Journaling Suggestions for a newbie

[SweetMelissa019]

I want to start journaling but don't really know where to start. What are some things that you guys include in your journal? I have a couple ideas such as

• thoughts for the day
• thoughts after a session
• what I felt about a certain item
• something we want to try
• my writing

I would also like to use a journaling app on my phone so I was wondering if anybody had any app suggestions.

 

[cookiecat]

Is your partner going to be reading this?

I think you answered your own question - all of the above and whatever else crosses your mind.

The one negative I found about writing a journal and having my Dominant read it, is when he didn't give me any feedback, I felt weird. Had he read it? What did he think about it? When he didn't mention he'd read stuff, I stopped putting so much effort in to journaling. If someone else is going to be reading it, make sure your expectations about communication is clear.

 

[SissySalina]

Are you going to use the journal as a diary?
There is a difference and you can have a diary inside a journal.
Diary is normally more private and this is better to share with your Dom.

 

[Lorelei907]

I want to start journaling but don't really know where to start. What are some things that you guys include in your journal? I have a couple ideas such as

• thoughts for the day
• thoughts after a session
• what I felt about a certain item
• something we want to try
• my writing

I would also like to use a journaling app on my phone so I was wondering if anybody had any app suggestions.

The best way to begin any kind of writing is to just start writing. Even if it’s basic ideas or nonsensical. You will end up going back over it and making corrections but the idea is to get the thoughts out of your head and on to paper, or whatever medium you chose to use. Your notepad on your phone/iPad works great, especially since you can divide it up into folders, MS Word works real well too and there a phone app version of it. Once you start writing it will evolve over time to fit your needs.

I wish you luck and have fun

 

[SweetMelissa019]

Thanks for the answers guys. I actually do bullet journaling for my daily schedule but I wanted to do it online so that we could share it. It's important to both of us that we communicate properly about things and I am so much better at writing my thoughts out.

 

[Specula]

Sounds as if you are taking this very seriousl, SweetMelissa.... and why not?!

hugs from

Dicky

 

[slavemelanie]

In the past I have used a blog as a type of dairy. Though this is very personal information and that avenue is very public, so it has drawbacks but has an exciting element in that You are openly professing feelings and experiences. There were times delicate and very personal notes only went in emails to my Master.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Blogs, e-journals - all good, but there is something very special about writing it out with a proper pen on good paper. Far more personal.

 

[Epheme]

I use the Penzu app and/or website. You can set it to private, open, semi-private. They have a free version and paid version. I just use the free version because I don't need pretty fonts. I first journaled at the suggestion of my therapist when my husband died. I had a lot of anger and sadness and just didn't know how to deal with it all. Now I use it for days something big happens like the struggle of returning to work after being gone for so long or a funny moment, things that remind me I am still alive too. Oh, and you can add photos and such as well, which has been nice.

I don't know if any of that was useful. I feel a little all over the place today. Plans rained out and I haven't forced myself out much recently.

 

[cookiecat]

I use the Penzu app and/or website. You can set it to private, open, semi-private. They have a free version and paid version. I just use the free version because I don't need pretty fonts. I first journaled at the suggestion of my therapist when my husband died. I had a lot of anger and sadness and just didn't know how to deal with it all. Now I use it for days something big happens like the struggle of returning to work after being gone for so long or a funny moment, things that remind me I am still alive too. Oh, and you can add photos and such as well, which has been nice.

I don't know if any of that was useful. I feel a little all over the place today. Plans rained out and I haven't forced myself out much recently.

My husband died two years ago next month. I'm 58 and just went back to work yet months ago after being off five years. Your "all over the place" comment is a familiar feeling

I journaled throughout his illness but nothing after he died. This post makes me think it would help ease some of the chaos in my head.

Welcome to lit.