Journals and diaries: which is better for recording memories?  There is difference between the two and their function.

An Introduction to Journals and Diaries

Journaling is a hobby, or some would say it’s a habit, whereby you can pen your thoughts to track and sort out the events of  your life.  Some journal to simply document

Click Here Now to Learn How to Write and Publish Your Thoughts in 7 Days occurrences, some journal to release anxiety; some journal in search of inner answers; some write their thoughts to prepare for anticipated conversations; and some journal to add depth and dimension to their memories.  Or said differently and specifically, some write to add clarity and explanation to memories that may have been captured only with memorabilia or photographs.  It’s a way to give further enlightenment.

Journaling adds the next dimension – the human element – to what may be recorded with an impersonal depiction of events as a photo would be.  Why not add the feelings and perspective behind the happenings that were important enough to be photographed?  Why not give explanation and first hand account to the future generations that will be enjoying the memorable collection?  That’s the beauty of journaling: it offers the human touch!

Many people confuse a diary with a journal.  The difference?  A diary entry is like a news report: it contains the facts, not your feelings.  A journal is an open opportunity to share from YOUR perspective what happened, how you experienced it, what you saw happening, provide reference to the times in which it happened, and why the timing was significant.  Also, don’t forget to talk about who was involved even though those faces may be identifiable in a photo.  Reading your descriptions will further enhance the memories later on.

All that was just mentioned are the who, what, why, where, how and when, so isn’t that just a report?  Isn’t it just a diary entry?

Importance of journals and diaries
Photo credit: jppi from morguefile.com

The difference is the “how you felt about it” element.  The feelings!  In addition to the Who, What, Why, Where, How, When is Your Feelings.  The “YF” element!  Telling your feelings about the event will add the memorable difference in your writings.  Adding your point-of-view will differentiate your work and make it a memory well preserved, and that’s what it’s all about!  Preserve the memories.

Preserve your thoughts, perspectives, advice and memories through some type of journaling.  It takes guts, but it will give you and the readers of  the future so much pleasure, and their appreciation for what you will have provided will be immense!

Will you do it?