To keep or not to keep a notebook, that is the question.

     When I was younger I tried on several occasions to keep a journal, but it never seemed to last more than a couple weeks. I always liked the idea of keeping a daily journal of some sort, but the commitment just never stuck for me. In Joan Didion's "On Keeping a Notebook," she wrote of her surroundings and observations, less of her own actions. One specific line that caught my attention was "..." Where she explained that sometimes she didn't feel her life was exciting enough to write about so she embellished, or even made things up. We all probably feel this way sometimes, and that might be why most attempts at journals don't last. 
     Why keep a notebook of some kind? Free writing allows you to express yourself in any way you please. You could write of your daily life, write of observations, write short anecdotes. The beauty of this is that it doesn't need to be anything specific or have any definite structure. A person can write for themselves, as an emotional release. It's therapeutic to release feelings. 
     The idea of the traditional journal/notebook is changing. Nowadays, a blog may be more common to a person than a physical notebook (although I think that physical writing can be a large part of expressing yourself). Blogs allow people to reach others on a more specific basis. If a person wants to write of their struggles with a loss of a loved one from 9/11, then they will join a blog dedicated on that subject. This allows people with the same interest and needs to connect. Social networking is also changing the idea of this concept. Between Facebook and Twitter, a person can let out short tidbits of their feelings or news to everyone they know. This is probably the farthest away from the original purpose of a notebook, but it is still allowing a person to write out their feelings. They could be vague, hidden in quotes or lyrics, or specific with not-so-subtle rants filled with symbols to represent their frustrations. Authors of the classics would cringe at today's use of the written word, but it works for us and it's not changing anytime soon. 
     Keeping a notebook is generally for the writer, and the writer only. Does this make the act narcissistic? No, i don't believe so, because the writing is for personal expression and its probably not meant to be seen by many others. Facebook, Twitter, and other social networking sites that allow people to post whatever they like. Users will take advantage of this and post every little move, mood, or thought in their daily lives. Is this a bit narcissistic? Yes, I believe it can be. Nobody really cares that you have gotten a route 44 from Sonic or just took a nap. 
     The reason for keeping a notebook, journal, or blog varies. A person does with them what they need to. Whether to express themselves, to keep track of events, or just rid themselves of their random thoughts, its up the author.