Journalling is a wonderful world that turbocharges our writing skills in ways perhaps we never imagined.
Picture this: You’re sitting with your journal, pen in hand, and suddenly, your creative juices start flowing like a waterfall after a heavy rain. Journaling is like that secret doorway to your subconscious mind, where ideas and inspiration lurk. It’s a place where you can be unapologetically vulnerable with your thoughts and just let it all out. Your writing will thank you for it. Plus, it’s a neat way to reflect on your experiences and thoughts, leading to better, more insightful writing.
Bonus: it clears away those pesky negative thoughts, so you can be a more productive and happier writer. Win-win!
Alexis de Tocqueville
Journaling isn’t just about jotting down your thoughts. Experts do stress that it’s a playground for words. The more you journal, the more you’ll notice your vocabulary expanding. And guess what? You can go crazy with that dictionary. Embrace new words, understand the ins and outs of grammar, and level up your sentence construction. It’s like a fun language workout that’ll make your writing pop!
In the early 19th century, French sociologist Alexis de Tocqueville journeyed to the United States to inspect and study the American prison system. Little did he know that this expedition would lead to the creation of one of the most influential books on democracy in the history of political thought.
Tocqueville’s initial goal was to examine the prison system. But as he travelled through the young United States, he couldn’t help but be captivated by the unique social and political landscape unfolding before him. This journey, which spanned two years, became a profound exploration of the American experiment in democracy.
To gather and organize his thoughts during this epic voyage, Tocqueville relied on a set of fifteen notebooks. These notebooks became the canvas on which he painted his observations, impressions, and insights into the American way of life. They served as the foundation for his seminal work on democracy.
What makes Tocqueville’s approach truly fascinating is how he structured these notebooks. Instead of merely jotting down random observations and musings, he centred his entries around key concepts related to democracy. Concepts like “jury” and “bankruptcy” served as focal points for his exploration. He meticulously recorded his observations of these abstract ideas in practice, delved into his own thoughts on the matter, and even engaged in interviews with locals to gain a deeper understanding.
Over the course of two years, Tocqueville’s notebooks became a treasure trove of knowledge and insight, providing a detailed and rich account of American society, politics, and culture. These notes would later be transmuted into his magnum opus, Democracy in America.
Tocqueville’s notebooks stand as a testament to the profound impact that a traveler’s musings can have on the world of ideas, and “Democracy in America” remains a beacon of wisdom in the ongoing exploration of democratic societies.
Leonardo da Vinci was not only a masterful artist but also a prodigious thinker and chronicler.
The sheer volume of da Vinci’s notes is astonishing, estimated to be between 20,000 to 28,000 pages, spread across approximately 50 different notebooks. These notebooks served as the canvas for his thoughts, sketches, and ideas, encompassing an astounding array of topics that spanned the spectrum of human knowledge. Da Vinci’s curiosity knew no bounds, and his notebooks bear witness to his relentless pursuit of understanding the world.
What’s even more remarkable is the longevity of his note-taking habit. He began his journaling journey at the age of 26 and continued diligently for over four decades, right up until his passing at the age of 67 in 1519.
Within the pages of these notebooks, one can find sophisticated sketches of inventions, anatomical studies, architectural designs, and artistic concepts. Yet, da Vinci’s journal entries weren’t limited to traditional note-taking. He was known for his unique habit of writing in reverse text, which has intrigued scholars for centuries. This idiosyncratic practice was perhaps an attempt to keep his notes private, as he was protective of his ideas and intellectual property.
But what truly stands out in da Vinci’s notebooks is his unrelenting obsession with understanding the world around him. His writings and sketches reveal a profound and ceaseless curiosity. Whether it was the study of light and shadow, the mechanics of flight, the intricacies of the human body, or the mysteries of geology and geography, da Vinci’s journals are a testament to the boundless depth of his interests.
Among the plethora of entries in his notebooks, there is one statement that stands out: “I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.” This statement encapsulates da Vinci’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and his belief in the practical application of that knowledge.
A journal entry by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks are a treasure trove of human curiosity. It is a reminder that the written word and the act of documenting one’s thoughts can serve as a timeless legacy. His journals continue to inspire and captivate scholars, artists, and thinkers, as they provide a window into the mind of one of history’s most exceptional polymaths.
When you journal, it’s like you’ve got a backstage pass to your thoughts, free from the judgment of others. That’s when the magic happens. You can take risks and experiment with words like a mad scientist. No need to be eloquent or constructive – just be you. Be creative, cut the fluff, and let your prose shine with clarity.
Regular journaling helps you understand your thoughts and emotions better, leading to smoother, emotionally charged writing. It’s like supercharging the engine of your writing brain. Plus, it’s a fantastic thought organiser, making those lightbulb moments more frequent.
The more you write, the better you get. It’s as simple as that. With every entry in your journal, you’re strengthening your writing muscles. This doesn’t just make you a better writer, but it also increases the likelihood of producing top-notch work.
Ever feel like your thoughts and emotions are a tangled mess? Journaling can untangle that web. It forces you to face your feelings head-on, helping you work through them and find clarity in life’s complexities. It’s like a mini therapy session on paper, and it’ll make your essays and articles flow with more fluency and clarity.
Your sentences are the building blocks of your writing, and journaling can help you organize them into solid structures. It’s like constructing a beautiful, well-organized house for your thoughts. As you reflect on your work in progress, you can make the necessary edits to ensure your writing is focused and clear.
Sachitra Mahendra