I ve been journaling over 30 years so you can image the stacks. I ve always teased my now adult daughters that all they have to do when i pass is make a pile in the backyard put me on top & strike a match. Writing in a journal got me through some horrid times. Having recently read some of these way back 'brain droppings' I think it's time to pick out some journals that have happy memories & recycle the rest. Thank you Brie for helping me turn loose of the stuff no one else should ever read-not even me.
Do you Jane. Keep whatever you want toss what you don’t. Sometimes the act of rising or burning it helps release the bd feelings as well. Enjoy the process.
I do the same thing! I love having a place where I don't have to edit myself when I write and where I can write every weird thought that enters my mind.
At first I was like 'Say what?!' because we journal keepers can be hoarders of thoughts and memories that it almost seems sad to throw it away, but after you explained it, it made me remember the one and only journal I did actually throw away - it was written just after a painful breakup and while it was many years later when I found it, it felt like all the painful memories were rising to the surface simply by reading the pages. So I totally understand what you mean. I think if you have dealt with the subject, learned from it and are ready to move on from it, then it makes sense to not have it lingering around in book form. Thank you for sharing this and reminding us of the therapeutic qualities of writing!
Yes April, you totally get it. Sometimes we loose sight about why journaling is so important. It’s not all about documenting it for someone else. It’s for us to work through our “stuff” and come out better in the end. No need to relive.
I'm very different with my journals. I'm trying to do more art. But the written journal has always been paramount. I've journaled for well over 50 years (started in utero, lol!). I used to call the books my bitch books. I vented. They were often therapy. They were my best friend. I didn't have many friends. Like you, I could write about the same thing till the cows came home. I usually ended the topic when even I became bored! Where I'm different is that I don't throw them away. I used to love reading published journals. I read the journals of women who rode wagons on their westward journeys in the US, 1800s. They usually weren't introspective, but I found them important. They are HERstory. So many women's stories, so much of women's lives have been lost. Our lives have often been deemed unimportant. We know that because of how often we think we are alone in our feelings! How relieved we are to encounter others who have gone through the same things! Our stories have seldom been recorded by men because men thought/think our lives and our ways of thinking aren't often worth talking about unless it's to remind us that we aren't the norm. In recent years it's become known that medical studies have used men's health as the default even for women! My brothers are irritated when i disagree with them; it's not said, but it's clear that if I don't agree with them, I'm wrong and yelled at to shut up. If my brothers disagree with each other, they talk it out. So, while I don't re-read them, I keep them. If they are to be tossed, it'll have to be someone else tossing them. My journals reflect the good, the bad, and the ugly. I moved 6 months ago and was thinking I'd have to dispose of them because they are in so many heavy boxes. Finally, my niece moved them and carried them upstairs and put them all the way back in storage under the eaves. I also have the letters my parents wrote to each other when my dad was in Korea, before they married. They wrote every day. I don't feel comfortable reading them, but I can't bring myself to throw them out. They are with my journals. Someday maybe someone will want to read what MY life was about, why I was the way I was (to be read when I'm dead!). If my niece (who gets my suff) pitches it all, it's up to her. Today I heard that Michelle Obama's daughters were conceived via IVF. I've never been pregnant. But I can imagine hearing this from her might be meaningful to other women. This info comes from a book, but it could just the same have been found in a journal, if she kept one. These are the things that connect women's lives, our struggles and triumphs. It's why i keep my journals. But, that's because of my life and my needs and my thinking. Different strokes and all of that.
I loved reading this Mary. Truly inspirational. And I agree with you too. I guess I look at it like this. All the jumbled mess goes into my throw away and the more organized though the same thoughts goes into me illustrated journal. Keep on keeping on right!!
So interesting hearing about your throw away journal. Thank you for sharing with us. I use to keep a seperate journal like your throw away journal. I called it my personal journal. However I never throw mine away. I am with your husband and would rather read the book than the cliffnotes. As someone who loves psychology I like seeing all the messy workings of someones brain much more than I enjoy the pretty stuff. Now I mix mine together. All of my journaling goes into one book. But none of my journals are for anyone but me. Before I die they will ALL get burned. They are my safe place, my place for me and me alone. When I look back I like seeing the nasty brain vomit next to the pretty pictures. It reminds me both good and bad were happening at the same time. It makes my story more whole and cohesive. I would be mortified if someone read them though so I suppose if that was a major concern in the future I would start a throw away one of my own.
I use to mix mine together but for me I love that they have become separate. It’s nice to have a journal that I just write and not care about anything. I’m not so much worried about someone else reading my journal, it’s that I don’t need them anymore. I got out of it what I needed.
I’m going through some painful stuff right now. I like the idea of a freedom journal, but I’m sure my process is going to be a successful journey. I think I will write down my junk, then gesso over it and turn my problems into pretty pictures.
I am so sorry Patti to hear you are going through a struggling time. Freedom journal has a nice ring to it. I use to write then draw an illustration over it. I think that it has transitioned into this. I wish you the best of luck getting through this hard time!
I have done this in the past and wondered if people would think I was crazy to toss out my writing. But like you, it is a place to process and when I am done processing, I don't need to look back. I don't currently have a burn book but was thinking that I need to start one because there are a few things that I want to write out but don't want in my documenting life journal. I have shredded the pages and put them in the compost bin - then they become part of my garden :)thanks again for this - good things to think about
Great chat, thanks. Up to this point I have burned all my journals because I only used one book. I would keep them for a few years, then out they went because it was all my processing. Now that I use the TN system I will keep more. My journals are for me, it is my safe place to think, grow, even rest.
