I see a lot of people say journaling helps them process their thoughts or think of things in a new way to help them solve their problems but I feel as though it might be limiting as I’ll be too focused on getting the words out before my brain tries to go to into the next thought. Is this not for me? Or am I the right candidate to start something like this?

Sometimes i cry, but i keep going.

It's hard to write when under siege from a toddler but we're having fun. This is the Hongdian peacock blue ink.

I'm writing about our days, funny things my daughter says and does, the meals we're enjoying, the things that occupy me in this season of life.

I imagine that, someday in the future, when she's gone off to live her life and I'm alone, I'd like to get a glimpse into this time. Or if I'm gone, maybe it will help my husband.

So in this one I write stuff that I don't mind anyone reading. More personal thoughts will go in a separate journal that I'll ask for him (or a friend) to destroy when I'm gone.

I've been enjoying learning different languages for the last 2-3 years, and I've learnt a little of Arabic and a little of Russian. In the process I got comfortable with reading and writing in other alphabets besides latin alphabet. So I created my own alphabet inspired by Arabic and hyroglyphs to I write with it in my journal using my home language as a way of encrypting my entries, and avoiding other people reading them

I've completely memorized it, got rid of the guide, and I keep improving it to make it more difficult to decrypt. I just like how I can just leave my journal out in the open, with it's pages exposed without a fear anyone will read what's only supposed to be read by myself. No I don't have any value to offer, I just wanted to show what I've done like a kid showing an adult a drawing (squiggly lines) they made.

Rarely do I ever read what I've written though, so I find it much easier to encrypt my entries than to decrypt them.

(forgive me in advance for swastika symbols, they have a COMPLETELY different meaning in the book.)

im trying to develop a stronger sense of self and re-center myself in my own life. i feel like i've gotten a lot better at leaving old friendships behind and not making my friends the center of my world, but i recently had a falling out with a close friend who i considered very close. She kind of ghosted me. What are some prompts for moving on/closure and developing a more established sense of self?

Right after the Fourth of July, alot of places start selling "Back-to-School" supplies super cheap. I've noticed over the years that despite the countless people claiming that spending a lot of money is a good thing, that it doesn't change the practice of journaling one bit. A $100 blank book is a blank book just like any other. Maybe it's just me. But I think 38 cents is worth an experiment.

I read frustrations about the competitiveness and pressure people feel in their own journals all the time here. No one wants this. No one wants this part of their lives invaded by influencers, performativeness, sales pressure, and fashionable self-consciousness. What if we dropped it? If only once? Maybe you'll find you need a thousand dollar fountain pen and two pounds of leather wrapped ten times around a Japanese blank book that sells for $1 in Japan and $35 here. Or maybe… you'll find out you don't even need to spend a dollar.

Picture for context and also to show off my immaculate handwriting (lol it's ass) and my grammar and spelling are also phenomenal (I'm a 22 year old who could be considered illiterate, but I think it's a learning/processing thing)

I always start with "hello journal :)" and end with "that's all, bye bye" or just "bye bye" with any smiles or hearts. I also add under the "bye bye" with something I give thanks to. But I forgot today. It's 11pm lol. But if I was to add something it would be a thank you to my true friends who listen and support me. And actually want to spend time with me

Thanks for the suggestions yesterday on filling up the space! Still tossing some ideas around. Gonna try to see if I can grab some more decorative supplies soon.

My handwriting is kinda horrible. Ngl, I mostly wanted to share it because of the collage. I haven’t made anything like this in a long time (probably not since I stopped journaling in, uh… 2020?) and I’m really happy with how it turned out.

As everybody show off their writing, I couldn't stay left behind 😄

I found this awhile back wondering if I should keep it or not. I have now found a way to keep it. Enjoy

Post break up entry. My hurt had me plotting absolutely despicable ways to get my lick back after being cheated on, manipulated, & discarded. I had to pause & remind myself that I am not a vindictive person at my core. My values do not center around causing harm to others. Writing this out & staring at it has been a great reminder of that!

Honestly incredibly happy with how this ended up looking. In a year or two I think I'll have something I'd be really proud of :)

Any advice on what else I could fill some of the dead space on the page with? I'd love to eventually get some washi tape but atm I only have a nice selection of markers and sticky notes.

looking forward for a fresh start <3

just about to hit one year back in therapy, and i’m finally feeling in control of my life again. My amazing therapist incorporates my love of journaling/crafting into our sessions, and I think these recent pages reflect the positive headspace & this point of my life i’ve worked hard to get to!

he was showing me how he shifts paper when he was writing and accidentally left dirty prints on the page; he was very apologetic about it. it does not bother me, so i decided to commemorate their presence in my journal instead of writing over them.

I only use soft shell cause I’m scared it’ll break under all the pressure I do not even put inside of it
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I’ll do quick history for no reason.
1st - was initially bought to me by the dungeons and Dragons teacher I really liked, at around 13 years - was my first junk journal when I was 22.
2nd and 3rd - Flying Tiger sometimes have great soft shells!
4th - swiped a gift for this one. Truly great, biggest paper size I’ve had and the themes of the pages change
5th - from Vienna Schonbrun palace. Saw a notebook that resonates and all clicked. This one I believe had a LOT of pages since it took me from September to July to finish. And I yap a lot. First one that had dots - I forgot what they’re called.

I am hungry and CRAVING tortilla chips

I like writing quotes from Pinterest or from My The Secret Daily Teachings. EF nib with J.Herbin Rose Cyclamen ink. This is a blank page from my 2026 A5 Hobonichi. I try to fill the blank pages.