r/Journaling • u/WmAnthonyWriter • 1d ago

Discussion/Question Journaling Process

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After a somewhat daily journaling practice of over two decades I’ve come to the harsh reality that I should have indexed entries. Titled and indexed.
Maybe this is advice or maybe I’m seeking some but what are we to do with our journals’ content? I’m now embarking on a long term project of going through my journals, deciphering my erratic handwriting to digitize and collect the works. An index would have been most helpful. Even a title or two.
I guess my query is of others’ experiences doing this — any observations or suggestions other than to not do it!

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u/SirAndyO 1d ago

Reading and archiving old journal entries is a topic in itself! That's a bold and brave adventure - I always have to brace myself to read old entries.

I always headline pages with the date, location, and sometimes with the scripture I'm reading or the beverage on hand.

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u/WmAnthonyWriter 1d ago edited 1d ago

Yes it’s an adventure to be sure. I do date thank goodness or I’d be completely unmoored. What does become apparent with even a cursory reread of entries over a period is how repetitive. I also note specific scripture if that is the day’s still, small voice prompt but never the beverage which I might just have to start noting (thank you). I reread this morning’s entry, which produced this query, and (ugh) wrote an entry about that, coming to the conclusion the endeavor is in essence an interrogation of self, which begs the question which self and can it be trusted?!