept a continuous diary (three separate little "black books") throughout my Navy years only. It included boot camp, Class "A" schools, stateside liberties, my different ships, Viet Nam, and all our ports of call. I have only glanced at them once in over forty years.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-07-25T14:01:17-04:00

Response by SPC Anne Miller made Jul 25 at 2015 9:23 PM

2015-07-25T21:23:39-04:00

I began journaling when I was ten years old. I had years of journals "taken" from me. Most troubling are the personal journals I had written while serving active duty with a top secret clearance. Since I have discovered their "lost," I've chosen to keep most thoughts in my head. I do blog, however. That way, I can never lose them. It is directly uploaded to One Drive, which I have worked diligently to assure only I have access.
It is a shame I feel as though I can no longer put words to paper. Perhaps, one day.
I have created a channel on YouTube as Anne de la Louisiane. Therein contain simple musings, very trivial things, and some very important things.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 25 at 2015 9:44 PM

2015-07-25T21:44:39-04:00

My counselors have encouraged me to keep a journal, they say I will learn about me. I'm afraid to commit to writing, no that's an excuse. I really don't where to start, I sometimes think that I am better off keeping the walls up, rather than looking inside and possibly knocking down my protection.
Thank you Chaplain, another thought provoking question.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 27 at 2015 8:47 PM

2015-07-27T20:47:56-04:00

I published journals on Smashwords of my experiences at Infantry School and my tour of duty in Vietnam. I offer them for free to offset the vestiges of the poor journalism that predominated in those times. I also write short stories and novels. These are heavily influenced by the realities that I learned in my experiences.

Response by PV2 Greg Hitchcock made Aug 4 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-08-04T13:10:57-04:00

I find writing things down on paper or on the computer (ex. appointments, budgets, etc.) keeps me sane.
Although I have tried personal journaling, I seem not to develop the habits to update it frequently and without updating a personal journal, things get put off.