When I was first staring down the barrel of my pens and stationery I hesitated. Are my day-to-day thoughts important enough to write down? Should I write about being angry and risk my future grand-kids thinking I’m petty? I couldn’t find the balance between important and frivolous, eventually giving up the endeavor completely.
Until I had a thought- Why conform to everyone else’s idea about journaling? I’m not a pioneer recording the births and deaths of my travel companions, waxing philosophical about the value of life. And to be honest, I don’t expect anyone in their right mind to read my journals. If I wanted to write everyday I could, but I had to set my goals realistically.
Other people might be able to write ten pages everyday, washi tape and calligraphy included, but I do not have the energy or the motivation. After torturing myself about keeping a diary for a week I thought “What do I even want to keep in a journal?” That thought resonated with me. Some write journals to keep goals, or record what they’re thankful for. I like the idea of gratitude journals but I personally cannot handle the cavities from overly sweet writing. But, I am thankful for my friends and family- especially when they make me laugh.
My solution to my writing predicament: Keep a tiny journal in my bag and write down what makes me laugh. Looking over my journal from last year I see the origin story for my nickname “Cash Money,” the progression of my infiltration into a new friend group, and quotes from my favorite (and craziest) teacher.
My friends started to compete for who could make me laugh the most and get into the legendary, and lazily named, Funny Things Notebook. Rereading the notebook is bittersweet, it highlights the passage of time and loss of certain relationships, but it preserves the best parts of my day. I got the same amount of emotional satisfaction by writing and reading this as other people writing much more detailed journals do.
To start a journal it’s best to avoid overthinking it and start simple. Make a journal that fits your personality type and realize that you can have your journals burned after you die if you’re that embarrassed about the content. Future generations don’t have to know about your 8th grade crush, college stress, or when you thought your best friend’s baby was ugly.