The Divergent Journaler

A divergent journaler refers to someone who embraces a diverse approach to journaling, someone who encompasses a wide range of ideas, thoughts, methods, and experiences all within one book. You will need to let go of rules and free yourself from the constraints of what others do in order to become divergent.

Here are some of the things that you can do in your journal :

1. Writing:
   • You can record a variety of 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 doesnt have to include anything from the day you’re 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 while there.
2. Creative Expression:
   • Transform your journal into a canvas for creative expression by using doodles, sketches, or creative writing.
     • Explore art journaling. Some art journaling uses heavy usage of paints. When you are incorprating art journaling into a regular journal, the usage of paint has to be changed up or altered. Painting a page with gesso will allow you to turn almost any weight of paper into a paintable surface.
     • Doodle or sketch onto the corners of pages where you wouldn’t normally see it used.
     • Draw your own elements such as sticky notes, banners, flags.
     • Use 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 put in a written paragraph about your day doesn’t mean it has to be boring text alone.
3. 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 into 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.
4. Planning:
   • Incorprate pages that are geared toward your monthly plans if it suits you. I personally use a monthly log page right out of Ryder Carrol’s playbook. As a result, this single page is the only form of ‘planning’ I do. My day to day changes entirely too much to have any kind of schedule or ongoing 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, what works for you today may not work 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.

Additionally, 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 relish in your unique journaling experience as you move forward. Using the photos of other journals, spreads, or designs is GREAT if you are using 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.