Another important tool for your journaling practice is a writing implement. It can be a pencil or pen. It can be colored pencils, markers, fountain or calligraphy pens, dip pens, gel pens—there are many types of pencils and pens to choose from. But first and foremost, select an implement that you enjoy using. When you are intently recording a scene or observation, you want something that glides smoothly across the paper so that the impact of pen or pencil to paper does not slow you down.

Using a variety of color or ink will keep your journal interesting. As you write page after page, the satisfaction of seeing a variety of color, layouts and style will give your journal spice. Imagine how uninspired you would be to open your journal and see page after page of blue ink. Or page after page of neatly printed words in pencil. You may find it more stimulating to open your journal to a paragraph written in green colored pencil, or page of doodles with glittering ink that describes how you felt on a specific day.

And, don’t worry about your handwriting. After all, only you will see your work. Your penmanship is distinctly you. No one else writes like you. So, embrace it. Like anything, the more you practice, the better you become. Just get your thoughts down on paper with as much ease as you can muster, and using a writing implement that makes you happy.

Writing implements come in many forms, colors and types. From pencils to pens, graphite to ink, chalky, glittering, neon and metallic, there is something out there for you. Select something that you enjoy using and add it to your journaling toolbox. As the saying goes, variety is the spice of life. Try a few different implements to add some pizzazz to your journal.

Now Go and Grow,

Cris