I have, since the time I was a little girl, been taught the importance of writing in a journal. For the longest time I always thought it was only for documenting history, and while I still think journal writing can have that purpose, I have recently realized writing for me has become a lot more. I’m a thinker, I know I’ve told you that before, so writing has been a great way for me to sift through the thoughts floating around my head. It’s helped me to better understand who I am and where I want to go, to really evaluate what is worth holding onto and what needs to be let go. Writing is what’s helped me clear up space in my head for what’s really important.

With that said, I will admit I have not written in my journal for several months and it shows. I’m definitely more efficient when I write–I need it. I promised myself a few weeks ago I would start writing again, but sadly it hasn’t happened. That’s why when Megan brought home her journal from school and wanted to share it with the family we thought it a great opportunity to discuss the importance of writing.

So Monday night we gathered on our bed while Adam pulled out several old journals from his life and let us flip through them. His, of course, are full of words + drawings, which we all got a kick out of seeing. I loved that it showed the girls, who are not all strong in word, that journals can be a lot more–it’s a way of expressing yourself freely, unedited. It can be what you need when you need it. As it turns out, Megan’s were an example of the same, words + drawings, and we all thoroughly enjoyed the workings of her mind.


[ps she said i could share]

After looking through Megan’s school journal and seeing how far she’s come in the past 9 months I am challenging all of us to write in our journals daily. Not only is it a great way to keep up their writing skills over the summer, but it will be something we can all do together. I’m hoping it will be the beginning of a beautiful habit.

Do you have a journal?
Have you written in it lately?