journaling

 Journaling

“Ugh, journaling is so boring.”, “It’s just a waste of time.“  

Do people like journaling? Fools. They are needlessly consuming time and paper.

‘YOU WISH,’

They are investing in themselves, unlike you. Through journaling, you can focus on the moral aspects of life and preserve important details of your daily experiences. Yeah, can you remember what you ate for yesterday’s meal and what made you smile?

Oh, too bad you don’t remember...

Journaling is writing thoughts and feelings in a book or diary to document life events and experiences. It can help people develop a deeper sense of self-awareness, mindfulness, and creativity.

I understand why some people think journaling can be self-absorbed. But it can also be a great way to figure out what you’re thinking and feeling. It’s not about being selfish, it’s about knowing yourself better, which can help you grow as a person.

That’s a good point. Journaling can feel like a chore to some. It’s important to reflect on yourself that you actually enjoy. If journaling isn’t your thing, maybe try something like drawing or talking to a friend.

While doing stuff like exercise and hobbies is great for self-care, journaling can also be a helpful tool. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time. Even a few minutes of writing your thoughts can help you understand yourself better, which can make other self-care stuff even more effective.

Now making it a habit is hard. So here is something I would recommend...

1 Doodling

If you like drawing and doodling, doodle your day. It’s both fun and optimistic. You can have a special journal for it.

2. Video journal

It’s pretty therapeutic to record yourself. Whether it’s your phone or a camera, record yourself talking about your day, highlighting what made it unique.

3 Reflective journaling

Reflective journaling is a practice of recording and analyzing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences to gain insight into yourself and your world. It can help you learn from your experiences, grow, and deepen your relationships.

4 Morning pages

Morning journaling is a way to capture your thoughts and feelings to set the tone for your day. Share your thoughts, including dreams, positive and negative happenings, and worries.

5 Unsent letter journal

An unsent letter is a journaling exercise that involves writing a letter that you don’t intend to send. A place to write the words you wish you could say.

6 Gratitude Journal

It’s a type of journal in which you express your thankfulness and gratitude. This helps you recognize and appreciate the good things in your life.

7 Bullet journal

This is one of the most used and popular journals, and it includes graphs, calendars, lists, and other such items.

8 dream journal

If you believe in dreams that you see, have some signs. You should try this one as soon as you wake up, write about the dream that you had. It helps you track your dreams so you can look for any patterns and symbolism.

9 Travel journal

A travel journal is a personal record of your experiences, thoughts, and feelings while travelling. It can be a collection of stories, memories, and discoveries about the places you visit, the people you meet, and the adventures you have. 

1O Your own journal

As we delve deeper, we find various and hundreds of types of journals-food journals, collage, freewriting and the list goes on...

You are free to invent any journaling practice that you're comfortable with.

There are various types of journals and each one serves various purposes, but what matters most is your perception of journaling as a relieving and rewarding activity. It should be a source of joy and a way to express yourself, rather than a chore. Whatever method you choose, it’s about finding a practice that resonates with you and enhances your self-awareness and creativity. Make it your own and enjoy the process!

       

-Ave author

Being writer

 I used to be a pretty average kid. I mean, I liked reading and all, but writing? Not so much. That all changed one boring summer day in 5th grade. I decided to try my hand at a horror story, but, let's just say, it never quite made it past the first chapter.

Then, in 7th grade, I picked up my pen again. And that was it. I was hooked. My characters became my best friends, my confidants. I’d rush home from school, eager to dive back into their world. I know, it sounds a bit weird, preferring fictional friends to real ones. But hey, it’s true!

Writing is my happy place. It’s where I can express myself without fear of judgment. I’m not a fan of typing on a computer. There’s something special about putting pen to paper and feeling the words flow onto the page.

The hardest part of writing? Naming characters. It’s like trying to pick a name for a real person! And don’t even get me started on plot holes. Sometimes, I’ll write along, feeling confident, and then BAM! A gaping hole in the story. It’s so frustrating!

I’ve never been one to worry about publishing. I just love the process of creating. Whether a short story or a novel, the journey is the reward.

If you ever dream of seeing your novel on bookshelves, you must be consistent. Otherwise, it'll just sit there, unfinished, forever. When you hit a plot snag, don't be afraid to bounce ideas off your friends. You need to get creative and think outside the box. And trust me, the best part about finishing a novel is figuring out the ending. At first, you're clueless, but by the end, it all clicks into place. I never thought I'd finish my first novel, let alone come up with such a mind-blowing ending. It was the happiest moment of my life!

Since we've reached this long, I will give you guys some tips to take your writing to the next level...

1. Vivid Imagery and Sensory Details:

• Show, don't tell: Instead of simply stating, "It was a dark and stormy night," describe the specific details: "The wind howled like a wounded animal, rattling the windowpanes. Raindrops, fat and heavy, pelted against the glass, casting eerie shadows across the room."
• Engage the senses: Appeal to the reader's senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. For example, "The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, mingling with the comforting scent of vanilla."

2. Strong Character Development:

• Give your characters depth: Make them relatable and complex by exploring their motivations, fears, and dreams.
• Use dialogue to reveal character: Let your characters' words and actions reveal their personalities. Avoid overly descriptive dialogue tags like "he said" or "she replied." Instead, use actions or specific dialogue tags to convey emotion and tone.

3. Pacing and Suspense:

• Vary the pace: Alternate between fast-paced action sequences and slower, more reflective moments.
• Build suspense: Use foreshadowing, cliffhangers, and unexpected twists to keep readers engaged.

4. Strong Voice and Style:

• Develop your unique voice: Find your own style and tone that reflects your personality and the story you're telling.
• Use strong verbs and vivid language: Avoid clichés and overly descriptive language. Instead, use precise and evocative words to paint a picture in the reader's mind.

5. Editing and Revision:

• Don't be afraid to cut: Sometimes, less is more. Be willing to cut out unnecessary words and scenes.
• Seek feedback: Share your work with others and be open to constructive criticism.

By incorporating these elements, you can elevate your writing and create stories that captivate readers. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep writing and experimenting with different techniques.

So this is it for my first blog, I hope to see you again in my next post till then goodbye.

    
  - your friend, Ave author.