Different Topics for Journal Writing

A journal is a document -- in a physical notebook or on the computer -- in which you regularly record your thoughts, feelings and reactions. Whatever type of journaling you choose to do, just remember to turn off your "inner editor," that little voice in your mind that obsessively criticizes your grammar and spelling. You are writing for yourself, without judging whether it is profound or wise.

Goals

• One key to successful journaling is to silence your critical inner editor.

  The goal-driven journal is organized around a particular goal or task you want to accomplish. For example, you may want to lose a certain amount of weight, reach a certain level of fitness, fix up your house to get it ready to sell or overcome procrastination. You can journal about your progress toward your goal -- reflecting on hitting milestones and encountering and overcoming setbacks -- and encouraging yourself to keep on striving.

Events

• A fitness and exercise journal is an example of a goal-driven journal.

  Related to the goal-driven journal is the event-driven journal -- a journal you keep as you plan to participate in a specific event. For example, you may be preparing for your daughter's wedding, organizing a conference, going on a trip overseas or taking a course to learn something you have always been interested in. This kind of journal will help you recall all the experiences of the event after it is long over, as well as help you reflect on your thoughts and feelings as it is occurring.

Daily

• Journaling about a once-in-a-lifetime trip overseas will help you recall the trip later.

  In the daily diary, you record your responses to the events of your day. You may choose to focus on one particular event, whether it was frustrating, challenging, joyous or memorable -- or a combination thereof -- or you may choose to review several events. You can recount as much or as little as you choose, then ponder how you handled the day, what you learned from it and perhaps what you plan to do differently in the future.

Personal Growth

• Daily journaling can bring closure to a busy or frustrating day.

  Journaling specifically about personal issues and relationships can be very helpful. This may be done in conjunction with personal therapy or participation in a growth group, or you can do it on your own. By focusing particularly on your feelings, attitudes and responses to others, you can gain deeper awareness of your own dynamics and of the effect you have on others.

Spirituality

• Reflecting on the way you relate to others can bring greater self-awareness.

  If you engage in a regular spiritual practice such as prayer, meditation or devotional study, then the spirituality journal is a place to record your process. If you use a devotional book, then you can note what the book offers, then journal your responses. If you practice meditation or pray regularly, then you can reflect upon the spiritual insights that come to you. If you're struggling with your faith, then you may find that keeping a spiritual journal is a helpful way to reflect upon and record your difficulties, doubts and questions.

Creativity

• You can incorporate journaling into your spiritual practice.

  Writers and artists use creative journals to quickly jot down thoughts, phrases and character sketches. Carry a creative journal everywhere possible, so that it will be readily available when an evocative thought or image occurs to you. Later, you can flip through your journal to look for gems, which may become part of a novel, painting, short story or poem.