How to write better (personal diary/journal)?

[CubsterShura]

Sometimes I have a marathon of thoughts in my mind and I try to write them down on paper. But my mind thinks much faster than my hands can write so I have trouble with the pace and I feel too overwhelmed. I write pages after pages yet I feel like I haven't written enough and feel unsatisfied because my hands started hurting before I could even write all of my thoughts.

Additional question: What do you guys think about recording myself saying what's on my mind and saving them like an 'audio diary' or 'audio journal'?

I want to be more cohesive in how I communicate what's on my mind but still maintain authenticity. I don't know how to do that.

[jennifer_bloom]

I remember learning in grade school that when you post ideas in the advertisement section they charge you based on the number of words and letters in your ad. If you do not believe you have enough time to write down all your thoughts, you might considering using equivocation or summarizing or filtering according to a preconceived theme or style or quality process of elimination. If you do not know what equivocation is, it is when you say one thing that can mean two things, for example: I tidied my space could mean you cleaned your home or you cleaned your personal life or you cleaned your mind, or “I fulfilled all necessary protocols” instead of listing one by one what you did and how you did it or “I systemized my approach” instead of saying - “ I organized and strategize and fixed and planned and networked etc..” or saying “do not disrespect” instead of “do not bully + do not insult + do not mock + do not slander etc...” think of words as money and use multi purpose maximum impact words

[Massageman]

Easy answer first- - - Keeping an audio journal is certainly one way you can do that. Ay decent dictation software can do the job- -I use Dragon and like it.
Consider using "thought mapping" (sometimes called "mind mapping"). Since it is thoughts with which you are dealing, I prefer the name "thought" mapping over the latter.
The basis of the process is to create a "map", really a series of circles (as "hubs"). with "spokes" going outward to other topics which, in turn also have spokes, further refining the thoughts with each added level! For example, if your main topic was "DOGS", spokes might include, "breeds", "training", "nutrition", "exercise", etc.
If you can make a thought map which has four or five levels, you have the framework and keywords for your essay or other writing already done! Here's an example of a four level map: DOGS, BREEDS, Non-sporting dogs, Boston Terrier. Think of the map as headings, sub-heads under that, sub-sub-heads under each sub-head, and sub-sub-sub-heads under each sub-sub-head.
They say a "picture is worth a thousand words", so, instead of a final 750 words or so, I'll just include a couple of pictures of thought map examples. Both are four level maps. by the way- This "mapping" of your thoughts can be used for journals, essays, books, scrapbooks, almost anything.

Map for a family Halloween activity.

Thought Map used for Vacation Planning. I feel the sun already!

[Lliam]

I understand what you are saying about journaling. Thoughts aren't linear. You put down one thought and it reminds you of another thought, you digress and go off on tangents. You might realize that one thought requires a back story. And by the time you put one thing down, you've forgotten other things you had in mind when you started.

One way to accomplish what you are trying to do is type your thoughts into a Word doc. Initially, you can just write stream of consciousness thoughts. Then you can go back and edit, cut, paste, delete, add, and expand on your thoughts.

[weysally]

on my computer I go into my documents, and open and name a folder, then I will write things there, read it and if happy keep it, if after a while I want to change even a word I go back delete that word , replace it with whatever I want, click save change and I then still have what I wrote plus my new word

[cheapshotbob]

i think its a good idea for the 2and question , if its men to be a public journal for other too read, but for the first one you should have to worry about it if its just for you or a therapist if you have one, he would understand if he understood you.

and also its a journal its should be about your thoughts and dreams, you know things
that make you, you its doesn't not have to be perfect as long as you know what it is your writing it will feel the same way 10 years from now than it did the day you wrote it

[boombastik]

Don't try to write every little word/detail as a structured sentence. Try writing just your thoughts and a few key words or a rough draft is basically what I'm getting at and then come back afterwards and rewrite it once you have all your thoughts down on paper. Jordan Peterson does a great lecture on this.

[CubsterShura]

Do you have any link to that lecture?

[EaterPeter]

Keep writing the way you do. Long hand. Or you may record then write. Brain is capable of thinking much faster than we can write. People can speak much faster than we can write. Everything must be slowed down where we feel good and comfortable. Go take 25 minute walk. When your brain start racing and record as you walk. Be aware of your surroundings though. The goal is to make you feel better. I don't think I enjoy reading or writing. If it is forced on me. Yet I have read very many books of my choice. When I get to write right before dead line. I can feel my neck muscles relaxing. I can finally smell ink.

[EaterPeter]

Thanks cubster!

[EaterPeter]

Thanks sally!

[iamdesperate]

Years back I saw my boss' handwriting first time: very poor and ineligible. Later I found that his mind moves faster than hands, causing ineligible writing. Having though t over it (as I myself was facing this problem) I decided to write points, instead of details, and also audio taping my thoughts. I was successful in writing later what I wanted.
Have you tried it?

[Jjpayne]

I'd say a thought tree, write down thoughts you are thinking about then start to branch them off into other things.

Maybe even, just get out on paper what is floating around inside your head, Sometimes it's good to just get everything out and free your mind.

I think maybe asking yourself life questions too, are you where you want to be, where do you want to be in the future and why are you the way you are and who are you? Stuff like that

[nocturnalbreed]

Either You can make them as a log with only the day's noticeable things or you can only write about the exciting things and how you feel about them omitting routines that should reduce the majority of load in things to write.

[Wiredone]

I was going to suggest recording your thoughts on tape then you can write them down at your own pace. I used to carry a small personal tape recorder with me at all times and record things that I need to do on a job so I wouldn't forget.

[rachel776]

the more you write the better you get. recording counts as "writing." just keep doing it

[clampfan101]

There might be a good app for organizing your thoughts. I’m trying Miro, which looks very promising.

[msc545]

Recording is better for me as well because my mind goes faster than I can talk

[Grueso]

Speak and record what. You're thinking. Also write things. Down.

[chriscdi]

or you can voice record it and then write it down

[Volkanmka]

I do not understand what you mean