Ask HN: Do you keep a personal journal?

I use it primarily as a todo-list.

Each morning I write down what I plan to do today.

I also try to plan each task in terms of time, so for example:

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9am - 10am: work on task A

10am - 11am: look into task B

...

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Then as the day progresses I mark down things as [DONE] when I finish them.

What's cool is at the end of the day you're left with a journal of:

1. What you intended to do 2. What you actually did 3. What you didn't do

I've already filled up one notebook in a month's time, and it has served as a very low-stress way to keep my stream of thinking clean and unburdened from previous thoughts. I know that they're safe on paper, and I can move on from them. When it's time to pull all my thoughts together (for example, I just finished a lengthy proposal) all I have to do is refer to my notes, which were put down when they occurred naturally, and not in a "forced" deadline environment.

The paper/pen comes in most useful at night – at bedtime – when my mind throws up two or three ideas that I'd like to keep. (But not get out of bed or stare at a screen.) After I jot down my two or three intrusive thoughts, I sleep more soundly.

Yes.

If yes, do you find it useful?

Yes

What tools would you recommend?

A well-crafted acid-free paper notebook, comfortable pens.

Is there any specific methodology that you follow?

Yes.

When journaling, do you try to track any specific aspects of your life or just write about anything that is currently occupying your mind?

I keep a system of journals. One series for personal thoughts, current life events, moods, reflections. One series for my mathematical explorations. Another for ruminating on the literature and polemic I consume. One for musical notes and development.

Any advice on how to get the most out of personal journaling?

Develop a process. A habit. Have a plan. Journalling for me is about making my thoughts concrete and objectifying my beliefs, opinions, and self. Writing is thinking.

Thanks for the answers!

Hope that helps.

I only do regular tracking of two data points: books I've read (a simple list in Evernote) by year, and board games I've played against a human opponent (on BoardGameGeek).

Whenever I have an idea or thought I want to remember and expand on, I post it as a note to Evernote. Then as my interest in it continues, I revisit, expand, or revise each post. Some of these have grown to thousands of words or whole notebooks unto themselves.