Having the right journaling tools will help you to journal successfully; and just like so many other tools, there’s no “right” or “wrong” choice – I’ve found that different personalities need different journaling tools. For example:
The Perfectionist: She or he is always striving for perfection and usually becomes irritated if things are a mess.
My friend uses a spiral notebook to journal. She has tried writing in a “pretty” journal, yet she finds a spiral notebook works best for her. Why? She is a perfectionist! She has a very difficult time scribbling and crossing things out in a pretty journal because she does not want to mess it up. This trips her up and can stop the flow of what she is writing. A spiral notebook gives her the freedom to have a messy journal. An extra bonus for her is that spiral notebooks are really inexpensive.
This is not to say that all perfectionists have a difficult time with pretty journals, but the majority does. If you are a perfectionist you could also use a three ring binder or an on-line journal program.
Computer Geeks: An online Journal is a programs that is usually password protected and will add to your privacy in journaling. Electornic journals work especially well for someone who is on the computer a lot.
The Creative Person: Special journals seem to work best for creative types – “pretty” or “unique” will fit the bill and minister to that creative side of you.
For years, I used pretty journals because it was my special time with God and having a unique journal somehow gave me a desire to pick it up more often. I did not let the extra cost bother me because I felt I was enriching my walk with God. Now I use our Washing with the Word Journal. It has scriptures in the back of the journal to help me work through my emotions when I cannot get the release through journaling.
The Artist: Purchase a journal without lines, or better yet find a journal with lines on one side of the page and blank pages on the opposite side. I love to use this style of journal for my “Heart Journal” where I write and also draw what I am feeling. This is a perfect choice for those who have been diagnosed with dyslexia.
Whether you’re a perfectionist or a creative personality type; journaling can enrich your life and draw you into a closer walk with God.
Once you determine what kind of journal is best for you, treat yourself to a special pen.
I like using gel filled pens, but you can also purchase fountain pens at your local office supply store. They are modernized and come in many different colors.
I also use a yellow highlighter to help me to remember things that God shows me, things I do not want to forget and want to be able to quickly scan back over and find later on.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you! James 4:8
If you have a unique journaling style please share it with us in the comment area below. We would love to hear from you!