Journaling: Connecting the Dots
May 30, 2007 by Lillie
In Journaling: What the heck is a journal anyway?, I talked about different kinds of journals and the difference between a journal and a diary.
Sometimes what appears to be a diary can become a journal by helping you connect the dots, find relationships and patterns.
For example, a food diary can be a helpful tool to a person on a diet. If you record what you eat, when you eat it, and your mood at the time you eat, you can use those diary entries to pinpoint problem areas. You can see if you have a tendency to eat under certain circumstances (boredom, stress, etc.) or at certain times of day. You can discover specific foods that present a challenge to you. Then you use your journal to come up with solutions and plan how to deal with your particular challenges. (Note: this is a hypothetical example that I should follow but don’t!)
I have a health problem that has varying symptoms and a wide range of conditions that trigger the symptoms. I am finding ways to reduce or alleviate the symptoms by recording when they occur, what I’m doing, and the environment I’m in at the time. I also keep track of various things I try to prevent or alleviate the problems and the results. So over time I’m better able to prevent episodes or end them sooner.
Memory isn’t nearly as effective as a written record. If I don’t record the circumstances, I may not recognize the connection between events that happen days or weeks apart. But as I review my journal, I see patterns and connect the dots.
Related Post:
Journaling: What the heck is a journal anyway?
[tags]journal, diary[/tags]
To be honest, I never really knew the real difference between a diary and a journal until I read your posts. I guess I just never considered my “logs” as diary entries. I do connect the dots (without even planning to). I also happen to go through old entries to compare silly patterns of behavior and health-related issues just like you.
website copywriter,
I don’t think it’s really important what you call it – as long as you’re connecting the dots, whatever you call is is serving the purpose.
What a unique way of looking at diaries and journals.
I am like the comment above. I had no idea of the difference. I always looked at them as the same thing.
Based on your description, I have and keep a journal. I don’t write in it daily or on some schedule but I do write in it.
I want to keep my thoughts and ideas along with what is happening to me so that I can keep track of my life.
Just as a copywriter, I have to test test test, but if I don’t know what I have tested and what the results where I have lost out on valuable information.
I do the same for my life. I keep track of what’s going on from time to time so that I can look back and see how I have grown.
Thanks for your post.
Jay
Responses to this post: