If you’ve been reading our blog entries you’ve likely concluded there are many different reasons to keep a journal. We have scores of famous people who have given us insight into their world through their own journaling.
Nearly every famous person, from Nobel Peace Prize winners such as Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, to famous artists such as Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, Jim Henson or actress Carrie Fisher and scores of others kept their journals close by.
It isn’t too difficult to imagine Lewis and Clark making detailed notes of their expedition across the country in a leather journal that looked something like USCHA’s embossed leather journal.
1. Writing Lasts
“This was its unfolding, from beginning to end, as found in writing.” – From Ancient Egyptian literature
It’s easy to take writing for granted. Since antiquity, being able to put pen to paper has been considered a precious thing. The ancient Egyptians believed that being able to write had the ability to cause someone to ‘live forever’ and in a very real way, make them immortal. There is no denying that there is just something special about putting pen to paper. When you write inside a leather journal, all your senses are engaged and it makes the time that is spent writing a gift that you give to yourself. Journals can serve as a sort of snapshot of the world and what was going on in our mind at the time in that moment.
2. The Power of Creation
As humans, we are all given the urge to create. This desire to create finds a way to manifest itself in several ways. Every story, every poem, every work of art that we make begins as an idea. It doesn’t matter if you are writing your own biography, keeping track of your thoughts, drawing, painting or making other kinds of art, doing research or whatever way you choose to use a journal; setting those ideas down on paper in your journal is empowering.
3. Keep Track of your Ideas & Dreams
Inspiration can come and go in an instant. Having your leather journal with you at all times gives you the space to write down ideas as you have them; before they mysteriously evaporate without a trace. If you have daydreams that you’d like to try, your journal is the one place where anything goes! Write about your aspirations and goals, or places you intend to visit in your travels or through journeying in your imagination by writing fiction.
According to an article written by Meredith Quinn-Caprioli, editor of The Writer magazine, keeping a journal may allow you to develop a new story or character or get ideas hidden from past experiences and events. Even the dreams you have had while asleep can provide a treasure trove of ideas to be developed into future projects. Having a journal like the Basics Notebook with you at all times and even by your bedside at night can help you keep track of it all.
4. Recording your Goals & Accomplishments
It’s been said that a goal is just a dream until you write it down. It’s also a place to map out ways to solve any problems you encounter while you’re trying to achieve those goals. Having it down on paper shows our progress in a very tangible way. Once you have worked toward and achieved a goal, showing gratitude for making the goal a reality can help you realize even more of your goals.
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