Journal writing is a voyage to the interior…
Journal writing is a tool arising out of introspection. The journal illuminates the self
Christina Baldwin, One to One [M. Evans & Co., 1991]
Words from a Diarist…
It started about thirty years ago when I got my first little white, vinyl-covered diary with a silver lock and key at the age of seven. I began writing in my journal, and I never stopped. But that’s just part of it -- my writings, my journals, became a part of me.
I began a process that I never stopped. Not only have I been afforded a lens peering at my life through my journals, I have taken on a more experiential approach to the journaling act itself. I have, in a sense, used them as a valuable life tool.
The tool continues to evolve, from a personal sounding board to a creativity enhancing tool, to a biographical tool, etc, wherein I use my journal for personal discovery, self-help, creative writing, recording my family’s history, capturing my own story, and in the case of my literary projects, capturing the stories of others.
My take on it…
~The journal is our way of achieving synthesis in our lives
by allowing us to take an objective look at our subjective musings
~It’s an ongoing conversation with the events of our lives,
seeking meaning and understanding
~Even periodic journal writing can serve as an examination of the intersections between the boundaries of our inner selves and the world around us
~A journal writer’s voice is one of self-discovery
~Journal writing is an experiential journey to the Self
A few of my favorite journal writing resources include:
Creativity
The Artist’ Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julie Cameron
Marry Your Muse: Making a Lasting Commitment to Your Creativity by Jan Phillips
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg
List Your Creative Self: Listmaking as the Way to Unleash your Creativity by Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick
Life Tool
The New Diary: How to Use a Journal for Self Guidance & Expanded Creativity by Tristine Rainer
One to One: Self-Understanding Through Journal Writing by Christina Baldwin
Journal to the Self: Twenty-Two Paths to Personal Growth – Open the Door to Self-Understanding by Reading, Writing, and Creating a Journasl fo Your Life by Kathleen Adams
Soul Catcher: A Journal to Help You Become Who You Really Are by Kathy Eldon and Amy Eldon
Storycatcher: Making Sense of Our Lives through the Power and Practice of Story by Christina Baldwin
Creative Journal: The Art of Finding Yourself by Lucia Capacchione
List Yourself: Listmaking as the Way to Self-Discovery by Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick
Your Mythic Journey: Finding Meaning in Your Life through Writing and Storytelling by Sam Keen and Anne Valley-Fox
Writing to Save Your Life: How to Honor Your Story Through Journaling by Michele Weldon
Jounalution: Journaling to Awaken Your Inner Voice, Heal Your Life and Manifest Your Dreams by Sandy Grason
JournalCards by Sue Meyn. A truly innovative creative journaling tool.
Learn more and get these cards on journalmagic.com
Memoir
Your Life as Story: Discovering the “New Autobiography” and Writing Memoir as Literature by Tristine Rainer
The Illustrated Discovery Journal: Creating a Visual Autobiography of Your Authentic Self by Sarah Ban
Therapy, Healing & Health
The Way of the Journal: A Journal Therapy Workbook for Healing by Katheleen Adams
Opening Up: The Healing Power of Expressing Emotions by James W. Pennebaker
Journal Magic! Lessons in Therapeutic Writing by Sue Meyn
Writing from the Inside Out: Using a Journal for Personal Growth and Transformation by Susan Borkin
Unwritten Letters: Letter Writing as a Way to Finish Unfinished Business of Your Life by Ilene Segalove and Paul Bob Velick
Writing to Heal: A Guided Journal for Recovering from Tauma & Emotional Upheaval by James Pennebaker
The Journey from the Center to the Page: Yoga Philosophies and Preactices as Muse for Authentic Writing by Jeff Davis
Loss and Greiving
Angel Catcher: A Journal of Loss and Remembrance by Kathy Eldon and Amy Eldon
Writing to Heal the Soul: Transforming Greif and Loss Through Writing by Susam Zimmermann
General
The Many faces of Journaling: Topics & techniques for Personal Journal Writing by Linda Senn
A Book of One’s Own: People and Their Diaries by Thomas Mallon
Couples
Journal to Intimacy: A Guided Journal for Sustaining Love by Rose Offner
All About Us by Philipp Keel
The Book of Us: A Journal of Your Love Story in 150 Questions by David and Kate Marshall
Teens
Don’t Give It Away!: A Workbook of Self –Awareness and Self-Affirmations for Young Women by Iyanla Vanzant
Journal to the Soul for Teenagers by Rose Offner
All About Me Teenage Edition: The Story of Your Life by Philipp Keel
Creative Journal for Teens by Lucia Capacchione
Through My Eyes: A Journal for Teens by Linda Kranz
Spirituality
Inner Voyager: A journal for Intuitive and Spiritual Discovery by Deborah Bergman
Letters from the Soul: Unsent Letters and Stories for Spiritual Growth by Rose Offner
Life’s Companion: Journal Writing as a Spiritual Quest by Christina Balwin
A Few Great Journal Writing Links:
Center for Journal Therapy www.journaltherapy.com
Center for Autoboigraphic Studies www.storyhelp.com
Journal Magic www.journalmagic.com
Storycatcher Network http://storycatcher.net
Life Journal Software www.lifejournal.com
|
