Types of journal

There are so many ways of looking at this, & one of those (probably the one that I favour) is that it simply doesn’t matter what ‘type’ of journal you decide to keep at all – it is all about writing a little (or a lot) as often (or as little) as you can about what you wish to… about finding your way to journal, because that’s the way that matters, surely?

This little corner of the website is here to help people to think about journaling a bit more, to explore some ideas, to dig a little bit deeper… only if they want to of course. So here are a few ways to think of a journal….

Here, the ‘types’ of journal are framed in terms of the parts of a book or a story… the beginnings & the endings, the highs & the lows, the rough & the smooth… &, of course, everything in between. Not to say it’s the right way to look at it… just the way that felt right in here for Chapter & Feather at this moment.

–

A Prologue

The bits before beginnings. Exciting maybe, scary often… but frequently something that in hindsight it would have been worthwhile capturing.

So often the beginning of a phase also marks the end of another, & that transition across, or over, under or through.

Planning isn’t always possible… but sometimes is necessary or forms a very important, really enjoyable or necessary task.

A few examples could include journaling about upcoming treatment which could prove to be a valuable tool for getting through what is to follow & also act as a record. The task of planning a large celebration or event could potentially be a really lovely thing to use a journal for… having a place to gather & record thoughts, inspiration, samples all those wonderful ideas & hopes.

I mentioned on another page about my friend who had written to her son when he was simply Bump; it’s something that some parents-to-be find useful. Likewise many find recording the stages they go through in pregnancy a positive experience – never again will they compare their offspring’s size so regularly to fruits.

Sometimes recording hopes, wishes & intentions before an event or a key step can be grounding, helpful; as can making a note of goals & targets.

I have heard more often in recent years how it can be very healthy for people to plan with their nearest & dearest (or just by themselves) about their wishes for when they pass… not so much the legal steps like a will or power of attorney, but simple & often profoundly important wishes or messages. Maybe for some working through these thoughts on paper could be useful. It is only very recently that I read about the concept of Swedish death cleaning (or Döstädning) – physically decluttering belongings now so loved ones don’t need to do so later; sometimes a mental or emotional declutter is helpful too.

Projects often need to be planned ahead. The blank slate of a new garden area or a room to decorate. A journal could embrace ideas for these kinds of tasks beautifully.

–

A Prequel

The idea of a prequel in contrast with the idea of a prologue would be about looking back – looking at the story before.

As I have been making the feather ‘quill’ pens for the Chapter & Feather journal sets I’ve been getting to know feathers a lot better – really looking at them, feeling them… & my word they are beautiful. One of the things I’ve realised is that quite a few of them curve or bend to the left (or backwards in my mind) & many, it often seems more, curve or bend to the right (or forwards it seems); of course things are rarely binary & some are almost completely straight or have a striking degree of flex… I often find myself thinking of what the pens might write, what they will write… & it often feels like those leaning left or backwards might be destined for deeper reflection on the past – on the stories from ‘before’.

Researching one’s family tree can be surprisingly absorbing – often revisiting the memories & tales of older family members as well as unearthing legal paperwork & documentation, sometimes even uncovering journals & diaries of those who went before us.

Memories are so important to us all individually & collectively. Recording our own, & those of loved ones might be quite an illuminating thing to embark upon. For those touched by dementia or memory loss a book with images & stories or memories, can be a supportive tool to assist carers & visitors with interactions & understanding that person a little better.

I have great respect for a much loved family member who has decided to record their story, right from the beginning. Gathering memories to pass on to the generations below. There seems the potential for a gentle kind of immortality in that action. It feels deeply generous.

–

The chapters

On the very front page of this website is a definition of the word chapter: A distinctive period in a person’s life it says. There are so very very many of these as we grow & learn & move through life. They will be so immensely personal & individual.

The words journal & diary have a shared core:

…a daily record of events and experiences.

There are infinite possibilities for the nature of these records. For some a diary is very much the day to day, more practical side of things – whereas a journal is a different kind of space, an area for plans, questions & ideas; somewhere to record divinations maybe or to explore the more spiritual side of life. Maybe a distinction between the two could be important, useful.

There are so many potential types of journal. Maybe most simply a daily bit of writing – be it a record of the day’s happenings or of feelings, a piece of creative writing or a place to record gratitude. For a while both my father & I aimed to write a haiku every day, it was a joy sharing them & I look back on them still. There is the potential to use journals for various projects as you move through them or for a much larger record of something over time – elsewhere on the website reading logs or records of collections are mentioned. Maybe even a daily affirmation.

Maybe the ‘chapters’ are for whatever is needed at a particular time as a person moves through life, this could be a heavy mix of lots of different things – with a number of ongoing lists entwined alongside them. Where there is a dedicated journal (e.g. for treatment) the chapters can mark various key points & stages.

It feels important to say that in so many books it is the final chapters, the endings you could say, that are so poignant, memorable & often most beautiful. For some people they will be journaling at a time when they know there will be only a few chapters remaining for them or for a loved one. If someone wishes to use a journal at this powerful point in their life it can become a profoundly important vehicle for so much. When looking for a book to use as a journal some years ago I read a review by someone who was looking for what they knew would be their last journal, & the relief & gratitude that they had found the right tool for this crucial task was moving – their hope was that those pages would be a legacy of sorts, their words remaining after they had left, to become an heirloom in the word’s truest sense, for their family. I respect that greatly.

–

The epilogue

When we are blessed with the time to be able to look back & reflect on things, & where we want to, a journal can provide the safe & private space to do so.

Some events are wonderful to remember & re-visit… others need kid gloves (or even a full suit of armour or HazMat suit).

Epilogue: a section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened

Not always present in books, but often powerful when they are; this idea invites us to use the pages of our journals to reflect on things if we so wish.

After treatment it can be startling how much has changed, but also how much has remained the same. When a project is completed it can be helpful to summarise things, to evaluate or to re-evaluate.

In most epilogues I have encountered there is a hint of what is next – of what the new beginning that comes of this end may be.

–

Binding individual journals together into something larger

The chapter & feather journals have been designed with this in mind. It is not the main focus, & it will be a slightly fiddly task… but, should you wish to, individual Chapter & Feather journals could be bound together to make a larger compendium.

They have been designed so as not to be too large… but with the possibility of being made into something much much bigger should you wish.