Journaling: Paper vs Digital
If you are looking into getting into Journaling or are a long time Journal user you might have heard of digital Journaling. You might also be wondering What is digital Journaling is, Is it worth it? What is the difference between Journaling with a physical paper Journal vs a digital Journal? In this post we’ll explore the differences between paper and digital Journals.
Why Journal?
It can be a place where you write about your day, explore feelings, use as a creative outlet or write poetry. The great thing about a Journal is it can be anything you want it to be. It is your blank canvas.
Paper Journal
Provides a tactical experience that many of us find soothing. Since iPad’s and tablets have only been around for 15 years a lot of us learned how to write with paper and pencils. It’s the basic building block of our learning experience. So hearing a pen or pencil against a piece of paper can create a calming reaction.
How to use:
You can write stories or poems in your Journal. Or you can create a Junk Journal, which is gathering items that you’ve purchased and reusing the packaging to decorate your Journal. Whether that be inspiring quotes, a summary of your day or a way to express yourself creatively. There are also guided Journals that have guided prompts and illustrations in them to keep you motivated.
Example of Physical Journal
My physical Journal where I generally write poems or other feelings. I typically use a Physical Journal when I know the feeling and aren’t worried about someone reading my entries.
Example of Physical Guided Journal
A guided physical Journal with prompts to explore feelings.
This is the Embrace your Reflection Journal: A Self-Guided Journal for loving your body.
Digital Journal
You can create a similar tactical experience with digital planning if you choose a stylus like an apple pencil and a screen protector that has a paper like texture. However, you won’t have the tactile feel of a booklet. A pro of Digital Journals is most planning apps are password protected. So you don’t have to worry about someone reading your Journal entries.
How to use:
You can do the same things in a digital Journal as paper but you have the internet and apps at your fingertips. I personally like going to Procreate to draw my feelings and then drag it into my Journal to write about the feeling more. Another pro about Digital Journals is that they are diverse. You can easily make it be your planner, scrapbook and notebook with the ease of Hyperlinks.
Example of Digital Journal
Example of how I insert a Procreate drawing in my digital Journal & then write about it.
Conclusion:
Whether your choose to use paper or a tablet the important thing to remember is to be easy on yourself. You don’t have to Journal everyday or create beautiful works of art. Your Journal is your safe space, where you can doodle and write about anything that you want.
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Start your Journaling Journey today with this Self-Care Dotted Journal Bundle.