LOLJournal
I was reading some of my old entries from high school last night. HAHA, old me. It's funny, amazing, yet kind of weird, how some of our priorities and top concerns shift so dramatically with time, while others stay almost exactly the same. But the most amazing thing is that I actually learned things, from the mere act of reading what I had once written.
Also interesting to note how tech has continuously flipped the practice of journaling on its head:
From about the time I was in sixth grade through my Sophomore year in high school, I wrote down a tremendous amount of my thoughts down in notebooks, and on sheets of paper. I shared these with nobody. Years later, I read selected material and laughed.
From my Junior year through the summer before my Freshman year in college, I wrote in notebooks a whole lot less, but instead posted whatever seemed to be on my mind to an online journal (LJ). I shared these with anybody who had an internet connection.
My Freshman year in college, I shared most of my thoughts with a tight-knit group of friends, and vented once in awhile in the online journal. Most of these expressions are long forgotten, or transformed over years of newer experiences and expressions.
From my sophomore year in college through present day, I've videotaped myself. I've shared these clips with one of the most visited sites on the internet, where hundreds of thousands of people have gotten a chance to watch and listen to the contents of my mind. Months later, I still watch some of these videos and laugh.
The human brain is not very good at all at saving a detailed account of one's life events. I think one of the main reasons that the outward expression of thoughts, feelings, beliefs, qualms, or whatever seems relevant is important because you can look back on it, and not only laugh, but instantly compare where you were then to where you are now. Even if the audience of your expression is only future you, you will still benefit a great deal from having the perspective you will inevitably lack should you not express yourself in some recordable format.
Even if its only 10 minutes a week, sit down and reflect. Say what needs to be said. Tell a story. Make one up. It will paint a picture for years to come.
Also interesting to note how tech has continuously flipped the practice of journaling on its head:
From about the time I was in sixth grade through my Sophomore year in high school, I wrote down a tremendous amount of my thoughts down in notebooks, and on sheets of paper. I shared these with nobody. Years later, I read selected material and laughed.
From my Junior year through the summer before my Freshman year in college, I wrote in notebooks a whole lot less, but instead posted whatever seemed to be on my mind to an online journal (LJ). I shared these with anybody who had an internet connection.
My Freshman year in college, I shared most of my thoughts with a tight-knit group of friends, and vented once in awhile in the online journal. Most of these expressions are long forgotten, or transformed over years of newer experiences and expressions.
From my sophomore year in college through present day, I've videotaped myself. I've shared these clips with one of the most visited sites on the internet, where hundreds of thousands of people have gotten a chance to watch and listen to the contents of my mind. Months later, I still watch some of these videos and laugh.
The human brain is not very good at all at saving a detailed account of one's life events. I think one of the main reasons that the outward expression of thoughts, feelings, beliefs, qualms, or whatever seems relevant is important because you can look back on it, and not only laugh, but instantly compare where you were then to where you are now. Even if the audience of your expression is only future you, you will still benefit a great deal from having the perspective you will inevitably lack should you not express yourself in some recordable format.
Even if its only 10 minutes a week, sit down and reflect. Say what needs to be said. Tell a story. Make one up. It will paint a picture for years to come.