JanMarie Kelly - Journaling Tools: Creative, Thought Provoking Prompts, Ideas & Tips (Writing Prompts & Exercises)

Thank you for respecting the hard work of thisauthor. If you would like to use this information inan educational/classroom setting, please first email me at Requests for special permission should beaddressed to: JanMarie Kelly Email: Phone: (717)456-0876 Website: www.janmariekelly.com Table of Contents JOURNALING TODAY Todays journals are not like the diaries ofyesterday, at least in most instances. Unlike the simple recordingof a days events in the diaries of the past, today, although theycan still be a record of ones life, journals are more aboutself-exploration. Journaling is a way to get to know yourselfinside and out. With journaling you can: Get laser focused on whats really important toyou. Work through stressful events Record memories of important events.

Work out problems more effectively. Work through your goals and future plans. Preserve and pass along your personal history. Learn more about your talents, skills, dreams andpassions. Of course there are many types of journalsand some are kept primarily to keep track (record) of specificevents or behaviors etc., however, many journalers use theirpersonal journals to delve deep within themselves and explore allof the mysteries and wonders that make them who they are. Journaling can also be a great idea creationtool.

While exploring yourself and your world many bits and piecesof interesting information will be traipsing through your mind justwaiting to be harvested and used in your next amazing creation. JOURNAL TYPES Ask fifty different journalers what type ofjournal they keep and youll likely get fifty different responses.Since journals are a reflection of those that keep them it is nowonder they come in so many different forms. Let us start by stating the two main forms ofjournals that all journals, regardless of their content, fallunder: 1. Freestyle 2. Structured A Freestyle journal is just what it soundslike, no set rules just a blank page where you mind can wander andrecord whatever it likes in any form that it likes. Freestylejournals can use prompts, include drawings, or make up its own typeof entry.

A structured journal is also what it soundslike, a little more formal, think Fill-In-The-Blank typejournals. A place where you answer questions or a set prompt. (eg.A baby journal/book walking you through your babys firstyear.) Now let us walk through some of the manydifferent types of journals that people keep within the two formsmentioned above: Diary Style Journal This is a record of your life, more or less,for instance the headlines of the day, weather, important lifeevents. Some people will add clippings, ticket stubs, letters, etc.to this type of journal as mementos and keepsakes. This is like apersons life story (biography) of sorts with all the importanthappenings to that individual. Exercise/Nutritional Journal This type of journal is kept by folksembarking on either a new exercise or nutritional program orsomeone interested in noting which exercises or foods give them thefeel and the look they are after.

They can also be kept as generalhealth journals to document their health and the contributingfactors. Dream Journal These journals are usually written the firstthing in the morning so that the journaler is sure to capture themost details from the dream. Some people like to just note thedreams they have others like to delve into their meanings and usetheir dream journals to aid in researching the symbolism within thedreams. Travel Journal This type of journal is usually kept bysomeone who travels frequently. It can be just a record of wherethey went and when or a much more detailed account of each tripincluding the food, people and events they encountered while ateach place. These journals can be used to suggest future places totravel to or places to stay/visit if they, or a friend, everdecides to revisit.

These journals, like diaries, can also includeextras within their pages. Things like postcards, photos,restaurant menus, ticket stubs, etc. from each destination. Readers Journal This type of journal may be used by avidreaders to track which books theyve read or plan to read, whichbooks theyve given as gifts (and maybe even why), pieces ofimportant information from certain books and much more. It can evencontain where each book originated from, the price of the book, andwhether it is in your inventory or lent out. awedding, a pregnancy, a job search, renovating your house, etc.)You would keep a very detailed account of everything that wasinvolved in the event and even add things like pictures, brochures,design plans, contracts, etc. awedding, a pregnancy, a job search, renovating your house, etc.)You would keep a very detailed account of everything that wasinvolved in the event and even add things like pictures, brochures,design plans, contracts, etc.

Detailing how you felt along the way,what your thoughts were about certain aspects of the events andwhat you might do differently if the event ever arose in thefuture. Gratitude Journal This has become a very popular journal formany. Who doesnt want to look back on their days and see all thegood that they have enjoyed. This journal can be something assimple as listing 2-10 things that you are grateful for each day,to the more in depth recording of why you are grateful for yourlist of things that day. Some people write in this journal everyevening to look back over the day and pick out the good itpresented. Others jot down things throughout the day as they occur.This is one journal that can come in handy to lift your spirits ondays you may feel things are just not going well, you read throughyour gratitude journal and you realize just how blessed you reallyare.

Group Journal This type of journal is not for the privateperson as it is kept among a certain number of people. It can besomething were each member of the group records something about theday, or it could be one that is passed around and each member getsto write in the journal for specific time period. This type ofjournal can be very enlightening by giving its members the chanceto learn a great deal about each other, building strongerunderstanding and perhaps stronger bonds. Self-Help/Development Journal Journaling has long been touted as a greatway for people to deal with emotions and self-understanding andthis type of journal is focused on just that, exploring andhopefully improving ones state of mind and outlook. It also offersthe opportunity to monitor what triggers certain things in yourlife, as well as your progress to improving. Special Projects Journal This type of journal can be utilized foreither a new large project or for a very detailed project wherelots of information is needed and even perhaps changes frequently.This journal would hold all of the information needed for theparticular project without having to retain all of the details inyour mind.

It could also serve to train new people, share insightsinto what things worked and what things didnt, and serve as arecord as to when things were completed. Gardening Journal This type of journal can be kept by beginninggardeners or avid gardeners. It can be a record of what thingswhere planted, where they were planted, when, the conditions, andany other imaginable information that the gardener may deemimportant to repeating their success or avoiding their failure inthe future. Many times pictures or sketches will accompany thejournal. Ideas Journal This type of journal is an open sort ofjournal. A place where you can let your creativity flow and yourimagination run wild.