Hi, I have always said that writing a journal by hand is more therapeutic than typing it on the computer. I have kept notebooks for years. However, I am now not writing in my journal very much at all, even though I want to do, because my hand soon gets tired from writing and then I don't write as much as I need to, plus I do get concerned about privacy and I think I would feel more at ease knowing I'd got a password protected journal on a computer. I have now bought a notebook laptop which is easy to carry around and I guess when I don't have it on me and want to write I could write on paper and type it up afterwards. The thing is I don't know if this computer journalling will work. I do like the character of a written diary but I keep a handwritten appointment diary (which isn't as private) and I find this OK as I don't care for electronic appointment diaries as by the time you have accessed the date you could have flipped over a page in your diary and writing short entries doesn't make your hand ache. Also, regarding privacy, I have loads of paper journals locked in a tin but there still is the fear of them being seen, the lock being accessed or anything. What do I do with those? If I am to keep my journals on line in future then I don't want any of them hanging around to be seen. Typing the old ones up would take forever. How many of you journal on a computer and do you find it better than writing by hand?

Hi Citygirl. I have an entire bin of journals that I've kept since 1986 (with a long gap from 1988-1999). I don't worry about privacy in those as I think it's wrong to read someone elses journal, so shame on anyone who would read mine without my permission. I'm not concerned. They would be wrong. Not me.

When it comes to electronic journals, I don't do well with these in that I can't truly be myself when I'm typing. When I'm typing it's like I'm trying to compose. I'm going back and editing etc, whereas when I'm writing my thoughts by hand I'm more in touch with what I'm truly trying to express. My thoughts and ideas flow.

Also I love having actual little books to look through. You can't do that if everything is on the computer.

Hello! I'd like to jump in here... I have been writing a journal for 45 years, and it's been over ten years since I started keeping it on the computer. Typing is a whole lot easier on my achey old hands than writing in longhand.

There are many ways to get more of a feel of journal-writing when you're typing. One is to use a journal-writing program. There are quite a few, and nearly all of them let you try them out before you buy them so you won't get stuck with a program you never use. Another way is what I did- namely to make a template in a word-processing program. I did one for Microsoft Word and sent it in to them, and it's actually available on their downloads site.

There are advantages and disadvantages for everything, I think. The lack of pen-and-paper feeling is, to me, compensated by my ability to insert images and change font styles anytime I like!

The journal resides on a USB flash drive, so it goes where I go.

As for my many, many volumes of old journals... I haven't decided what to do with them. I don't have any children to be either embarrassed or bored to death by my ramblings, so they'll probably eventually end up in a landfill after I shuffle off this mortal coil! As for now, I can honestly tell you that no one really gives a good rat's patooty about my writings...

I really like the idea of keeping a journal on my computer. It's easier (and neater) for me to type than write. If I have to write something, i tend to put it off.

I like the idea of keeping a journal on my computer but I will also admit that the feeling is not the same as when I write it by hand. Also about privacy, physical journals are easy to get to, but electronic journals can be hacked into as well. Plus, if your hard drive crashes, so do all of your journals, so you have to constantly back everything up. I guess there are pros and cons to each...

I like having a journal, but i only write it by hand. Not really keen about the electronical journal hehe :)

You could always donate old journals to a historical society with a caveat that they not be opened for 100 years. I bet in 100 years that people might be interested in how people of "our time" thought, just like we'd be interested in reading journals from the 1800s.

I like having a pretty journal to curl up in bed with. I do also like doing online journals during the day, i.e. my blog posts.

I have to do both. I need to feel pen on paper, but if something is screaming to get out, then I turn to the computer. The only issue with this is that you have too many things in too many places.

I was just reading an article on computer vs hand writing a journal. It said handwriting activates the brain more, so we are more apt to act on the goals or situations we were writing about. I'm not computer literate enough to journal on the computer, so have handwritten journals only.

Elizabeth,
Could you share what the title of the article is that you mentioned? I am really interested in reading it. I am someone that needs to write things out, whether it is journals or notes or a reading log. I don't retain things as long if I type them. Something about writing them down keeps them in my brain for that much longer so maybe that is why I retain them more.

This wasn't an article as such . I just googled something like "What is the difference between hand writing and computer journaling?" I have a head injury, with a lot of memory issues. I need to make the most out of my writing because I will forget what I have accomplished if it's not in my journal. One of the scientific sites mentioned that by hand writing, you're making your RAS ( reticular (something) in your brain more active. That's what I was referring to when I said writing by hand helps you retain more. (I am constantly looking for ways to bypass the limits due to my brain injury) . I hope this answers your question!

Elizabeth,
Thanks for answering! Yes, that makes sense. Writing by hand definitely does something for memory.

I am also messing with a program that lets one make an actual font out of their own handwriting! I have a font done, so when I write in my digital journal it really does look handwritten!

I have been thinking about this problem, But I insist writing by hand, 'cause I am afraid that my ability of writing would be degenerated, thus my suggestion is that when you can write, write as soon as possible!:)

Right you are! The bottomest of the bottom line is, to me, doing it YOUR WAY. Not my way, not the author of a book's way... YOUR WAY. Take all kinds of hints and suggestions from books and sites and anyplace else, and make it work for YOU. Feel free to change as you see fit. That's the joy of a journal... YOU are the boss, the head high honcho, the Big Cheese, the captain of the ship! What other things in your life are that cool?

Well, since we started this topic, I think a lot more people have come to use tablets like the I-pad and even phones to keep a journal. How does that affect how one writes? Seems like the spontaneity would be better, yes?

I cannot afford anything like that right now, but perhaps in the future....?

So, anyone care to share?

Either you are writing through hand or typing on computer, it matters how perfection ally you write and feels the written words emotionally. That’s the guru mantra for writing well.

Right! I still maintain that the absolute best way, in fact the ONLY way, a person should ever write a journal is...

YOUR way!

Not my way, not the way of a famous journal author, not the way the journaling seminar leader said you should, but your own way. Not that you can't glean many great tips, hints, and great ideas from journaling books, seminars, and websites, and of course, this message board, but (in my not at all humble opinion) you should take such ideation and make it work your own way, for you!

Again, my opinion... I think writing should be a pleasure. Fun, even. And who can have fun when they're conscious of this rule and that rule they think they should be following? Journaling is also a super way of releasing stress. Piling on rules to follow kind of defeats the purpose.

As for electronic journaling, I had to give up hand-writing my journal years ago due to pain in my hands and wrists from arthritis, carpal tunnel, and fibromyalgia. I found myself not writing as much, or stopping when I wanted to write more, on account of pain!

So I started writing on the computer, and over the years I have gotten used to it. I've figured out all kinds of ways to make it unique and totally my own! For instance, I use fun page borders and templates, make my own fonts, and the page numbers are dachshund weenie dogs!

Writing by hand versus typing - why not do both? I wrote a newspaper column for many years, and now I have a blog. As an old codger, set in my ways, I find it infinitely more satisfying to write everything in long-hand. Then I edit it, then quickly type it on the computer, then print it, then proof it again to make sure it reads exactly the way I want it to read, and only THEN copy-and-paste it onto my blogsite for all my adoring fans to read - i.e. both of them.

That way I get the best of both worlds, I reckon. The typing is a very quick process because all the thinking is done with a pencil in hand. And the electronic record is safe for evermore.

This year I am going to master my Dragon software. i just want to talk and have things appear. Seems almost magical if i can just get the fairy dust going.