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writing || brief thoughts on private journaling vs public writing

IoanaDecember 19, 2018

Journaling. It’s great, but I’m starting to think blogging may be a better practice. Writing for others forces you to make sense to minds other than your own and be a coherent personality. It’s a bit more challenging but also requires more effort to ensure your words are as raw and organic as possible – because, after all, they’re for other people. (And what’s for other people must always be a notch higher in elegance, polish and poise… Right?)

On that last fragment – I wonder whether we prioritize what is “public” out of a desire to appear outwardly more put-together, or simply to cater to others’ expectations and provide them with a better experience when reading our stuff… (what do you think?)

On the fear of going public

Furthermore, one might argue that when you journal for no one else but yourself you’re able to be a bit more honest without having to filter what you say through a lens of Integrity, Humility, and Meekness. Yes, with a capital I, H and M, because those are our the ultimate contemporary Holy Virtues. But I disagree – you can be just as honest in capturing your shapeless thoughts and feelings with the right communication style. Words, context, atmosphere – can all build the same precise message. It’s just a matter of being willing to take the time to find the right words rather than resorting to an impulsive, albeit socially or politically incorrect statements that are often predicated on cliches and overused expressions.

In more straightforward terms, what I’m trying to say is that theoretically, anything and everything is “safe” to share with other people. Perhaps it’s just our inability to communicate our intentions and motives clearly enough that creates room for misinterpretation and unfair judgements. Of course, disagreement is normal surrounding the values and principles we use to reach certain conclusions. But our fear of appearing too selfish, self-absorbed, paranoid, and anxiety-ridden is irrational. It’s not the thoughts that posses those qualities, but the words we use to describe them.

On change

Another reason I’m sometimes scared to voice thoughts and prefer to journal them is if they’re not fully fledged. Partially for the reasons stated above and partially because I don’t want people to get the wrong idea. Politicians are far too familiar with this phenomenon – a population’s distrust of anyone who openly changes their mind about things. However, on both the receiver and the communicators’ ends, this is something that ought to be tackled with a mindset change. When something is spoken, it’s not ultimate truth. Not only should the communicator understand and convey that their mind might be changed given the right formulation of challenging ideas, but the receiver must be open enough to acknowledge that they cannot evaluate someone from their current un-enlightened state. Maybe in five seconds they’ll realize how bonkers they are. Maybe you’ll talk reason into them. Maybe you’re the one who was wrong all along. Things are in constant motion!


On that note, I’d love for you to tell me why I’m right or wrong in the comments below. 😉

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Comments (4)

  • Suzanne

    December 19, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    When I read blogs, I read them because I enjoy what the writer is saying, and I’ve never felt that writer was couching her words. In my opinion, you need to be true to yourself and if blogging causes you to think that is not possible, then you may start to not enjoy it. I don’t see why one cannot do both. Journaling, depending on if it’s like a “diary” type of journaling should be private. However, on the other hand, if you journal About a fight you had with someone, if you blog it others may find a commonality with you. So, I guess what I am saying is you need to choose if that is your desire. … Just be true to yourself. Hugs Suzanne

    Reply
    1. Ioana

      December 19, 2018 at 10:03 pm

      That’s so true – and I agree that in the case of a personal matter like a fight it’s best to keep it in a journal and not publicly write about it. Thanks for the comment! 😊

      Reply
  • Ronja

    December 21, 2018 at 12:52 pm

    I personally use a journal. just because i can write down my thoughts without an order and without having to explain them to others. But often that´s just the first step. Afterwards i can re-read the things i wrote from a more subjective point of view, re-think about it and then share it with others (even if sharing for me means just talking about it). That´s just my opinion. So, yes it depends on the person and i´m happy that you found for yourself blogging is the better choice, because i really enjoy reading your posts, thanks <3

    Reply
    1. Ioana

      December 22, 2018 at 11:04 pm

      That’s a great way to think about it – I often go back over things I’ve written in my journal to use as blog material too! And thank you so much, it means a lot to me that you read and enjoy my posts! <3

      Reply

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Nice to meet you!

Hi, it’s Ioana! I’m a blogger, brand marketer, and recent Queen’s Commerce alumni. When I’m not drinking coffee, reading, studying or exploring the city, I dabble in creative projects like this one!

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ioana | mistral spirit | organization & creativity
Caught the @evergreen_brick_works farmers market t Caught the @evergreen_brick_works farmers market this Saturday for another @usktoronto sketching meetup! Always a great time with this group. 🥳 I’ll admit I didn’t do much sketching this time around… was *very* busy making the rounds at the farmers market. 😜

#usktoronto #torontosketching #evergreenbrickworksmarket #urbansketching #travelsketch
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Totally in my element at the @usktoronto exhibition reception event at @atoriginto a couple weekends ago. The exhibit showcases sketches by local artists that are primarily done on-location in places we travel to or live in. I’ve tagged a few of the artists so you can tap through to their profiles!