Love that you use your journals for you! Sometimes I think we think too much of doing something for others. Documenting for kids, grandkids whom ever. But the whole reason I started journaling was for me. I want to continue to grow as a person so I’m not giving up MY journal. So glad you are doing the same.
Hey Brie! I enjoyed listening to you explain what journals you're currently using. I agree with you, that using a journal, that is 100% for your thoughts, feelings, accomplishments, worries, frustrations, whatever it may be. In the end it's your journal. A place of solitude and a safe place where you can be free. And when it's finished it's each person's own individual decision to recycle it, buurn it or keep it. Hope you and your family are well. ✌&💚 Kimberli
Journaling.. it saved my sanity. It feels like free thearapy. No joke. I say, small things, to venting about work or other things on my mind. I don't feel as stressed out as I have felt for the past few years. I wish I started journaling years ago . I recommend journaling to anybody! It truly helps to get all of those thoughts and feelings out . 💟
I love this idea so so much. I have always had a "throw away" journal but I dont normally throw them away because I hoard my journals. I have thrown away some because they were so rambling and just made no sense. I need to make a keep journal even if I'm the only one who wants to read them. Thanks so much for sharing how you journal.
This sounds like what I need to do. I do not worry about someone else reading my journals but during stressful times or times when I’m not sure how I truly feel about some ongoing drama, I feel the need to vent. Yet, I do not want to clog up my journal while I’m processing something. I was thinking about that today while making dinner. I had written in my journal but felt I had more “thoughts” I wanted to write about but I hemmed and hawed about putting it in my journal. I ended up not writing about it because I knew that my feelings were all over the place instead of firmly defined. Your idea sounds marvelous to me! Thanks!!
Yes yes yes!!! You totally get it. Its those venting sessions that you don't need to read later or add to your journal because you don't even know what is going on! Yes girl you need this in your life!
I’ve never done separate but up until recently I only had journals of pure writing. It’s only been two years where I’ve combined art and lettering w my thoughts and pictures and when I mentioned burning all my old journals to my husband he took the bin and made me promise I wouldn’t. They’re all so personal though, I’m not sure I want them read even after I’m gone. He’s convinced my kids will treasure them one day, since most are from high school to right when my first was born ten years later. I’m torn though
I felt exactly how you did so that is why I separated them. The bits I wouldn’t mind someone reading and the bits I want documented I keep in one journal. The other journal is for my ramblings and things that don’t need to be saved. My husband feels just as yours does. He hates that I toss my thoughts but I do this for me. And at the moment this is what I chose to do. You will figure it out. Enjoy the process!
I think this is a great idea. I have been concerned about writing negative things that I am trying to work through because I didn’t want to see those pages later and it stir up the anxious, negative feelings, plus I just hate writing negative stuff on a page that I have decorated pretty, but I want to be real also, when I’m gone and my kids read my journals I want them to know that I did have struggles but not know all the details. So thanks for sharing your idea I think I’ll give it a try.
It makes absolutely 💯 sense. I have a book I name BOB.(book of bullsh*t) and I write awful things in it because sometimes when I'm angry, I have to get vile in the book to release the anger.. and when they are full, BOB and I say our farewells and thank you for letting me treat you badly for my sanity type stuff and I burn him. I'd rather no one read that stuff because it's for me to vent. I have a collection of day to day journals that I write in and recently started a commonplace book as well. BOB is my friend when I need him to be and it keeps me sane
This is so intriguing to me! I wonder if I could do that. I have “venting” journals I kept through some struggles long ago but I can’t seem to let them go. It’s been so interesting to read some of them now that I’m way older and have almost a completely different perspective. You have my gears cranking though! I have things that I may gloss over in my written journal, but it might be nice to fully flesh them out in a burn book!
Thanks for sharing! I don't keep a separate throw away journal I just put it all into one space good, bad, and my crazy because that's me it works for me but I can totally see where that would not work for some especially people who worry about it being read which makes this a great alternative.
I love that there are so many different way to journal. I use to journal like you, all in one book but at the moment this makes more sense for me. I’m sure I will switch it up eventually.
I have a commonplace book with wedding invites, IG inspiration photo's, Ideas for home decor etc... that is a "journal"/scrapbook I hold on to for the short term. That is one I eventually will toss. My writing/art journal holds it all. My art, my thoughts, my lists and "work through issues". I am careful to have it be free from anything that could harm anyone, including me. It's one that is personal, but would give my grand-babe's a clue to who I am if they ever read it. I'm glad you found a way to make it comfortable for you to write with freedom! Thank you for sharing your system!
I have one of those kinds of journals. It's what I think of as my attic or basement journal--it's where I store things to mull over later, or where I dump things that I need to store right now. I like "burn journal" better much better, I'll have to start thinking of it that way.
I have always kept a journal... Usually a comp book and I always end up going back to that style regardless of how many I try (including the bohemoth I am using now that I HATE! back to comp books again!) But I couldn't throw them out! That's like throwing out my brain! I do admire you for being able to dump your brain then dump the book tho...I completely understand I am redundant in my journal and I tend to complain a lot but I feel like I'm throwing away my brain child! Plus, I include bits and bobs from my life in there too so I guess it also becomes sentimental in that aspect... Thanks for sharing... You have some great tips... I'm glad I found you 😘
In the past, I’ve had a written processing journal. I can see how throwing them away would be freeing enough to allow yourself to write your thoughts uncensored. I’m actually fascinated by this concept of a throwaway journal. Not sure if I would ever throw them away though. Now I tend to keep just my one creative journal with my written journaling also in there. BUT something’s been missing. Your video made me realise what that is...a safe place to write ALL my thoughts out unfiltered. I need to think about this some more...Thanks for sharing your process!
