I’ve got a fresh new journaling interview, just for you. My goal with these interviews is to introduce you to your fellow journalers, perhaps open you up to some new ways of journaling, and to illustrate that there are as many ways to keep a journal as there are journal keepers. If you’d like to do a future interview, be sure to drop me a line.
Today we’ll hear from Dolly over at Journal Addict (LOVE the name!). Dolly writes about journaling and provides some great prompts, tips and ideas so be sure to check out her site after you read the interview.
Hellllooo Dolly!
How did you get started journaling?
When I was 17, keeping a journal became very appealing. You know, your typical teenager with secrets to share. I regret very much that I didn’t start earlier, but it just did not occur to me, as I hadn’t been around anyone who kept a journal.
How long have you been journaling?
My first journal was irregular and lasted for 3 years. But I have been keeping a regular journal for over 8 years now.
How often do you write?
I write almost every day.
Where do you write?
Mostly at home, but also outside if I get a chance. These days that means either on the bus, or at the bus stop, but definitely always at home.
Do you prefer morning or night?
No preference. I can write any time.
Do you have a preferred journal or notebook?
I like good quality journals, and I have used all different ones over the years. I am not really a fan of spiral binding, and I prefer either beautiful journals, or moleskines. I love moleskines, but I only discovered those about year and a half ago, so before that I bought all these fancy journals. Now, it depends on what I feel like, but I do prefer blank pages as opposed to lined.
Do you use prompts or free writing or a combination?
I use a combination. My journal includes details of my life, but when I want to explore further into my mind/heart, or simply do a lot more journaling, I use prompts.
Have you ever found it necessary to take a break from journaling?
No. After the first journal in which I didn’t write regularly, journaling has only become more and more important to me over the years. I don’t think there could be any reason why I would stop writing. In fact, I always strive to write more.
Has journaling contributed to any important changes or events in your life?
I don’t think it had a tangible affect, but it has certainly helped me know myself better, and also given me a place to vent my emotions instead of keeping them bottled up, so I think it has helped me indirectly.
What has surprised you most about journaling?
How much of a pleasure the act of keeping a journal is, and how important it is to me.
What’s your biggest journaling challenge that you’ve had to overcome?
To stop writing just negative things, and focus on positives in my life.
What’s your biggest journaling roadblock or hurdle?
None any more.
Advice for journaling newbies?
Journal regularly. Even if it’s just one or two sentence. You need to bond with your journal, enjoy the act of recording your life. And be honest. If you can’t be open with your journal, it’s a waste of time.
Anything else you’d like to share?
If everyone kept a journal, we would have far more accurate history of the world and of a time than all the history books put together. Your life is special, and it deserves to be recorded, even if no one else reads it after you are dead. It is also an art, to be able to articulate in words what often seems mundane, and every day. I wish more people would do it, and appreciate it.
Thanks so much to Dolly for this interview.
