Organizing the Mind with Journals

The contents of this post will probably surprise the readers who are closest to me.  I'm going to reveal one of the most intimate practices I do to help me get the thoughts that swirl around in my head into a concrete storage space.

The secret?

I journal.

I'm not talking about a diary-type journal - at least, not just a diary-type journal, since I sort-of do that, too.

What I do is something that may puzzle you at first, but will probably inspire you to do the same by the end of this reading.

Let me break it down.

I walk around with surges of thoughts, ideas, and images in my mind constantly.  I go about my day trying to slot those into categories within my head.  Only, I'm pretty sure my head doesn't have that many short-term file folders.  I used to think that I would remember everything, but we all know that's simply not possible. 

Besides, the gushes of ideas often come to me in lists.  A little about this, a little about that, and, oh, look, something about that over there.  None of the ideas are really processed as they're coming to the surface.  They're just ideas that I keep filing for deeper interaction at later date.

One day, I thought about how I could manage these thoughts so that I didn't forget them, and so that I could eventually dig deeper into them.

Only a few of the journals I own.

That's how I developed a notebook system that I like to refer to as journaling since it sounds much more sophisticated. 

I don't own one journal where I plop down my brainstorms.  Instead, I have many.  Many, many.

Here's how I organize my mind.  It is the system I use to get all of the waves of ideas and thoughts, and dreams and happenings out of my head, and onto paper.

This was my first gratitude journal.

Types of Journals for Clearing the Mind

• Gratitude Journal: I would like to thank Oprah for this one as she inspired the idea of writing down 5 things at the end of every day that I'm thankful for.  I have to say that I do not use this daily - not because I don't have something to be thankful for - but because sometimes, I'd rather do something else.  I didn't want this book to be about pressure since we all know what happens when we feel like we "have" to do something.  Instead, this is about those days when I feel like everything went wrong.  That's when I look to the little precious moments and record them.  This journal then makes for a good read when I'm having a difficult day. 
• Poetry Journal: Yes. I write poetry.  No. I won't share them with you.  For some reason, when I'm feeling uneasy, this is the journal I reach to first.  Maybe it's because in a few words I can express the emotions.  I don't really know why, but I love this particular journal the most.

My poetry journal - blurred intentionally.

Art journal - mostly doodles, but words do make their appearance from time to time.

• Art Journals: Yes.  I like to doodle, too.  These are the journals I reach for when I'm feeling creative and don't quite find the words I need to express my feelings.  I tend to combine sketches with words, however.  Funny how that happens.

Another art journal

• Dreamer's Journal: This is an interesting one and differs from a dream journal where dreams (as in the sleep-related kind) are analyzed.  This is the place I write down all of the ideas I have for future aspirations like projects I'd like to start, activities I'd like to do, and laws I'd like to change.  Ok.  Maybe not that last one, but let's just say there's a lot of world-changing ideas in this book.  And, because of that, no, I won't share this journal with you either.

Dreamer's journal - blurred so you don't steal my dreams (go create your own!)

• Remedies Journal: This notebook really helps me in a bind.  Over the years, I've tried tons of alternative remedies with my son.  But, even though I thought I'd remember everything that worked, I'd often find myself in a panic when he got sick.  It's as though the less logical part of my mommy brain came to live with me.  So, I started keeping a journal of remedies that worked - categorized by ailment, and easy to refer to while frantic.  It's tiny enough that it easily slips it into a handbag.

Alternative remedies that worked are recorded in this journal

Craft journals

• Craft Journals: These are fun ones.  Sewing, knitting, crocheting, scrapbooking, and paper crafts make it into this book.  I mostly jot down notes and tips as I'm working on a project so that I can refer to them in the future (to avoid the same errors or to make it better the next time).
• Prayer Journal: This is a new one for me - only started it in January.  I'd been wanting to start this journal for a while. It's a private place where I have conversations with God.  This is probably most like a diary, only, it's not.

Prayer Journal

Idea journal and gliding ink pen for ease when writing in the middle of the night.

• Idea Journal: This one sits in the top drawer of my nightstand, along with a gliding ink pen.  I use this mostly in the dark - when an idea strikes me in the wee hours of the morning.  I don't even bother switching on a light. I just scribble in some thoughts and revisit it in the morning. I tear the page out and stick it in the appropriate journal.
• Business Planning Journal: This journal is where I plan the Green Home Today/ Shaklee stuff. It's how these blog posts come to fruition.

Business planning journal

My favorite journal design.  The cover is stunning, the pages are blank, the pencil is portable and the elastic band keeps all the ideas from spilling out into the world too soon.

Tips to getting started on journaling:

1. Select beautiful notebooks.  Nothing inspires more than a gorgeously designed notebook.  And, if you can't find a design you like, cover one up using pretty scrapbooking paper (see Business Planning journal above as an example).
2. Collect journal books as you find them.  I always keep a stash of new notebooks on my shelf. When I'm in the stationery department and find notebooks that draw me in, I buy them - even if I don't have a purpose for them at the time.  Later, when I'm inspired, I don't have to wait to go out and buy a new book. I just pull one off my shelf and get creating!
3. Select 3 of your passions, and start a corresponding journal.  Think of the ideas that are constantly floating around in your mind.  What categories are those in?  Stop them from roaming around in space and put the thoughts into a concrete storage space.  Only start with three so that you don't become so overwhelmed that you don't use them.

Journal books sitting on my shelf, waiting to be chosen.

Other types of journals to inspire you:

• food journal
• wine journal
• pregnancy journal
• baby journal
• wedding planning journal
• travel journal
• fitness journal
• dream journal (as in the sleep-related kind)

Why so many journals?

I could easily have started one journal and just had everything recorded in one spot.  But, since I'm naturally organized, I felt that each of my ideas needed a home, too - bunking in with similar ideas.  You know - so that they can all get along in there. That's also how I know where to find the thoughts when I need to process them deeper.


Do you journal?  Do you keep thematic notebooks or is everything pretty much in one book?  Do you have some favorite resources to share?


Resources for you:

A Brief History of Journal Writing (article by Center for Journal Therapy that also explains the benefits of journaling)
Penzu (a free online journal site)
Journal Writing Prompts (writing your memories from Creative Writing Now)
A Goldmine of Journal Writing Prompts (with books lists and tons of links)
One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book (a popular book for anyone wanting to journal, but worried about not having enough time - affiliate link to my Amazon shop)
Wreck this Journal (a journal you're meant to destroy as you work on it - affiliate link to my Amazon shop)

Related article on this blog:

Finding Meal Inspirations is Easier Than You Think (on creating a food journal)