You’re welcome. Sometimes it’s nice to have a pad of paper to write whatever then when your done rip it up and throw it way! This I how the idea of my throw away journal started.
Great idea! I could see myself doing the same. The composition notebook would be my “messy, be myself” type of journal. I would also keep mine. 🤗 Thanks for sharing! Joy2Plan ❤️
I love this idea. I have a writing obsession and so much of it is just sorting through life things. No need to keep that "stuff". Thank you for introducing me to a birn journal!!
Yes! I do the same thing! While in the midst of a horrible marriage I would use a school notebook to journal all my thoughts. I started using it because it could be hidden with all the extra school notebooks I had. I used my regular journal to write well censored things because he never allowed me any privacy. I still do the same today even though I no longer worry about someone reading my journals. I even use the same notebooks. I have other journals that I keep notes on things I'd like to journal about too. When you mentioned not needing to worry about handwriting, that got me laughing! That's one of the best parts of those journals! :) Thanks for a great video!
Oh Stacey its hard to hear that you went through that and you had no privacy and had to keep things hidden. I am so glad that you have worked through that time in your life and have become the person you are. Congrats on being amazing!
Thank you so much for that! You've just helped me to free myself from something I was keeping for months and each time I saw it, made me hurt. And after this video I just throw it out. And I feel great! :) So thank you for that dear :) What a relieve! And it is really cool idea to have throw away journal, I have to try start one :) Best, Agnieszka
Agnieszka, I am so glad this video helped you! I love my throw away journal... its wonderful not to have any worries and be able to blab about whatever I want!
Hey there, this is a great idea. It's one of those things that you didn't know you needed until it crossed your path. Thanks for sharing. I'll be making one of these for sure. x Marieke
Your concept is good I keep a morning pages were I brain dump I don't do it everyday I grab for it when I feel overwhelmed or too many ideas are floating around but I don't read it and i do burn it unceremoniously during s'mores night or something and then on the other hand I have my bujo where i do light journaling specific to the day Pages I do share and journals I keep and adore Thanks for sharing
I like this process..I tend to just dump everything into my 1 journal..but now I see how this might help get the emotions in tack before putting it into the main journal. I notice on those days I'm struggling with something, my hand writing is horrible and almost not legible.
I do this too.. I use a beastly namani 7 seas book housed in a beautiful leather cover still cause I want it to be pretty but it’s just fountain pen to water color pre prepped pages.. I call it my heart purge journal. I don’t throw them away however they are not the books I’d want others to read cause as you said it’s a lot of repetition.. me processing personal situations etc.. so yes one day perhaps a nice pile for the campfire 🔥 also my most used journal cause they have zero pressure
I have everything in my journals. In other words, they are collections of writings about my everyday life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don’t separate it. I feel free in my journals to say whatever I want, whether it be profound philosophizing or petty griping or angry rant. I guess I just feel that it’s all a part of who I am, and I don’t feel the need to edit myself. If people don’t want me to write anything negative about them they should’ve been nicer. 😂 But seriously, I just don’t mind being blunt and unedited. It’s all me. But I certainly understand why some people would need a burn book, and I think it’s a great idea! We all need a space where we can freely say what we need to say to work through things. Thanks for sharing!
Yes I love that there are so many different ways to journal and different times in your life call for set up changes. The whole point is making it work for you and to continue to journal💚
I tend to have burn “pages” where I’m processing negativity or whatnot - it’s not readable, mostly scribble handwriting or collaged over. Gets it out of my system without being out for the world to see, yet not getting thrown away either. So far so good 😃
Very interesting idea! I don’t know if I could ever throw a journal away. I’m too attached haha! But I do have two journals - one is private and I use it for processing negative events or feelings I have, and the other is mostly positive and has art and photos in it along with the writing. 😄
I have a journal I use as a brain dump, which sounds like your burn journal. It’s just a place to write all my random thoughts and where I work through stuff. It’s super cathartic and I love having a place to write all that random stuff! I don’t get rid of them, though. 😊
Oh man! Then what would be the point of me throwing it away if I showed the whole world. That would not be a safe space at all for my thoughts. Hahaha.
@@DocumentedJourney Hahaha, I understand completely! I'm just so used to seeing flip throughs though. But seriously, this is a great idea! I might try it for myself 😁
I keep a journal that I always destroy when I’m finished. I’ve never had a name for it but I love burn book and might have to use it myself! I only write in it when I am working something out, usually the really deep, angry and sad stuff. I would say that I am a very “passionate” person and I tend to feel very deeply, be it happiness, anger or sadness. Sometimes I just need to get those feelings out of my head and heart and don’t want them in my journals that will hopefully be keepsakes someday. Also, at the beginning of each journal, I write a warning letter to whoever might be spying and reading it basically saying that you read at your own risk and I am not responsible for anything that might hurt their feelings. It’s just my way of working through those feelings. I don’t keep them because I don’t want to keep a record of my anger and sadness. And I’m not saying nothing sad goes into my regular journal. The main difference is my regular journal is based around my daily life and events and my throw away journal is based on feelings.
