What is your image of yourself connected with journal writing? Could it be sitting in a big cozy chair with notebook and pen scribbling away? Does using a computer to keep your journal conflict or participate in you sense of what journal writing is?
The most compelling great things about keeping a journal on some type of computer that it is secure and private; a handwritten journal can be easily read. If you don't put it under lock and key when not deploying it, a handwritten journal could be an invitation for snoops. It's sometimes hard enough to create fully and honestly once you know you are the only person reading it. In case you are also concerned that someone else may read it, i quickly think it's extremely difficult to create uncensored. Journal software provides password protection. And good journal software also has the entries encrypted, so the database can't be opened directly and read without the password.
Another major advantage to journal software is that of one's writing is one place. Handwritten entries are often scattered-on backs of envelopes, single pieces of papers, in multiple journals tucked away in different hiding spots. Then, Check out here of just anybody reading your personal writing increases exponentially. And the chances of the writer monitoring all these paper scraps decreases exponentially! (And when you do happen to be different places together with your journal --to restaurants, parks, beaches-as I've, I've worried that I'll leave my journal behind. Actually, I did leave a journal at a restaurant once. I recovered it, but was freaked that someone had read it!)
Some people keep paper journals for different subjects: a spirituality journal, a journal for poetry, a journal because of their kids, a journal about their relationships. (I never could fully grasp how that works: What happens if you write a poem about your kids-do you put that in the poetry journal or the journal for the kids? And I also feel limited, feeling that once writing in one kind of journal I have to stick to topic. I totally realize that this may be my own issue and that others love this format-so of course, if this works for you personally, I'm not attempting to dissuade you! ) The good news is that keeping a journal on robust journal software enables you to categorize your journal entries, yet keeps them all integrated, organized, and searchable in a single place.
Re-reading journals is really a powerful exercise letting you see your life from the new perspective. You shift from writing subjectively (which you do at the time of writing) to observing more objectively (which you do at the time of re-reading days, months, or years later). When you aren't wrapped up in the emotions of the moment, you can step back and see situations more clearly: Was he really being this type of jerk, or hmmm... oh my! I played a key role for the reason that ridiculous argument, too! Or, look just how many times I was passive, instead of being assertive in this relationship! Or, I never noticed before that my default emotion seems to be [anger/sadness/ stoicism/hysteria]... I wonder how I can change that?
Using a computer you can quickly find journal entries discussed the same topic(s), or even entries you've written when in a particular mood. You can see how you behave and what your attitudes are when you are in similar situations. Not only do you have the written entries, but the software also supplies the tools to get patterns you will ever have! Reviewing your journals is at least half of the value of keeping a journal, yet many people overlook this little bit of journaling.
The best journal software offers you interactivity that a paper journal doesn't. Prompts and quotes kickstart your writing if you are not sure in what to create. Some journal software also offers ways to track your behavior, attitudes and events, so that you could see your life patterns easily.
Consider the benefits of keeping a journal on your computer, and you'll understand why so many of us love keeping a journal on the computer. And remember, you can always snuggle up in bed or in a cozy chair together with your laptop!