Monday 20 February 2012

Big Ideas. Your Feedback Requested.

It's strange, writing this post. I started this blog to share my love of journaling, to post whatever I wanted about my journals. This was a hobby, a respite from my more "serious" writer blog. I never thought so many people would read it, let alone become regular readers. But you guys embraced this blog, participated with your insights and comments, and made me realise that I am not the only journal keeper out there. 

It is such a private endeavour, keeping journals. Sharing parts of it with you has been rewarding and interesting. But it's one thing to share views on journaling, and quite another to open up dreams and wishes. But you all have been with me on this blog journey, and you are the people I want to speak to about what I am considering. 

I have often thought of writing a book about journaling. I even have outlines, rough drafts. But that, like this blog, was another one of my "fun" projects. A hobby. This blog has gotten far more comments and page views than my writer blog, which has more posts and more followers. Not just comments, but I actually have conversations with people. Some of you, I have gotten to know so well that I would consider you my friends. But what I kept getting back, especially through people who emailed me privately, is that many of these entries helped people. It surprised me, because after all, this was just my hobby. Something I was sharing, because I loved it. But as I got more and more comments and questions, I began to wonder what else I can do to not just help people on their journey to self-awareness and self-development, but to encourage them to journal. How can I show other people that journaling is far more rewarding than you could ever know until you try it? How could I explain to those who haven't been able to keep a journal for more than a week what rewards await them? 

This has been going on for over a year in my head. Because this was after all a hobby. 

I started this blog for me. For anything and everything regarding journaling that I wanted to speak about. That's why there has never been a fixed schedule. There has never been a fixed format. Because this was all about me. 

Now, I want to make it about you. The readers. The people who love journaling and find it helpful. The people who know what a journal is, but haven't gotten very far. The people who think journal is a diary with secret locks that little girls keep. I don't know what exactly I am going to do, because I am still brainstorming possibilities. But what I do know is that I am going to re-launch this blog, one that reflects the change that this blog now caters to my readers. I want to get on and finish that journaling book. Instead of a hobby, I want to make journaling what it actually is - my passion, and my invitation to others, to come and join. 

I hope you will join me there. 

If you have suggestions for a new brand name that reflects this new purpose, I would love to have your input. 

11 comments:

  1. I think this is a fabulous idea Dolly!

    I've been keeping a journal sporadically for years and I've always wanted to do more with it. I don't want it to be just about the mundane things going on in my life, I want to infuse it with my emotions and ideas as well.

    Years ago I kept electronic journals I've recently re-discovered them. At the time I wrote in them as an outlet for some of the negative stuff going on in my life. It was very therapeutic.

    A new name . . . how about Journaling Passion, or even just Journal?

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  2. Sounds like a great idea, D!

    I don't find myself on this blog that often, as I fall into the "never written a journal" category, but I can something that appealed to all kinds of people attracting quite a few new followers (though you already have me beat in that respect!).

    Title-wise, something with 'passion' could work, like Carol said. I'm terrible with titles, as I've probably told you before. ;)

    Adam

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  3. Carol and Adam,

    Thank you both. Feedback appreciated. I'll see what titles I can come up. Racking my brain, but it's bit difficult since nearly all good domain names are already taken :(

    I'm sure you will hear more about this.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'll echo the others - great idea! You've really found a great niche, I think (I read your posts often, just am horrid about commenting).

    I have been wracking my brains trying to come up with something since last night...I've been trying to think outside the "journal" box, so to speak. Perhaps you need something more along the lines of "Passion for Pages" or "Life Pages" or "A Colorful Life"... something descriptive, but "artsy" (or is that just annoying?).

    I'll keep thinking...and I'm looking forward to seeing where you take this! :-)

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  5. Dolly, I started keeping a journal when I was 8 years old. Now, FIFTY years later (!!), I realize I have some skills to share. I've had my business site up for five months and it's time to revamp. The more I learn, the more the site changes. Not everyone likes to journal but I think it's because they don't realize what an awesome tool it is for growth.

    Good luck with all your changes!

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  6. Gosh, and I just found this wonderful blog, but sometimes you just need to change things up. I understand. I do like "Pages", and "Journal Pages" makes it sound like a group, which is nice.
    Journal Keepers
    The Writers Journal
    Ink and Paper
    I had a very hard time naming my blog too...best of luck Dolly!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lynn,

    Thank you for your comment! I absolutely love this blog, because it started out as nothing but pure passion of journaling. But it's time for change, though rest assured, new blog is going to be about Journaling too. But in a bigger and I hope (better) way.

    ReplyDelete
  8. By getting your thoughts out of your head and putting them down in writing, you gain insights you’d otherwise never see. Journaling is a powerful way of personal development.

    ReplyDelete
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  10. I even have outlines, rough drafts. But that, like this blog, was another one of my "fun" projects. A hobby. This blog has gotten far more comments and page views than my writer blog, which has more posts and more followers. Not just comments, but I actually have conversations with people. Some of you, I have gotten to know so well that I would consider you my friends. But what I kept getting back, especially through people who emailed me privately, is that many of these entries space bar clicker helped people. It surprised me, because after all, this was just my hobby. Something I was sharing, because I loved it. But as I got more and more comments and questions, I began to wonder what else I can do to not just help people on their journey to self-awareness and self-development, but to encourage t

    ReplyDelete
  11. . I even have outlines, rough drafts. But that, like this blog, was another one of my "fun" projects. A hobby. This blog has gotten far more comments and page views than my writer blog, which has more posts and more followers. Not just comments, but I actually have conversations with people. Some of you, I have gotten to know so well that I would consider you my friends. But what I kept getting back, especially through people who emailed me privately, is that many of these entries helped love language quiz people. It surprised me, because after all, this was just my hobby. Something I was sharing, because I loved it. But as I got more and more comments and questions, I began to wonder what else I can do to not just help people on their journey to self-awareness and self-development, but to encourage them to journal.

    ReplyDelete