I'm always only keeping one journal. This means one book with ALL in it about me and my life. I've never seperated my writing into different places. I just can't because that's ALL me. I think I couldn't make a decision what would be "worth" to go into a "pretty" journal and what not. I'm unable to throw any of my journals away. But nobody reads my journals, it's a safe place for me in my good, in my bad and in my ugly. Did you ever regret to throw something away?
I understand that and I think that’s great. I just could never truly free myself in my one journal. I have regretted tossing it once in the moment but looking back on it now I’m okay with it. It would have been unhealthy for me to reread what I tossed anyway.
The not "rereading" I can understand too....a few of my journal I will not read again....and for 4 or 5 times, I guess, I ripped pages out and throwed them away because they were too bad....Brie, thank you for all the inspiration you give!! 😚💎
I have journaled for nearly 50 years. I have what I call my "vomit" journals that are always burned. Many decades ago a friend of my mothers found HER mothers journal after she died and there were some very hurtful things written about the daughter. Sometimes you just need to vent! But no one else needs to read it.
Came here via Robyn - so this is a processing method for you? I don't have a throw-away, it all goes down in my journal. The way I see it, it's my life, warts and all (I don't have warts, just sayin!)
I sometimes go thought hard times that I just don't want to re live so I do at times have a throw away journal. At the moment I don't but if I ever needed it I would go back to it.
I am always afraid people could read some of my thoughts. So I write my words on the same page at least three times in order to make them unreadable. After, I can throw it away and put it to recycle, but often I find it rather nice and I can stick cards or quotes on it... another kind of journaling.
It could be freeing. I quit journaling for a while due to the fear of someone reading my journal. But, I don’t know if I poured my heart into it if I could toss it. Something to mull over and try.
I think I just got an aha moment like I’ve be truly struggling going through stuff and I think this would truly help! So I think I need to start this to free my hamster 🐹 wheel mind ha ha
Yes, at first it was very hard for me to throw it out but I have never regretted it and I am thankful that I have saved myself from moments of rereading!
I’m tinkering with the idea of a throw away “journal”, but doing something a little different. Instead of keeping an actual journal and throwing it away when done, I am thinking of just writing on a legal pad, and then throwing out the page as soon as I’m done writing. Sometimes, I think it is good to just get the thoughts out of my head and just be done with it. Have your ever done something like this?
I don’t get it. Why do you need to write it twice? I also agree with your husband. But I have never felt unsafe to write in my journal. You keep stating you feel free in this,and you don’t have to worrry and your hand writing can be sloppy, and you have freedom. I mean to each his own but I guess I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t you feel free? Are you afraid someone is going to come in to your home and steal it or see something you gossiped about? I guess I don’t use my journal this way. There isn’t really any gossip in mine. I just write down my feelings. YEaH I may write something down like a person who hurt me in some way or whatever but it isn’t gossip until you tell someone else. I wouldn’t have enough time in my day to write everything down twice like one is my rough draft and the other is the final product. I don’t worry that anyone is ever going to read my journals. So it isn’t ever a problem. I always have freedom and feel safe. And if someone reads it after I’m dead, whatever! They’d probably get very bored! LOL!
Im sorry that you are struggling to understand. Not everything you do or I do, will work for someone else... its just ideas that I am sharing. I haven't always journaled like this but at the moment its working for me. I don't write things twice, but I do want my illustrated journal to make sense and look nice since its combined with my sketches. I am not worried about other people reading it as much as me going back and reading it myself and reliving that hard time. Its interesting what you took away from this video. I am so glad you are comfortable with the way you journal and you feel free in whatever you write in. This for me is a great way to not only be creative and artistic but also to get out my thoughts. Like you said to each his own or you do you!
This has been extremely helpful to motivate me to get rid of some journals of just pain or rambling. Thank you!
You’re welcome. I feel ramble journals are helpful for your mental health and they are also great fire starters!
I ve been journaling over 30 years so you can image the stacks. I ve always teased my now adult daughters that all they have to do when i pass is make a pile in the backyard put me on top & strike a match. Writing in a journal got me through some horrid times. Having recently read some of these way back 'brain droppings' I think it's time to pick out some journals that have happy memories & recycle the rest. Thank you Brie for helping me turn loose of the stuff no one else should ever read-not even me.
Do you Jane. Keep whatever you want toss what you don’t. Sometimes the act of rising or burning it helps release the bd feelings as well. Enjoy the process.
I do the same thing! I love having a place where I don't have to edit myself when I write and where I can write every weird thought that enters my mind.
Yes EXACTLY
At first I was like 'Say what?!' because we journal keepers can be hoarders of thoughts and memories that it almost seems sad to throw it away, but after you explained it, it made me remember the one and only journal I did actually throw away - it was written just after a painful breakup and while it was many years later when I found it, it felt like all the painful memories were rising to the surface simply by reading the pages. So I totally understand what you mean. I think if you have dealt with the subject, learned from it and are ready to move on from it, then it makes sense to not have it lingering around in book form. Thank you for sharing this and reminding us of the therapeutic qualities of writing!
Yes April, you totally get it. Sometimes we loose sight about why journaling is so important. It’s not all about documenting it for someone else. It’s for us to work through our “stuff” and come out better in the end. No need to relive.
I'm very different with my journals. I'm trying to do more art. But the written journal has always been paramount. I've journaled for well over 50 years (started in utero, lol!). I used to call the books my bitch books. I vented. They were often therapy. They were my best friend. I didn't have many friends. Like you, I could write about the same thing till the cows came home. I usually ended the topic when even I became bored!
