What is the Purpose of a Journal?

 As a professional historian and biographer, I can say that I have read many diaries and journals when I was conducting research for my books and articles. 

These texts were monumental in helping me to write about my subjects in a way that brought them to life. 

I am always grateful that people in the past chose to leave their journals behind so that we could gain knowledge and wisdom from them.

But where did the act of journaling originate, what forms of journals were used, and to what purpose?

Historically, journals and journaling go back to the beginnings of writing itself.
 

The ancient Mesopotamians recorded information about trade and taxes on clay tablets.  
 

The ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics to record their daily lives and spiritual traditions on papyrus and tomb walls.
 

The Greeks journaled about their philosophical thoughts and ideas in their journals.

The Medieval Period in Europe brought about the more artistically decorated journaling forms.

Explorers such as Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus used travel journals to record their observations and discoveries of new lands and cultures. 

Many famous authors and artists including the Renaissance Master Leonardo da Vinci and much, much later Frida Kahlo kept journals to explore their thoughts and creativity.
 

When we talk about journals today, we may think about the beautiful, leather bound journals with thick paper. Or perhaps the digital journals that are now much in use. Not to mention the plethora of journaling supplies to choose from. 

But no matter how many options we have today, the fundamentals of journaling itself remain the same.
 

The purpose of a journal is to document aspects of your life that you feel are important in the style that resonates with you.  
 

Therefore, you can use your journal to explore your creativity, record your thoughts and ideas or write about your daily meaningful activities.  
 

Journal vs. Diary
 

Generally, a diary is a place you record daily events, a specific moment that happened on a particular day or your personal thoughts.  
 

A journal is more than a diary.

A journal is where you may do all of the above but go deeper to explore your consciousness or patterns of behavior, creativity, and ideas. AS noted above, its purpose is to document aspects of your life that you feel are important.
 

Your journal may be impressive to others if you decide to share it, but it exists mainly for your own personal use.
 

Of course, a diary and a journal can be used interchangeably. They can both serve similar functions. Ultimately, it depends on you as to how you use your diary or journal.
 

Here are 10 notable purposes of a journal:
 

1) Your journal would be a keeper of your ideas. You never know what idea may strike you that can change not only your life but the lives of others.
 

2) Your journal can be your best friend.
 

3) Your journal can be enormously helpful to you if are interested in writing your memoirs or autobiography.
 

4) Your journal can be a legacy you leave behind for family and friends.
 

5) Your journal can be a great portfolio of your work as an artist, designer, songwriter, poet, and creator.
 

6) Your journal can be of incredible value to your biographer. (Double trust me on this one!)
 

7) Your journal can help you to improve your writing skills if you decide to become a professional writer.
 

8) Your journal can be a great place to save your important treasures such as ephemera and memorabilia.
 

9) Your journal can help you to recall information from the past that you may need if you are unable to remember things due to an illness.
 

10) Your journal can help you to keep a track of your dreams, goals, plans, and personal growth.

Can you think of any other purpose for your journals?

Until next time,

Keep Creating!

Angelina