The crazy thing about having a hobby is…after you do
it so long, it can feel like work. I like to journal. For me writing or
journaling is more than a hobby. I love a decorative journal with a cover that
has patterned designs, pages with a splash of color and sometimes,
inspirational quotes.
One cool night as I sat nestled under the covers, watching a Hallmark movie, my son tapped on my bedroom door. I’m sure I looked like the grandma in Little Red Riding Hood, with my bonnet on and eyeglasses. My son had a grin on his face the size of a hula hoop. He said, “Ma, I have something for you.”
My son whipped a book from behind his back and dangled it in the air like a carrot. The words spilled from his mouth in a sing-song tone, “It’s a new journal.”
I smiled with glee at my gift. The title of the journal was “Your’ Mother’s Story – Mom I want to know everything about you.” How sweet. I began flipping through the pages. Each page had a question for the reader to answer. There were questions such as what was the first car you wanted and why? What does your yearbook say about you?
After my son left me with the sweet gift, I stomped into his room, “Now you want the answers to these questions? You could have just listened years ago when I tried to share information. This is not journaling. This is writing a novel.”
“Well, you can do a little each day.”
My peaceful, therapeutic process of journal writing had the potential of becoming a chore. I refused to let that happen.
The best kept secret to making journal writing fun is…enjoy the process. Look at your time with your journal as a peaceful moment, a time to relax and reflect. Set a time to writ that best fits your day. It could be in the morning to start your day, mid-day to take a break, or an evening wind-down. You choose.
I’m having fun with the journal my son gave me. I’ve found ways to inject humor and also reflect on some of my childhood memories.
Don’t let your hobby feel like work, whether it’s journal writing or something different, enjoy the process.
What tips do you have for making journal writing fun?
