WHAT JOURNALING MEANS FOR ME

The only difference between the old way of writing and the new is that I wake up each day and boot up the computer instead of cracking open my notebook as I used to. The purpose is the same, to write a few words so I can put in front of me what’s on my mind. The process of getting the words outside of my head is what matters. It helps to clarify things—to let the thoughts see the light of day, to let them breathe some fresh air.

Since my words are meant for my eyes only, I’m not expecting anyone to care about what I have to tell myself. It’s actually a weird feeling to think that anyone else might be reading what I’m writing.

Five or six years ago people began talking about the therapeutic effects of keeping a journal. It was thought to be healthy to write something—anything—about what was going on in your head at the start of each day, no matter what. The idea was to get a kind of automatic flow going. It would also serve as a kind of drainpipe for toxic thoughts so they’d end up in the sewer. This was good information for me because essentially it was something I'd been doing my whole life but without really knowing why. I did it because it felt good.
I have filing cabinets filled with folders packed with stories, novels and screenplays in them. I have even saved my old footlocker from Vietnam, which contains pages upon pages of alcohol and drug induced ramblings written nights, by candlelight, in the PIO hootch on LZ Bayonet west of Chu Lai.

At some point, keeping a journal started to become a more conscious process for me and because it was more conscious, it became more fulfilling. Believe it or not, I feel better for having written what I just have—the few rambling paragraphs proceeding this one. I don’t know any more about why the process works than I’ve already said, but I do know that it makes me feel better. I recommend journaling to anyone—even if you have little confidence about your ability to write. Fine writing is not the point. The point is to get the words out there. For me, keeping in mind that I’m writing for my eyes only makes it easy.