Throwing Out Journals
Since buying a new bookshelf we’ve been in a frenzy of rearranging and throwing things out around here. First it was the study, where the old bookshelf went, and now other areas of the house are being hit. I suppose it’s best to do this when you’re in the mood and when other things are getting the big heave-ho, too. So, I decided to be brave and go through some of my journals stored above the shelving in my daughter’s room. I didn’t count them. That might happen yet, though, if I have to leave them stacked next to the rubbish bin until next collection day. The one thing I did do was take a photo to share with you, see below.
These are mostly morning pages and night journals. It felt good going through the massive pile and chucking them out. There’s a nice big space left now for hubby to store some of his stuff. Have you kept or thrown out your morning pages or other journals? Was it a difficult decision or easily made? Have you never kept this many journals before in order to be able to come to this decision? Please share any journal throwing out sessions in the comments section below.
Heather
Photo is my own.
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POSTED IN: General: Journal Writing, Journal Writing Prompts
12 opinions for Throwing Out Journals
Jennifer VanSchoyck
Jun 25, 2008 at 4:58 am
I too just did this! I went through boxes of stuff that I’ve moved with me more times than I want to count. Igot rid of most of it, and I sat andread through pages of some old journals and made the decision to get rid of some of those too. It’s very freeing isn’t it!
Cassie Justice
Jun 25, 2008 at 8:39 am
I’m not sure about these blog journals, or, if you have copied the journals into a blog or some other way……. So…….IF I had not copied the information, there is NO WAY I would throw them away.
shawn
Jun 25, 2008 at 12:04 pm
you threw out your journals!? WOW! you ARE brave! I just stumbled upon your blog because I’m in the midst of a huge “throwing stuff out” and getting organized … and it’s taking me days to do this! I could never part getting rid of my journals, though. The most important thing is that you feel good doing that. Because that’s what counts and most important. I admire you… Keep going! :O)
Heather Goldsmith
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:37 pm
Hi Jennifer,
Well, so far I think it is; freeing, that is. Having them sit there in the kitchen next to the bin is kind of taunting me, though. I’d rather have just ditched them without having to second think the act. By seeing them I am having those thoughts. I did like sorting out what was worth chucking, though. There’s something in the decluttering, which I think even Julia Cameron mentions, too. Thanks so much for your comment. ;-)
Heather Goldsmith
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Hi Cassie,
I might have considered copying some of the info, but I don’t think I could reread a lot of the entries, even if I wanted to. The writing in my morning pages is mostly unreadable. The night journals contain recaps of the entries from my usual journals, so I suppose I’m not really throwing anything out. Morning pages really are junk, even to look at. Lol. I appreciate you leaving a comment, too. ;-)
Heather Goldsmith
Jun 25, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Hi Shawn,
Yeah, I felt brave doing a big chuck out. ;-) The more I think about it, I don’t really feel I’m throwing out anything important, though. As I mentioned above, most of the entries are undecipherable. Thanks for leaving a comment. I appreciate your thoughts. ;-)
Shai Coggins
Jun 26, 2008 at 5:23 am
Wow. Throwing out journals?! I’ve already left/lost a few over the years - and I can’t stand the thought of losing/throwing out more. At least, not yet.
Jaunt Around the Channel
Jun 26, 2008 at 4:11 pm
[...] Heather talks about getting rid of old journals. I don’t think I could ever do that! Maybe one day. Could you get rid of [...]
Heather Goldsmith
Jun 27, 2008 at 12:56 am
Hi Shai,
Yeah, well these particular morning pages and night journals have been sitting there for quite some time. I wouldn’t have been ready a couple of years ago, but I am now. Thanks for leaving a comment. ;-)
Laura
Jun 28, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I can’t imagine throwing out any of my journals. Again, it is like disowning a part of yourself.
Heather Goldsmith
Jun 29, 2008 at 2:12 am
Hi Laura,
Lol, I think you’d agree if you’d seen these entries. I couldn’t read them, so it wasn’t much use keeping them. Still, it’s been a long time coming around to this point in my life - being able to let go of old journals. Thanks for leaving a comment. ;-)
Freaky Friday #117
Jul 1, 2008 at 1:07 am
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