Where I'm different is that I don't throw them away. I used to love reading published journals. I read the journals of women who rode wagons on their westward journeys in the US, 1800s. They usually weren't introspective, but I found them important. They are HERstory. So many women's stories, so much of women's lives have been lost. Our lives have often been deemed unimportant. We know that because of how often we think we are alone in our feelings! How relieved we are to encounter others who have gone through the same things! Our stories have seldom been recorded by men because men thought/think our lives and our ways of thinking aren't often worth talking about unless it's to remind us that we aren't the norm. In recent years it's become known that medical studies have used men's health as the default even for women! My brothers are irritated when i disagree with them; it's not said, but it's clear that if I don't agree with them, I'm wrong and yelled at to shut up. If my brothers disagree with each other, they talk it out.
So, while I don't re-read them, I keep them. If they are to be tossed, it'll have to be someone else tossing them. My journals reflect the good, the bad, and the ugly. I moved 6 months ago and was thinking I'd have to dispose of them because they are in so many heavy boxes. Finally, my niece moved them and carried them upstairs and put them all the way back in storage under the eaves. I also have the letters my parents wrote to each other when my dad was in Korea, before they married. They wrote every day. I don't feel comfortable reading them, but I can't bring myself to throw them out. They are with my journals. Someday maybe someone will want to read what MY life was about, why I was the way I was (to be read when I'm dead!). If my niece (who gets my suff) pitches it all, it's up to her.
Today I heard that Michelle Obama's daughters were conceived via IVF. I've never been pregnant. But I can imagine hearing this from her might be meaningful to other women. This info comes from a book, but it could just the same have been found in a journal, if she kept one. These are the things that connect women's lives, our struggles and triumphs. It's why i keep my journals.
But, that's because of my life and my needs and my thinking. Different strokes and all of that.
I loved reading this Mary. Truly inspirational. And I agree with you too. I guess I look at it like this. All the jumbled mess goes into my throw away and the more organized though the same thoughts goes into me illustrated journal. Keep on keeping on right!!
So interesting hearing about your throw away journal. Thank you for sharing with us. I use to keep a seperate journal like your throw away journal. I called it my personal journal. However I never throw mine away. I am with your husband and would rather read the book than the cliffnotes. As someone who loves psychology I like seeing all the messy workings of someones brain much more than I enjoy the pretty stuff. Now I mix mine together. All of my journaling goes into one book. But none of my journals are for anyone but me. Before I die they will ALL get burned. They are my safe place, my place for me and me alone. When I look back I like seeing the nasty brain vomit next to the pretty pictures. It reminds me both good and bad were happening at the same time. It makes my story more whole and cohesive. I would be mortified if someone read them though so I suppose if that was a major concern in the future I would start a throw away one of my own.
I use to mix mine together but for me I love that they have become separate. It’s nice to have a journal that I just write and not care about anything. I’m not so much worried about someone else reading my journal, it’s that I don’t need them anymore. I got out of it what I needed.
I’m going through some painful stuff right now. I like the idea of a freedom journal, but I’m sure my process is going to be a successful journey. I think I will write down my junk, then gesso over it and turn my problems into pretty pictures.
I am so sorry Patti to hear you are going through a struggling time. Freedom journal has a nice ring to it. I use to write then draw an illustration over it. I think that it has transitioned into this. I wish you the best of luck getting through this hard time!
Documented Journey thanks hun,.
Very cool idea!!!!!
I have done this in the past and wondered if people would think I was crazy to toss out my writing. But like you, it is a place to process and when I am done processing, I don't need to look back. I don't currently have a burn book but was thinking that I need to start one because there are a few things that I want to write out but don't want in my documenting life journal. I have shredded the pages and put them in the compost bin - then they become part of my garden :)thanks again for this - good things to think about
I love that they become part of your garden. When we finally find a home I am going to do this as well.
Great chat, thanks. Up to this point I have burned all my journals because I only used one book. I would keep them for a few years, then out they went because it was all my processing. Now that I use the TN system I will keep more. My journals are for me, it is my safe place to think, grow, even rest.
Love that you use your journals for you! Sometimes I think we think too much of doing something for others. Documenting for kids, grandkids whom ever. But the whole reason I started journaling was for me. I want to continue to grow as a person so I’m not giving up MY journal. So glad you are doing the same.
Hey Brie!
I enjoyed listening to you explain what journals you're currently using. I agree with you, that using a journal, that is 100% for your thoughts, feelings, accomplishments, worries, frustrations, whatever it may be. In the end it's your journal. A place of solitude and a safe place where you can be free. And when it's finished it's each person's own individual decision to recycle it, buurn it or keep it. Hope you and your family are well. ✌&💚
Kimberli
You got it. It’s nice to see you pop into the comments. Hope all is well with you.
Journaling.. it saved my sanity. It feels like free thearapy. No joke. I say, small things, to venting about work or other things on my mind. I don't feel as stressed out as I have felt for the past few years. I wish I started journaling years ago . I recommend journaling to anybody! It truly helps to get all of those thoughts and feelings out . 💟
I’m so glad you found journaling. It’s a wonderful thing to feel free of judgement and I encourage anyone I can as well. Keep it up!
I love this idea so so much. I have always had a "throw away" journal but I dont normally throw them away because I hoard my journals. I have thrown away some because they were so rambling and just made no sense. I need to make a keep journal even if I'm the only one who wants to read them. Thanks so much for sharing how you journal.
I’m so glad you find this system interested. I enjoy separating them and I’m okay with towing the ramblings.
