My Journal Ecosystem

"The Unabridged Journals of Jamie G. Johnson"

{Some of my favorite journals pictured below}

I began journaling when I was four years old. I remember going to this little shop that smelled like candy and my mom bought me a little pink journal with a dalmation puppy on the front cover.

I drew pictures and dictated words to my own personal secretary, my sweet mother. How are mothers always so inspired? With this one simple action, she seemed to have a premonition of the writer I would become and the journaling practice I would come to value as priceless. And as I know my mom will read this for she continues to be my #1 fan, I just want to say a heartfelt thank you.

More than 30 years later, I have filled dozens of journals and I have a whole cupboard dedicated to holding them.

But what is my journaling ecosystem?

I have written my way through many different journaling practices, and the one that works the very best for me, is simply this: I keep one journal for everything.

I’ve tried separating things into different topical journal before—one for ideas, one for gratitude, one for daily schedules, one for capturing my day, one for my scripture study, etc., but I just keep coming back to only using one journal at a time. It’s just the way my brain is wired, I suppose.

That being said, I still label each journal entry with a title so someday when I finish digitizing all my entries, they can easily be sorted into categories. (Speaking of digitizing journals, one day I will have all my journals typed and printed in bound books. They will be called: The Unabridged Journals of Jamie G. Johnson).

At the beginning of each journal, I write the topics/titles and then when I pick up my journal to write, I have all my options in one place.

Currently, my journal includes these titles and topics:

• The Wandering Quill - morning pages and brain dumps

• Field Notes or Day Sketches - all the lovely day’s happenings, often done in the form of a free-verse poem

• Sacred Insights - notes and impressions from my scripture study and church services

• Gathered Blessings - an ongoing gratitude list that I love to write on Sundays to prepare my heart to partake of the Sacrament

• Prayers & Promptings - questions on my heart and personal revelation I receive from Heavenly Father

• The Idea Garden - creative ideas

• Notes to Self

• Dream Pages - all my hopes, dreams, and plans for the future

• Book Notes

• Poetry Practice - for when I get in the mood to craft a poem

• Seasonal Atlas - plans to do, enjoy, and accomplish for the season ahead

• Love Letters - letters to home, to people I love who have passed on, and to my future and past selves

• Today’s Gentle Way - daily plan

Maybe these thoughts have sparked in you the desire to try or recommit or continue your own journaling practice. The beautiful thing is, there isn’t one right ecosystem. Find the way that lights up your heart and carve out a few minutes a day or a week or a month to write. And one day, you will pick up your journals and realize you are holding one of the greatest treasures on earth.

Much love,

Jamie G. Johnson