4 reasons why I ditched digital journaling and switched to an *actual* journal

Journaling has been my great friend ever since I started using it – whether it’s on a mobile app, online, or even the actual journal.

I am so fond of journaling because it helps me become more organized and be more realistic to commit to the things that I wanted to achieve.

But earlier this year, it seems like I lost my appetite for using a digital journal. 

It’s not because that I stopped journaling, but because of the fact that it is digital.

Read: In Defense of Pen and Paper

In this post, I will list 4 reasons why I ditched digital journaling and why I decided to switch to an analog journal.

Eye-strain is real.

Long exposure to blue screens can cause an eye-strain. First of all, it’s not a fatal eye disease but can trigger symptoms like migraine and recurring headaches.

This is true because there are times that when I type in important notes in my digital planner, I always suffer headaches and my eyes felt dry.

And I am fully aware that this is because of prolonged use of phone and computer and made it worse by constant checking on the app. And after that, I felt very tired and exhausted.

Limits your creativity.

Another reason I stopped doing a journal on an app is that it actually limits your creative skills. It isolates your awesome ideas to create new things that you never made before.

When I quit using the digital journal, I began exploring simple drawings online. I placed those cute doodles on my actual journal and it made me feel like I’ve done a great job.

And the experience was very therapeutic, a feeling that I don’t experience on a digital journal.

You can simply add stickers or PNG files on a digital journal but those things are made by other people and not yours.

Unlike on an actual journal that you can customize and personalize as long and as much as you want.

I personalized weekly spreads, gratitude logs, trackers, and so much more.

Prone to unsaved files.

Journaling online or an app is prone to unsaved files.

Yes, this is true because the last time I outlined all the plans on a digital journal, I lost my internet connection and there was no way to retrieve it. And my teeth were grinding with disappointment that I hadn’t saved the notes that I wanted to save. So, it’s a hassle for me to do it again.

If you’re using a real journal, your notes are there permanently embedded on the page.

Gone in just a click.

In a digital journal app or any note-taking applications, there is always these trash button located visibly on the screen.

If you are not careful enough to look for that icon, I am absolutely sure that your notes will be gone in an instant.

Good thing if it has a backup feature but what if there is nothing like that?

Unless if you’re using an actual journal, there’s no delete or trash button you can see anywhere else.

💭 Conclusion

There are only two options where you can start your journal – digital or a journal that you can touch, feel, and see. There is always this feeling of attachment when you see your own journal.

If you’re using a digital planner or journal, I suggest you start looking for a physical journal.