Love this idea. One for you alone. One for prosperity. I definitely need a place to vent the ugly and don’t want to pass down those thoughts. Lol.
Exactly.
This sounds like what I need to do. I do not worry about someone else reading my journals but during stressful times or times when I’m not sure how I truly feel about some ongoing drama, I feel the need to vent. Yet, I do not want to clog up my journal while I’m processing something. I was thinking about that today while making dinner. I had written in my journal but felt I had more “thoughts” I wanted to write about but I hemmed and hawed about putting it in my journal. I ended up not writing about it because I knew that my feelings were all over the place instead of firmly defined. Your idea sounds marvelous to me! Thanks!!
Yes yes yes!!! You totally get it. Its those venting sessions that you don't need to read later or add to your journal because you don't even know what is going on! Yes girl you need this in your life!
I’ve never done separate but up until recently I only had journals of pure writing. It’s only been two years where I’ve combined art and lettering w my thoughts and pictures and when I mentioned burning all my old journals to my husband he took the bin and made me promise I wouldn’t. They’re all so personal though, I’m not sure I want them read even after I’m gone. He’s convinced my kids will treasure them one day, since most are from high school to right when my first was born ten years later. I’m torn though
I felt exactly how you did so that is why I separated them. The bits I wouldn’t mind someone reading and the bits I want documented I keep in one journal. The other journal is for my ramblings and things that don’t need to be saved. My husband feels just as yours does. He hates that I toss my thoughts but I do this for me. And at the moment this is what I chose to do. You will figure it out. Enjoy the process!
I think this is a great idea. I have been concerned about writing negative things that I am trying to work through because I didn’t want to see those pages later and it stir up the anxious, negative feelings, plus I just hate writing negative stuff on a page that I have decorated pretty, but I want to be real also, when I’m gone and my kids read my journals I want them to know that I did have struggles but not know all the details. So thanks for sharing your idea I think I’ll give it a try.
What a great idea. I’d never thought about it but I’m going to do this. Thank you. 🌻🕊
You’re welcome!!
It makes absolutely 💯 sense. I have a book I name BOB.(book of bullsh*t) and I write awful things in it because sometimes when I'm angry, I have to get vile in the book to release the anger.. and when they are full, BOB and I say our farewells and thank you for letting me treat you badly for my sanity type stuff and I burn him. I'd rather no one read that stuff because it's for me to vent. I have a collection of day to day journals that I write in and recently started a commonplace book as well. BOB is my friend when I need him to be and it keeps me sane
You totally get it!! I love that you named the journal BOB!
Very interesting. I just couldn't burn them or recycle them but I get why you do it. Thanks for the info and different ways of journaling.
Thanks for watching!
This is so intriguing to me! I wonder if I could do that. I have “venting” journals I kept through some struggles long ago but I can’t seem to let them go. It’s been so interesting to read some of them now that I’m way older and have almost a completely different perspective. You have my gears cranking though! I have things that I may gloss over in my written journal, but it might be nice to fully flesh them out in a burn book!
Yes! Get it girl!!!
Thanks for sharing! I don't keep a separate throw away journal I just put it all into one space good, bad, and my crazy because that's me it works for me but I can totally see where that would not work for some especially people who worry about it being read which makes this a great alternative.
I love that there are so many different way to journal. I use to journal like you, all in one book but at the moment this makes more sense for me. I’m sure I will switch it up eventually.
This is just what I’ve been struggling with and I really like your solution.
I have a commonplace book with wedding invites, IG inspiration photo's, Ideas for home decor etc... that is a "journal"/scrapbook I hold on to for the short term. That is one I eventually will toss. My writing/art journal holds it all. My art, my thoughts, my lists and "work through issues". I am careful to have it be free from anything that could harm anyone, including me. It's one that is personal, but would give my grand-babe's a clue to who I am if they ever read it. I'm glad you found a way to make it comfortable for you to write with freedom! Thank you for sharing your system!
Yes! I love that you found a system that works for you! Sounds similar to what I do.
I have one of those kinds of journals. It's what I think of as my attic or basement journal--it's where I store things to mull over later, or where I dump things that I need to store right now. I like "burn journal" better much better, I'll have to start thinking of it that way.
Yes. That’s exactly what it is!! Doesn’t matter what you name it!
I have always kept a journal... Usually a comp book and I always end up going back to that style regardless of how many I try (including the bohemoth I am using now that I HATE! back to comp books again!) But I couldn't throw them out! That's like throwing out my brain! I do admire you for being able to dump your brain then dump the book tho...I completely understand I am redundant in my journal and I tend to complain a lot but I feel like I'm throwing away my brain child! Plus, I include bits and bobs from my life in there too so I guess it also becomes sentimental in that aspect... Thanks for sharing... You have some great tips... I'm glad I found you 😘
Thanks for such a lovely comment. It’s nice to connect with openminded people!
In the past, I’ve had a written processing journal. I can see how throwing them away would be freeing enough to allow yourself to write your thoughts uncensored. I’m actually fascinated by this concept of a throwaway journal. Not sure if I would ever throw them away though. Now I tend to keep just my one creative journal with my written journaling also in there. BUT something’s been missing. Your video made me realise what that is...a safe place to write ALL my thoughts out unfiltered. I need to think about this some more...Thanks for sharing your process!
You’re welcome. Sometimes it’s nice to have a pad of paper to write whatever then when your done rip it up and throw it way! This I how the idea of my throw away journal started.
I don't have a dump journal, but I think it's a great idea to be able to process thoughts without filters. Thanks for sharing.
