Out with the Old - In with the New - Indexing your Journals

The end of another year!! Where did the time go? If you have written in your journal this year, you KNOW where it went! Some Journal Keepers - at this time of year especially - like to take a few pages at the front or at the back of their handwritten journal to index their entries. I like to index mine at the back - usually because I'm so excited to start a new journal that I forget to leave a few pages. I just want to jump right in and write on those lusciously creamy pages with my elegant new pen that I treat myself to every new year.

Number all the pages in your journal to start with. Handwrite the numbers using calligraphy pens or use some rubber stamps and coloured ink to print the page numbers. Stickers or your own handwriting in coloured pens also work.

While you are at it, you might like to continue throughout the journal to stamp patterns or designs in various spots on your pages or add washi tape ( a thin tape that has printed patterns in multiple colours - find it at your local craft store or office supply store ) for added interest and splashes of colour.

Then at the back I start on the very last page. I write one number on each line and work my way backwards into my journal until I have the right number of pages set aside. As you make an entry, note it in the back index on the appropriate line. An index may include the page number, a date when the entry was written and a short phrase or a word or two to describe the event or thought you are writing about. Another way to index is to write the page numbers as you make entries in case you need more space for your descriptions - or if you write very large!

After you have written for a year in a journal it can be difficult to find that quote you wrote down in a moment of inspiration, or that event you might need to look up again to get your details straight. And for sure, if you have kept a journal for a number of years, it will help you find what you are looking for through multiple journals you may have stacked on your shelf. It's also a great way to review memories with a brief scan of your journal index. I've found it to be a very helpful practice especially for my business journal where I keep track of notes from workshops, books I've read, podcasts I've listened to and ideas and studio hours I have logged.

At the end of each year, I like to read through my journal. I will use a highlighter to mark the quotes I especially like.
I like to highlight lessons I learned with another colour.
I make a list of especially memorable events, accomplishments, books I read and even things I bought this year. A review to close out the year helps me make decisions about what I want to do more of next year, complete what I started last year, and decide what new things I want to make sure I record in my journal for this upcoming year. Sometimes I realize I haven't added events in, or I haven't recorded very much for a very memorable day and I still want to capture more details. I can stick an extra page in and add more details if I want. It's just a great idea to look back and remember all the things that happened in a year. Where did the time go???

Have you ever indexed your journals? Do you have an interesting way to do your indexing?

Happy journaling
Debbie

A Journal for Christmas!

Do you ever have someone who is hard to buy for?
The gift of a blank journal and a nice pen is a gift that keeps on giving throughout the year. Not only can the giftee use their journal for whatever they like to write in it - like lists and phone messages, but they may also reap multiple benefits if they DO start to be a Journal Keeper.

Consider purchasing a journal that a person might have a difficult time purchasing for themselves. Splurge on a journal that is a little more costly or a little fancier than the normal hardcover or spiral bound book that most of us started out with. The paper should be smooth enough for the pen to glide over the pages and perhaps the pages will be embellished with a small flourish to decorate the corners. For the person who is artistic, perhaps a blank book would encourage some sketching or artsy lettering. The covers I love are pastel faux leather - very soft and padded. Some are embossed with patterns and some have beautiful prints of paintings on the outside. A ribbon page marker is also a bonus!

Include a printed PDF of some great writing prompts or basic instructions for journal writing.
Download a free "Getting Started" page here.

Perhaps your should treat yourself to a new journal for the New Year while you are at it! :-)
It's a little affordable luxury...

Did you ever get a journal as a Christmas gift?
Write about the story in your own journal.

Have you ever given a journal for Christmas?
Who can you share your love of Journal Keeping with this year? Perhaps a grandchild, a close friend, or a relative whom you would like to encourage to write down their memories.

Share your stories below...

Happy writing!
Debbie