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I have plenty of little notebooks, but no good at taking them wherever I go. So, I started keeping notes on my cell phone calendar. At home, I started using a blank Rolodex to write down my notes and put them in one place. I categorize by first name for specific family members and then "family" for cousins, "friends", etc. I just stuck small labels over the regular alphabetized dividers that came with the Rolodex.

I often comment on blogs when a specific question is being asked:
What are you doing right now?
What are your plans for the weekend?
Do you have a favourite recipe to share?
I find I am much more willing to reply to such a question and share my thoughts with others than to simply write down these snippets without such a prompt. I just recently started so save these comments for myself, too – I open a text document, copy and paste the question, the url and my comment, and save it in a folder entitles "memories".

Just start writing--anything. I find that if I START, I usually get my thought down. Then, I can go back and edit and decide how I want it on the page.

Writing things down as they happen, and jotting down thoughts as they occur, because with my busy life, I may not ever remember those thoughts again!

I write little notes about the pictures I have taken so when it comes time to do a layout I just pull out my notes and journal in full detail.

My best journaling tip is to write notes as things happen. Keeping a designated calendar for this is a great help because when you go back to scrap the photos you have the journaling pretty much done without having to really try and remember what was special about that particular event.

Put it in your own handwriting. Generations from now, it will mean more to the people who loved you to see something you wrote by hand.

My thoughts on journaling is to do it right away. Right down on anything you can find: your feelings, names, places, impressions. It seems like you always forget something otherwise!

one thing that I do to make sure that I capture all of the details of an experience, is write it down right away! I keep notepads stashed in the car, my purse, drawers throughout the house...anywhere I can think of. It's always hard when you try to remember everything that was said or done when too much time has passed. This has been my solution to avoid the whole "this is us at the pool" type of journaling!

Since I scrapbook my grandchildren, I tend to write my journaling as if I were telling them a story, not only including a description of the event but also including my perspective, emotions and sometimes even some family history, such as comparing them to their parents. So far, they seem to like this format.

I never used to journal until I had my son. I figured the title and a few words were all I needed. Now I have this Mr. Personality and the pictures just don't tell the story anymore.
At least once a month, I do a layout about him and I write him a letter or talk about the changes I've noticed in him. At 2, he's still changing a lot!

Hi Ali! Great prizes today!! Wooo Hooo! Another idea for fixing a journal "rut" is to ask someone who was with you during the event a few questions (conduct a mini interview) and journal from their perspective instead. Or do a "he said, she said" dialogue....

When I started scrapbooking I was uncomfortable with the journaling and said I'd sit down and fill in the journaling another day. After having 90% of my pages in that category, my tip is: Just write it down. Don't be brief. Tell the story! It's the most important part of the page. It's why we scrapbook. Mac

being the mom of three boys, they say the funniest things all the time! i keep a pile of index cards in the drawer & jot down the quote/who said it/date. the boys love to go thru the "quote" box and read them outloud - plus it makes for great scrapbook pages! i've done this for 8 years now & the older they get, the better the words!

My best when it comes to journaling is to just be real, I am no great story teller when using words, I just write my story the best I can! Have a wonderful day!

I figure out who my audience is before I start writing. I also try to keep my journalling authentic, like I am talking, to the reader.

If you have an eveent or memory right it down as soon as possible because when you get around to scrapbooking it your mind will have been blank or not as heart felt as it was before.

I have a cute little notebook that I keep with me at all times in my purse...right next to my camera...to jot down any thoughts or memories. I don't have the best memory so this helps me remember all the little details!

Other than the stuff everyone else said about writing things down right away and carrying a notebook, I like to keep the kids' bath crayons out in the shower (I always have such great ideas in there) and have been known to write notes to myself on the wall in there. Also, keep a notepad by the bed.

Even if you don't like your handwriting - use it in a layout, at least once in a while. I have a friend who hates her writing, but I think I bug her enough to use it once in a while. I know her kids will appreciate it down the road. While I love the clean look of journaling done on the computer, I try to balance my layouts with that my handwriting and computer.
Jill

I read magazines for inspiration and I write a list of words or phrases from the magazine. Sometimes I circle the words and have my daughter write them in a journal for me. Often times she comes up with her own stories or phrases too.
My mom gave me her old little hand held recorder. While driving in the car I ask the kids what was the best thing they liked for that day...(on vacation). I need to start to use it a little more. thanks---janie

I journal on a piece of scrap paper first, so I get the words right. And I love to do hidden journaling - not only for the privacy of it, but for something "fun" to pull out and read later.

I write notes when I think of them. I also use my own handwriting mostly instead of computer journaling. I feel once we're gone our loved ones will love to see our own handwriting.

I'd say to journal just like you speak. Don't worry about being perfect--just personal. I do my pages for the people I love--not to be noticed or recognized. If there is a current expression I use a lot, I will use it in my journaling. Thanks for the chance to win!

I usually do the visual part of the layout and let my mind free associate while I am scrapping - it's amazing the poems, quotes, and memories that pop up and trigger the actual journaling.