Travel journals are supposed to be fun. We use them to capture our travel experiences on paper, so we never forget our journeys to places around the globe.
Are you and your travel journal getting along? Are you bored with it? Perhaps when you got home after a long trip, you fell out of love with your faithful companion. Now facing another trip, you are tempted to leave the trip diary at home.
This is a simple case of writer's block. Writers experience boredom all the time. It is so common, that there are hundreds thousands of books and exercises that writers use to get themselves back on track.
If you are looking for ways to spice up your travel journal, here are some ideas.
Get a new trip journal. Select one that feels good. Does it bring you pleasure? Is the cover pleasing? Run your fingers along the pages. Do they have the right texture and weight? Does the journal fit you?
Pack your favorite pen. Write in your journal before you leave home to make sure the pen feels good on the pages. Bring a spare pen.
Show, don't tell. It's perfectly fine to say, "Today I saw the Eiffel Tower." If you want to spice it up a bit, try something like this, "A sparkling blue sky shined through the lattice of the Eiffel Tower."
Use your senses. We tend to write what we see, such as "saw the Washington Monument." What we hear is the next most frequently used sense. If you were kept awake by a barking dog or a clanging elevator, write that down. Food is a big part of travel, so describe new taste sensations.
Touch and smell are often overlooked. When you held a local craft, what did it feel like? What did the air smell like? Smell is especially important because our memories are easily triggered by odor-even if we are just remembering the scent.
Describe your feelings. The world is filled with amazing sites. When you see something, how does it make you feel? Jot down your emotions. Record them even if you are disappointed. Perhaps you were looking forward to seeing the Liberty Bell, but someone stepped on your foot.
Play with words. Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway wrote a story using only six words: "For Sale. Baby shoes. Never worn." Although there is no proof that this notion came from Hemmingway, the six-word memoir is now popular. Try writing a six-word memoir every day you travel or one summarizing the entire trip.
Try stream of consciousness. This is when you write down anything that pops into your head. Do not censor anything as this clogs the process. Imagine looking at the Statue of Liberty. Write down anything that comes to mind, for instance, "green, big, windy, postcard, people from all over the world." Without writing a complete sentence, you can capture the moment.
Make a gratitude list. If you are not sure about what to write, keep a gratitude list in your travel journal. By listing those things for which you are thankful, you focus on the highlights of the trip. Moreover, gratitude helps us maintain our perspective.
Travel journals are more than precious keepsakes. They add depth to our journeys and help us to see the world with new eyes. Have fun with your trip diary. Once the creative juices are flowing again, it is like falling in love.
Now that you realize you can unhook the leash that has been holding you back from using a journal to capture your travel memories, you are ready to find one that suits your style.
There's a new kind that invites your words as well as your souvenirs right there during your trip. It doubles your fun: in the moment plus later.
Pack your favorite pen. Write in your journal before you leave home to make sure the pen feels good on the pages. Bring a spare pen.
Show, don't tell. It's perfectly fine to say, "Today I saw the Eiffel Tower." If you want to spice it up a bit, try something like this, "A sparkling blue sky shined through the lattice of the Eiffel Tower."
Use your senses. We tend to write what we see, such as "saw the Washington Monument." What we hear is the next most frequently used sense. If you were kept awake by a barking dog or a clanging elevator, write that down. Food is a big part of travel, so describe new taste sensations.
Touch and smell are often overlooked. When you held a local craft, what did it feel like? What did the air smell like? Smell is especially important because our memories are easily triggered by odor-even if we are just remembering the scent.
Describe your feelings. The world is filled with amazing sites. When you see something, how does it make you feel? Jot down your emotions. Record them even if you are disappointed. Perhaps you were looking forward to seeing the Liberty Bell, but someone stepped on your foot.
Play with words. Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway wrote a story using only six words: "For Sale. Baby shoes. Never worn." Although there is no proof that this notion came from Hemmingway, the six-word memoir is now popular. Try writing a six-word memoir every day you travel or one summarizing the entire trip.
Try stream of consciousness. This is when you write down anything that pops into your head. Do not censor anything as this clogs the process. Imagine looking at the Statue of Liberty. Write down anything that comes to mind, for instance, "green, big, windy, postcard, people from all over the world." Without writing a complete sentence, you can capture the moment.
Make a gratitude list. If you are not sure about what to write, keep a gratitude list in your travel journal. By listing those things for which you are thankful, you focus on the highlights of the trip. Moreover, gratitude helps us maintain our perspective.
Travel journals are more than precious keepsakes. They add depth to our journeys and help us to see the world with new eyes. Have fun with your trip diary. Once the creative juices are flowing again, it is like falling in love.
Now that you realize you can unhook the leash that has been holding you back from using a journal to capture your travel memories, you are ready to find one that suits your style.
There's a new kind that invites your words as well as your souvenirs right there during your trip. It doubles your fun: in the moment plus later.
Have a nice vacation !!!
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