You Can’t Know Where You’re Going If You Don’t Know Where You’ve Been
Keeping a travel journal is an excellent way to remember everywhere you’ve been, what you saw and did and who you met while you were there. This journal is usually devoted to one trip at a time. You’ll write and add mementos and memories into the journal so you can look back on it with pride and happiness. Plus, you can share your journey with others.
Start With the Planning Phase
The journal should begin the moment you start planning your trip. You can use the journal to plan by listing the things you need to do and then checking off what you’ve completed for the trip. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish on the trip. What do you want to experience, what do you want to learn, and when will you do each activity?
Write Daily During Your Trip
Once you’re on the trip, don’t miss writing something in your journal every day. Try to find time to write in your journal while the experience is fresh in your mind. You might consider recording your initial thoughts while you’re doing an activity, then transcribing them into your journal later when you have time.
Add Physical Mementos to the Journal
Don’t just add text to your journal. You can also add color, images and mementos. For example, save your tickets, a napkin from a restaurant, or other little things you touched during your trip. You don’t even have to buy anything extra to do this part.
Remember to Write the Good AND the Bad
You don’t want to look back on the trip and see that you haven’t written realistically. It’s perfectly okay to talk about what was good – and bad – about the trip. When you do that, you can plan differently next time. Maybe you learned that you need new shoes if you’re going to walk that much. Or that one thing you insisted on bringing never left your suitcase. It’s good to write that down so you’ll remember next time.
Write What You’d Do Differently
If you ever go back to that travel destination, what would you do differently now that you’ve been there once? Would you change what you chose (a hotel, a restaurant, an activity) for something else next time?
Mention What Disappointed You and What Thrilled You
Talk about the things that were disappointments. Were the people nice or rude? Was the food on the train overcooked and tasteless? That might seem like a strange thing to write, but it will help you remember even more. Also, did something unexpected happen that thrilled and excited you?
State What You Learned from Each Day
Add some facts that you learned about your destination, the people you met, your fellow travelers and yourself. For example, did you learn that you love people watching when you didn’t know you did? Did you discover a historical fact that shed new light on a place you visited?
When It’s Over, Finish by Writing a Last Reflective Entry
After the trip is over, take the time to write one last entry where you reflect on everything you learned about the trip. Talk about what it was like, what you learned, what surprised you and so forth. Name the things you’d do again and things you’d not do again, plus something extra you’d do next time.
A travel journal will improve your memory of the event. You’ll retain more information and – believe it or not – it’ll help you make the next trip even better. Use these tips if you want to get the most out of your travel journaling now and in the future.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Looking for a journal that matches your style?
Check out our selection of blank lined journals on Amazon.com.
Which one calls out to you?
Can’t decide on just one? Maybe you should buy two (or even three). They make great gifts!
AFFILIATE NOTICE:
This website uses affiliate links. If you click through a link on our site and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Thank you for your support!
Tags: holiday, journal, travel, travelogue, trip, vacation