I have kept a journal since I was a teenager. I suppose I may have called it a diary back then. But, whether a diary, journal, or daybook, for most of my life I have had the impulse to record my days and how I've felt about them. Usually they are in narrative form. Sometimes I utilize lists and drawings. Many of the journals have images taped on the covers or the pages within. Most have loose pieces of paper, postcards, or newspaper clippings tucked inside. On the back few pages of every journal is a list of books I have read during the time I have kept that particular one, with the title, author, and sometimes a brief note or two recorded.
My favorite format has been a 10 inch by 8 inch notebook - the academic journal size. My very favorite is the National Brand chemistry notebook (the blue notebook shown to the right in two of the photos above). It has light green anti-glare paper and each page is numbered (there are 120 pages per notebook).
I have most often written in the evening, in bed, before sleep. Sometimes I use a flashlight to keep from disturbing my sleeping husband or children.
I have lots of thoughts about journals and personal notebooks. I think I'll do a series of posts about them this week.
Happy Monday everyone. xo Maribeth