A divergent journaler refers to someone who embraces a diverse approach to journaling and encompasses a wide range of ideas, thoughts, methods, and experiences within one book. To become divergent, you must let go of rules and free yourself from the constraints of what others do.
Let’s look at some of the things you can do in a journal.
Writing
You can record various thoughts, emotions, memories, or experiences in your journal. It can be done in a ‘Dear Diary’ format or in a ‘To-Do’ list fashion.
Record daily events.
Write about memories. A journal entry doesn’t have to include anything from the day your day-to-day living. Instead, write about something that happened in the past and how it made you feel.
Expand on anything that you write. ‘I went to the store’ is very different from a couple of paragraphs explaining how you got there, how long you were there, what you did, and what you saw.
Creative Expression
Transform your journal into a canvas for creative expression using doodles, sketches, or creative writing.
Explore art journaling. Some art journaling uses heavy usage of paints. When you are incorporating art journaling into a regular journal, changes will need to be made in how you use your paints. Painting a page with gesso will allow you to turn almost any paper into a paintable surface.
Doodle or sketch onto the corners of pages or in the middle of the writing where you wouldn’t usually see it used.
Draw your elements, such as sticky notes, banners, and flags.
Use a matte medium to collage onto any paper in your journal.
Add stickers and embellishments meant for a scrapbook or planner.
Let your imagination run free. Just because you have written a paragraph about your day doesn’t mean it has to be boring text alone.
Memory Keeping
Cherish memories by capturing them in written or visual form. For example, you can use scrapbook-style pages, incorporate photos, draw the memory, or provide a written description.
Visual memory keeping: Include photos or photo stickers on your page. You can tape or glue them right into your journal. It’s yours!
Written memory keeping: Write out a description of the memory
Combine both visual and written; there are no rules.
Planning
Incorporate pages that are geared toward your monthly plans if it suits you. I use a monthly log page out of Ryder Carrol’s playbook. As a result, this single page is the only form of ‘planning’ I do. My day-to-day routine changes too much to have any schedule or ongoing planning process.
Being a divergent journaler is about embracing the creative and exploratory aspects of journaling. Therefore, you should celebrate the diversity of your thoughts and experiences and free yourself from the constraints of separate journals. Make one book your go-to creative outlet.
Enjoy the journey
In conclusion, something other than what works for you today may work differently than tomorrow. Stay open to change, be willing to try new things, and don’t hesitate to return to what worked in the past. Similarly, discard those preconceived rules and, most importantly, enjoy the journey as a divergent journaler.
You won’t find many photos of my journal; it’s private and special to me. I do not want or need criticism from anyone on how I use my personal space. I encourage you not to compare yourself to others but to embrace your unique journaling experience as you move forward. Using photos of other journals, spreads, or designs is GREAT if you use them as inspiration; however, please don’t use them to compare yourself to. Your journal should look and feel different from everyone else’s.
Happy Journaling!
Sarah G.