No problem!!
I really like your idea. I might follow it as well.
Awesome
I love love loveee this idea! Thank you so much 💚
You’re welcome!!
Great idea! I could see myself doing the same. The composition notebook would be my “messy, be myself” type of journal. I would also keep mine. 🤗 Thanks for sharing! Joy2Plan ❤️
Yes!!! Let me know if you end up doing it and how you like it.
I love this idea. I have a writing obsession and so much of it is just sorting through life things. No need to keep that "stuff". Thank you for introducing me to a birn journal!!
Of course!!! I love mine.
Yes! I do the same thing! While in the midst of a horrible marriage I would use a school notebook to journal all my thoughts. I started using it because it could be hidden with all the extra school notebooks I had. I used my regular journal to write well censored things because he never allowed me any privacy. I still do the same today even though I no longer worry about someone reading my journals. I even use the same notebooks. I have other journals that I keep notes on things I'd like to journal about too. When you mentioned not needing to worry about handwriting, that got me laughing! That's one of the best parts of those journals! :) Thanks for a great video!
Oh Stacey its hard to hear that you went through that and you had no privacy and had to keep things hidden. I am so glad that you have worked through that time in your life and have become the person you are. Congrats on being amazing!
@@DocumentedJourney Thank you, Brie! Journaling really did help me get here!
Thank you so much for that! You've just helped me to free myself from something I was keeping for months and each time I saw it, made me hurt. And after this video I just throw it out. And I feel great! :) So thank you for that dear :) What a relieve! And it is really cool idea to have throw away journal, I have to try start one :) Best, Agnieszka
Agnieszka, I am so glad this video helped you! I love my throw away journal... its wonderful not to have any worries and be able to blab about whatever I want!
Hey there, this is a great idea. It's one of those things that you didn't know you needed until it crossed your path. Thanks for sharing. I'll be making one of these for sure. x Marieke
Awesome. I would love to know how it’s going for you after you have used it for a while.
Your concept is good I keep a morning pages were I brain dump I don't do it everyday I grab for it when I feel overwhelmed or too many ideas are floating around but I don't read it and i do burn it unceremoniously during s'mores night or something and then on the other hand I have my bujo where i do light journaling specific to the day Pages I do share and journals I keep and adore Thanks for sharing
I love the idea of s’mores night!! You sound like you have the perfect system for you at the moment.
I like this process..I tend to just dump everything into my 1 journal..but now I see how this might help get the emotions in tack before putting it into the main journal. I notice on those days I'm struggling with something, my hand writing is horrible and almost not legible.
Yep I am the same way with the handwriting. If you ever try it I would love to know what you think after some time.
I do this too.. I use a beastly namani 7 seas book housed in a beautiful leather cover still cause I want it to be pretty but it’s just fountain pen to water color pre prepped pages.. I call it my heart purge journal. I don’t throw them away however they are not the books I’d want others to read cause as you said it’s a lot of repetition.. me processing personal situations etc.. so yes one day perhaps a nice pile for the campfire 🔥 also my most used journal cause they have zero pressure
Yep! Exactly. I just recently started tossing them. I’m sure one day my thoughts about tossing them could change.
I have everything in my journals. In other words, they are collections of writings about my everyday life, the good, the bad, and the ugly. I don’t separate it. I feel free in my journals to say whatever I want, whether it be profound philosophizing or petty griping or angry rant. I guess I just feel that it’s all a part of who I am, and I don’t feel the need to edit myself. If people don’t want me to write anything negative about them they should’ve been nicer. 😂 But seriously, I just don’t mind being blunt and unedited. It’s all me. But I certainly understand why some people would need a burn book, and I think it’s a great idea! We all need a space where we can freely say what we need to say to work through things. Thanks for sharing!
Yes I love that there are so many different ways to journal and different times in your life call for set up changes. The whole point is making it work for you and to continue to journal💚
I tend to have burn “pages” where I’m processing negativity or whatnot - it’s not readable, mostly scribble handwriting or collaged over. Gets it out of my system without being out for the world to see, yet not getting thrown away either. So far so good 😃
Great system!! Do what works right!
Very interesting idea! I don’t know if I could ever throw a journal away. I’m too attached haha! But I do have two journals - one is private and I use it for processing negative events or feelings I have, and the other is mostly positive and has art and photos in it along with the writing. 😄
This sounds like a wonderful system.
Great idea! I think I will do it too. Thanks 😀
No problem. Hope you find this system useful!
I love this idea!!
Thanks
I have a journal I use as a brain dump, which sounds like your burn journal. It’s just a place to write all my random thoughts and where I work through stuff. It’s super cathartic and I love having a place to write all that random stuff! I don’t get rid of them, though. 😊
It’s awesome that you have a safe place. That’s the whole point, right!
Documented Journey yes, totally! Thanks!
What an interesting idea. I was a actually waiting for a flip through 😁
Oh man! Then what would be the point of me throwing it away if I showed the whole world. That would not be a safe space at all for my thoughts. Hahaha.
@@DocumentedJourney Hahaha, I understand completely! I'm just so used to seeing flip throughs though. But seriously, this is a great idea! I might try it for myself 😁
I keep a journal that I always destroy when I’m finished. I’ve never had a name for it but I love burn book and might have to use it myself! I only write in it when I am working something out, usually the really deep, angry and sad stuff. I would say that I am a very “passionate” person and I tend to feel very deeply, be it happiness, anger or sadness. Sometimes I just need to get those feelings out of my head and heart and don’t want them in my journals that will hopefully be keepsakes someday. Also, at the beginning of each journal, I write a warning letter to whoever might be spying and reading it basically saying that you read at your own risk and I am not responsible for anything that might hurt their feelings. It’s just my way of working through those feelings. I don’t keep them because I don’t want to keep a record of my anger and sadness. And I’m not saying nothing sad goes into my regular journal. The main difference is my regular journal is based around my daily life and events and my throw away journal is based on feelings.
