Journey Journal Reflection

I wrote 40 entries this semester in what my professor likes to call our Journey Journal. It’s a Journal we’re supposed to write in everyday about whatever topic we choose without worry of grammatical errors. Because of the anti-rules, I couldn’t cross out my errors or when the sentence changed tenses and such, it affected my grammar when writing for more formal settings. It enabled me to write more freely (some what) but when writing for other classes my grammar or the attention I paid to them was less effective. The first thoughts activity was pretty easy for me because I was writing about something that had just happened to me before class. Therefore, the words came easily and I was able to not pay attention to grammar and follow all of the anti-rules. However, after that first entry, the anti-rules became rather annoying. More so though was the fact the notebook had no lines. I loved the idea of having a journal and writing on it every day but when given rules on grammar like not being able to cross out a mistake sort of took the creativity out of it for me. I was distracted by the error wanting to rewrite it or at the very least cross it out. Because I wasn’t able to do so, sometimes that would be a thing I would have to write about, incredibly so. Maybe that says more about me than of the rules.

            When it came to sitting down to write, I would do it as a way to let off steam or in some cases even just my personal feelings out of a certain situation. First, though, I would put on the stopwatch for 10 minutes to write for the amount needed. Sometimes I would keep writing and most times I would have to prolong the writing by talking about my writing. As time progressed, it became easier to write for the time that was needed and not have to think much about it. As a writer I have learned, I have a bit of OCD with grammar and actually enjoy writing. I am continuing the journal; only I make it a rule to correct errors so as to better my writing skills and also to let my feelings out. It’s a great outlet and nobody gets stuck in the cross fires if mad or extremely sad. I can say that I grew; I am going through a time in my life where a lot of decisions have to be made and also went through a very difficult time emotionally. This was an excellent way to know what I wanted out of life and how I felt about the situation.