A note about this guide
BOOKS IN THE COLLECTION
FIC COE
Diary of a Bad Year
J.M Coetzee
How should a citizen of a modern democracy react to their state's involvement in an immoral war on terror, a war that involves the use of torture?
323.1196092 ME
The Memphis Diaries of Ida B. Wells
Ida B. Wells-Barnett
An intimate look at the hopes, thoughts and day-to-day life of the young woman who would later become the celebrated civil rights activist and antilynching crusader.
811 LE
The Daily Mirror: A Journal in Poetry
David Lehman
This unique volume provides the intimacy of a diary, full of passion, sound, and fury, but with all the aesthetic pleasure of poetry.
760 NE
Drawing From Life: The Journal as Art
Jennifer New
A spirited tour into the private worlds of journal keepers: an architect, a traveler, a film director, an archeologist, a cancer patient, a songwriter, a quilt maker, a gardener, an artist, a cyclist, and a scientist, to name just a few illustrating a broad range of journaling styles and techniques that in the end show how each of us can go about documenting our everyday lives.
different forms of journaling
video diaries
if you’re interested in film making or just a more visual way of recording your life, video diaries are a great choice! here are some of my favorite creators and a couple different formats to consider - obviously, your video diaries don’t have to be posted to social media!
podcasts
if you find yourself talking to yourself in order to sort things out, audio journaling is another great format! it doesn’t have to be a podcast, it could just be a voice memo but here are a few examples of podcasts that have an audio journal feel (there’s also one on how to journal!)
online journals (blogs)
if you’re looking for inspiration on how to write longer musings, here are a few of my favorite email lists that have a journaling feel. they always inspire me to write about my own opinions after I read an entry and are just a great way of reading examples of journal entries :)
OTHER RESOURCES
websites
journal recommendations
my own journal prompts
Visualize your ideal day. What does it look like? How do you feel? How might you make this happen?
What are some good moments from throughout your day?
What is a favorite memory of yours? Why?
What is your ideal journaling set up? What time of day do you prefer to write? Do you need to sit down in a quiet space or can you write on the go?
Why do you want to journal?
Who is someone in your life you are grateful for? Why?
Write a gratitude list! Just start listing things you are grateful for until you fill up the page!
What are some things you wish you had more time for? Why?
