Vanessence: 2019 NanoPoblano Post #3

Saturday, November 9, 2019

2019 NanoPoblano Post #3

Nearly everything I’ve read about journaling mentions that writing by hand is the best way to go. Okay, I get it. Improves memory, unleashes creativity, eases anxiety, and the list goes on. Sometimes though, it’s simply not practical in that moment to sit down with paper and pen/cil to write in a journal. Sometimes you need the flexibility that the digital age offers. I mean, we’re in it now, might as well take advantage when we need to, right?

While typing on a device is hard for me, there are times when it can really come in handy. For instance, I’m lying in bed and I remember there was something I wanted to jot down. Well, I’m not going to get back up to do it! Grabbing my phone or tablet is so much more convenient and it just simply gets the job done.

I’ve tried a lot of journal apps. I’m kind of the App Queen at my house, lol. I have tried all but one of the apps listed below. All have free versions, some have pay upgrades. Some include habit/mood trackers, like Daylio. Some are writing prompts. Some, like WriteADay, are just for making quick “log entries,” others are for making longer, more detailed entries. Some, you can even add pictures. Some have sharing capabilities. It just depends on what you’re looking for.

My personal favorites are WriteADay, Daylio, Diarium, Cozi, and WordPress.

It might seem strange to include WordPress on this list, but here’s why I added it. You can create a separate, private journaling blog. If you go to Dashboard==>>Settings==>>Reading you can set up a free blog so that it’s totally private and seen only by you. There’s an app for any and all your devices, you can use it on a computer, you can add pictures, everything is dated, you can have your location added automatically if you’re out and about, you can personalize the look of it, it will sync across all your devices, it’s free, you can print hard copies of your entries if you’d like, and you can share a post with a friend if you want. You can even draft posts while offline on the mobile apps. It’s ideal for journaling.

There are so many journaling options now, so many ways for “uncloggin’ your noggin’” that it almost adds its own kind of anxiety to journaling. So many choices! Ben Franklin had a quill and parchment. We have a cornucopia of journaling riches. Try one. Try them all!

I’d love to hear your thoughts!

~Vanessa