Personal (hand-written)
The simple act of keeping a journal is timeless.  Oral histories, cave drawings, and collections of personal letters can all, in some way, be considered “journals.”  For many people the practice may seem childish, outdated or something that only those who are committed “writers” do.  There are many benefits, however, to keeping a journal. 

Studies have shown that the act of writing itself (by hand, not typing) can be a soothing relaxant- helping to lower stress and even blood pressure levels.  For many people, writing down their thoughts, especially those that are painful or highly emotional can be a way to purge those feelings and move on.  When you know that no one but you will read those thoughts, it can be a great relief to get your innermost concerns off your chest.  And no one knows if you’re the worst speller ever or are not up on your grammar rules!
 
Online
Online journaling is the hot new hobby for many people.  Truth is, though, an online diary is completely different from the old fashioned, hand-written kind.  In almost all cases, what you write is completely open to the public.  This means that rather than sitting down and spouting out whatever is in your head or your heart, you have to think carefully about what you are writing, who is going to be reading it, and why you are writing it in the first place. 

For aspiring writers, an online journal can be something of a step up from a private journal.  It is a good way to get a feel for writing to an audience and discovering what people like and dislike about your writing style.  It is also a good way to motivate yourself to write every day, even when the “muse” does not strike you.  An online journal that is not kept current is a big disappointment to readers.  If you are looking for relaxation and personal reflection, an online journal may not be for you.

Book Journals
Book clubs are huge these days.  They are bringing books and critical reading back into people’s everyday lives.  But what about those people who don’t have the time or can’t seem to find the right book club?  The answer is a book journal.

Book journals can be a great way to keep your mind sharp and give purpose to your reading.  It doesn’t matter what books you’re into, it’s more about noticing details and forming opinions.  You can find themes and messages in a Danielle Steel thriller or Michael Jordan’s autobiography, just the same as in a short story by Kafka or a novel by Dickens.  There are many ways to keep book journals.  You can jot down random thoughts as they are coming to you, keep regular reflections, or write overall personal “reviews” after you’ve finished each book.  Keeping a book journal helps most people slow down their reading, choose their books more carefully, and discover their literary likes and dislikes. 

Visual Journals
Scrapbooks, photo albums, handmade comic books, sketch books are all alternative forms of journaling.  Just like writing they can capture a mood, turn into a chronicle of the years, and even can help the creator to relax and find a meditative calm.