This is exactly how I use mine. You’ve got it!!
It is a good idea I will try to get rit of many things thank you for sharing💞
good luck... but only do it if you want to!
What s great idea! I do have a brain dump insert that gets tossed....I think I’ll re-name it and make it legit!☺️👍🏻
There are many different names as long as it’s working for you!!!
I'm always only keeping one journal. This means one book with ALL in it about me and my life. I've never seperated my writing into different places. I just can't because that's ALL me. I think I couldn't make a decision what would be "worth" to go into a "pretty" journal and what not. I'm unable to throw any of my journals away. But nobody reads my journals, it's a safe place for me in my good, in my bad and in my ugly. Did you ever regret to throw something away?
I understand that and I think that’s great. I just could never truly free myself in my one journal. I have regretted tossing it once in the moment but looking back on it now I’m okay with it. It would have been unhealthy for me to reread what I tossed anyway.
The not "rereading" I can understand too....a few of my journal I will not read again....and for 4 or 5 times, I guess, I ripped pages out and throwed them away because they were too bad....Brie, thank you for all the inspiration you give!! 😚💎
I have journaled for nearly 50 years. I have what I call my "vomit" journals that are always burned. Many decades ago a friend of my mothers found HER mothers journal after she died and there were some very hurtful things written about the daughter. Sometimes you just need to vent! But no one else needs to read it.
Yes!!! you get it! Thank you for this wonderful comment and sharing your ideas!
Thank you! @@DocumentedJourney
Came here via Robyn - so this is a processing method for you? I don't have a throw-away, it all goes down in my journal. The way I see it, it's my life, warts and all (I don't have warts, just sayin!)
I sometimes go thought hard times that I just don't want to re live so I do at times have a throw away journal. At the moment I don't but if I ever needed it I would go back to it.
I am always afraid people could read some of my thoughts. So I write my words on the same page at least three times in order to make them unreadable. After, I can throw it away and put it to recycle, but often I find it rather nice and I can stick cards or quotes on it... another kind of journaling.
Oh I really like this idea!
It could be freeing. I quit journaling for a while due to the fear of someone reading my journal. But, I don’t know if I poured my heart into it if I could toss it. Something to mull over and try.
Can’t hurt to try. That’s for sure.
I think I just got an aha moment like I’ve be truly struggling going through stuff and I think this would truly help! So I think I need to start this to free my hamster 🐹 wheel mind ha ha
Whoohooo. When you give it a go let me know if it is working like you thought it would!
Have you ever regretted throwing away any of those journals?? 😱
No. Those type of journals are just brain dumps. It would kill me to toss the memory keeping ones.
I will definitely burn mine. Lol.
I do the same thing. It’s so stress-free to just have one that “doesn’t matter.”
Totally!!
I try to burn one of my journals and diary but i find it very hard its a good Idea though
Yes, at first it was very hard for me to throw it out but I have never regretted it and I am thankful that I have saved myself from moments of rereading!
I do the same thing.
I’m tinkering with the idea of a throw away “journal”, but doing something a little different. Instead of keeping an actual journal and throwing it away when done, I am thinking of just writing on a legal pad, and then throwing out the page as soon as I’m done writing. Sometimes, I think it is good to just get the thoughts out of my head and just be done with it. Have your ever done something like this?
Yes! This is actually what I do now.
@@DocumentedJourney Awesome! I am really enjoying doing this so far. Actually feels freeing to physically get rid of my thoughts.
I agree. We travel in an rv a lot and I like to take the pages and toss them into the fire too. Sounds silly but very freeing.
Love that idea. I think I’ll write someone else’s name in the front before I toss it!
Brilliant
I don’t get it. Why do you need to write it twice? I also agree with your husband. But I have never felt unsafe to write in my journal. You keep stating you feel free in this,and you don’t have to worrry and your hand writing can be sloppy, and you have freedom. I mean to each his own but I guess I don’t get it. Why wouldn’t you feel free? Are you afraid someone is going to come in to your home and steal it or see something you gossiped about?
I guess I don’t use my journal this way. There isn’t really any gossip in mine. I just write down my feelings. YEaH I may write something down like a person who hurt me in some way or whatever but it isn’t gossip until you tell someone else. I wouldn’t have enough time in my day to write everything down twice like one is my rough draft and the other is the final product. I don’t worry that anyone is ever going to read my journals. So it isn’t ever a problem. I always have freedom and feel safe. And if someone reads it after I’m dead, whatever! They’d probably get very bored! LOL!
Im sorry that you are struggling to understand. Not everything you do or I do, will work for someone else... its just ideas that I am sharing. I haven't always journaled like this but at the moment its working for me. I don't write things twice, but I do want my illustrated journal to make sense and look nice since its combined with my sketches. I am not worried about other people reading it as much as me going back and reading it myself and reliving that hard time. Its interesting what you took away from this video.
I am so glad you are comfortable with the way you journal and you feel free in whatever you write in. This for me is a great way to not only be creative and artistic but also to get out my thoughts. Like you said to each his own or you do you!
I call mine a junk journal
Perfect