If you’re guilty of shoving a half-empty journal in your desk drawer, or if you’ve just always wanted to start journaling, you’re not alone.
The UMD Journaling Club is here for you, offering a supportive space during biweekly meetings to finally build that habit, without the pressure of perfection.
The idea struck founder and president of the club Kyrene Jamero on the morning of April 19th,which she recalls thanks to her journal.
“I was journaling in the morning, and I was just like, ‘Wow, I wish I could do this with other people,’” the senior technology and information design major recalls. “I just wanted to share my love for the hobby with other people.”
After a quick search on Terplink confirmed there was not a dedicated space for journalers on campus, Jamero decided to create one.
Participants are exposed to different prompts and journaling styles at each meeting, with a future activity featuring a journal spread about their favorite fictional character.
The core of the club is about self-expression and embracing imperfection.
For vice president and junior special education major Ariel Kane, journaling has helped her be less harsh on herself.
“It helped me embrace that, okay, maybe this piece of paper is ripped in a certain way that I wouldn’t want it to be, but I kind of accept those small things,” Kane said. “I definitely feel like I’m more forgiving. The world isn’t going to blow up if I put a sticker in the wrong place.”
Jamero also found that journaling has helped her be more in tune with herself.
“In this fast paced environment that we live in, it’s easy to push down your feelings,” she said. “When you let yourself think and you don’t have any other stimulation, you’re really able to dissect each and every thought that you’re having and you might be able to discover new realizations.”
For club member and junior technology and information design major Maria Javier, she wishes that club meetings happened more often.
“I always just kind of think I’m gonna do something, and then I just don’t,” Javier said. “Being in an environment that inspires creativity and just being around other creatives really helps.”
For those intimidated by the elaborate journals on social media, the club members advise to start simple.
“You don’t have to invest a lot of time or money into it,” Javier said. “All you need is a pencil, a piece of paper and your thoughts.”