I found the discussion in class today quite interesting. I was especially captivated by people's opinions with regards to journals and diaries. Yes, I do think that a specific personality type keeps journals and/or diaries. It's definitely not the kind of thing that appeals to everyone.
Lucy Maud Montgomery was an avid diary writer, and I recall reading somewhere that she had once commented (please excuse my paraphrasing) "It is truly the lonely who keep diaries".
I could sort of relate with this statement because I kept a journal throughout most of my teen years. I was always very withdrawn, introverted and reclusive in my youth, and I never spoke (I still remain a very quiet person). I always felt that spoken words, for me anyway, were very clumsy and awkward, and I could express myself much better with a pen than I ever could with speech. To this day I feel much more comfortable expressing myself through writing than I ever would through the spoken word. Journal keeping was part of an interior landscape that I loved to escape to.
Anyway, I do think that those who do write journals are not only wanting to record events in their day to day lives, but they also may be seeking refuge within the safe pages of a diary. I think for many journal writers, their journals serve as a welcome confidante, someone who will listen unconditionally and accept without prejudice.
Lucy Maud Montgomery was an avid diary writer, and I recall reading somewhere that she had once commented (please excuse my paraphrasing) "It is truly the lonely who keep diaries".
I could sort of relate with this statement because I kept a journal throughout most of my teen years. I was always very withdrawn, introverted and reclusive in my youth, and I never spoke (I still remain a very quiet person). I always felt that spoken words, for me anyway, were very clumsy and awkward, and I could express myself much better with a pen than I ever could with speech. To this day I feel much more comfortable expressing myself through writing than I ever would through the spoken word. Journal keeping was part of an interior landscape that I loved to escape to.
Anyway, I do think that those who do write journals are not only wanting to record events in their day to day lives, but they also may be seeking refuge within the safe pages of a diary. I think for many journal writers, their journals serve as a welcome confidante, someone who will listen unconditionally and accept without prejudice.
posted by Gary F at 8:55 PM
3 Comments:
You have made a great point. A diary/journal can be a place to "let it all out" and not be afraid of hurting anyone or embarassing yourself. As I mentioned in class, I have used my keyboard as a sounding board when I had something on my mind and had to get it out. My computer is very forgiving and never judges me - thank goodness for that.
Interesting perspective on the personalities who write in Diaries. I was never one for it. When I was younger I always wanted one because I wanted a pretty book... haha. However, I'm not one for sitting down and shelling out some ideas.
I tried it once though, around this time last year. I found it was somewhat useful for those certain topics that were most intimate. No matter how good of friends you are with someone, sometimes there are just things that aren't comfortable being said. Sometimes when I re-read my entries, I realized I was more apt to expressing my true feelings on paper rather then to my 'closest' friends. It got me wondering. If I knew these ppl for x amount of years, why was I putting up a front around them?
I think sometimes, Journals can make ppl come to terms with some realities in their life in which they otherwise, may never have noticed. For example, I realized that I had been writing to my journal about certain situations I was dealing with simply so I could let it 'all' out. A friend of mine, possibly unknowningly, always seemed to interrupt me or insist on forever comparing a situation with her own life. I never felt satisfied, like I was truly being listened to. (We're not really friends now... the Journal told me to end it, haha. Kidding) HOWEVER, it may have attributed to it... Like I said, it made me realize something that otherwise, I never would have. Or at least, not as quickly.
After a few months however, after some really dramatic entries, I felt somewhat embarassed for things I said (odd, eh?) and quickly gave up Journal...ing
Besides, there was always this part of me that felt if someone else (capable of responding) could not take in what I had to say, that it was not worth expressing. I need the physical person with a brain and blood flow to hear what I have to say in order for me to feel as though I have really 'let it out'
I guess thats why I have a boyfriend... poor guy :(
hahaha. Toodles!
(This is Amanda, ignore the 'name' this blogger account is from a long time ago...)
Amanda: how on earth can we ignore "cpt. nudie pants"?
Gary: I like what you say. I wonder, though, if there are other motivations for journal-writing. Would the personable Mr. Pepys fit your definition of the typical joural-writer?
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