You might remember helping me choose which two sketches to submit to the show application back in December. Check them out hanging right there on the wall in slide 3! 

And HUGE thanks for helping me narrow it down. 🥰

If you’re in the area come check it out. (Or better yet, let’s go together!) 👯‍♀️

#urbansketching #travelsketching #urbansketchers #usktoronto #usk #travelsketchtoronto #urbansketchersexhibit
Some more photos from our @usktoronto urban sketch Some more photos from our @usktoronto urban sketchers meetup this Sunday in Toronto at @theonlycafe!

Instantly loved the interior of this cafe. 👌 I feel like maximalist interiors speak to my soul. Its late and maybe this isn’t quite it, but … they sort of remind me of my favourite people.

#urbansketchers #torontoart #urbansketch #sketchbook #sketching #artjournal #travelsketch #drawyourday #watercolor #urbansketching #sketchjournal #finelinerdrawing #moleskine #moleskinesketchbook #watercolortraveljournal #watercolordrawing #traveljournal #travelwatercolor
The most perfect Sunday morning sketching meetup w The most perfect Sunday morning sketching meetup with @usktoronto at @theonlycafe 🥰 Art + chill + new friends + coffee = happy soul

Thanks for organizing @satori3000! Check out these talented artists: @deshpande.shardul @maragulens @aish_cj @april.sketchedthis @sarawenn17 @beverleydaniels5 @hirtescufineart @sonalipraharajarts @satori3000 @sonyapadovani @michaeltsouras
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Caught the @evergreen_brick_works farmers market t Caught the @evergreen_brick_works farmers market this Saturday for another @usktoronto sketching meetup! Always a great time with this group. 🥳 I’ll admit I didn’t do much sketching this time around… was *very* busy making the rounds at the farmers market. 😜

#usktoronto #torontosketching #evergreenbrickworksmarket #urbansketching #travelsketch
little cup, GIANT smile 🥳 Totally in my elemen little cup, GIANT smile 🥳

Totally in my element at the @usktoronto exhibition reception event at @atoriginto a couple weekends ago. The exhibit showcases sketches by local artists that are primarily done on-location in places we travel to or live in. I’ve tagged a few of the artists so you can tap through to their profiles!

You might remember helping me choose which two sketches to submit to the show application back in December. Check them out hanging right there on the wall in slide 3! 

And HUGE thanks for helping me narrow it down. 🥰

If you’re in the area come check it out. (Or better yet, let’s go together!) 👯‍♀️

#urbansketching #travelsketching #urbansketchers #usktoronto #usk #travelsketchtoronto #urbansketchersexhibit
Some more photos from our @usktoronto urban sketch Some more photos from our @usktoronto urban sketchers meetup this Sunday in Toronto at @theonlycafe!

Instantly loved the interior of this cafe. 👌 I feel like maximalist interiors speak to my soul. Its late and maybe this isn’t quite it, but … they sort of remind me of my favourite people.

#urbansketchers #torontoart #urbansketch #sketchbook #sketching #artjournal #travelsketch #drawyourday #watercolor #urbansketching #sketchjournal #finelinerdrawing #moleskine #moleskinesketchbook #watercolortraveljournal #watercolordrawing #traveljournal #travelwatercolor
The most perfect Sunday morning sketching meetup w The most perfect Sunday morning sketching meetup with @usktoronto at @theonlycafe 🥰 Art + chill + new friends + coffee = happy soul

Thanks for organizing @satori3000! Check out these talented artists: @deshpande.shardul @maragulens @aish_cj @april.sketchedthis @sarawenn17 @beverleydaniels5 @hirtescufineart @sonalipraharajarts @satori3000 @sonyapadovani @michaeltsouras
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Pls note: photos taken “while reading” are obviously not as impromptu as they may appear on Instagram. They’re usually when (a) you’re on a reading intermission because you either haven’t started or are getting a bit tired of reading for so long or (b) there’s a long period of descriptive text that doesn’t necessarily represent the quality of the book and is a good time to hashtag let-me-take-a-selfie. So don’t read this one page and form an opinion about the book. Instagram isn’t reality. 😜

Pls also note I’m only 40% through the book so my review isn’t definite. I’ve been burned before by jumping too excitedly to recommend a book (in this case, TV show) to everyone around me before realizing it gets WEIRD later on. So take my moment of excitement with a grain of salt - more thoughts to come!
Just received this new pen from @bulletjournal and Just received this new pen from @bulletjournal and @leuchtturm1917 @leuchtturm1917canada! 👀 Here’s a closer look!

Can you tell I had so much fun unboxing this 😅 It’s my new desk pen for days that I want to feel a little ✨fancy✨

#gifted #pen #amwriting #bulletjournalleuchtturm1917 #gelpen #journal #journaling #planner #studygram #aestheticstudy #bujo #bulletjournal #bulletjournalpen #bujopen #minimalistplanner #bulletjournaling #bulletjournalcommunity #penlover
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