yearning for journaling

Last Wednesday, I announced the most recent breaking news to my journalism students: Spotify Wrapped had just dropped.

For those who don’t know, Spotify produces an annual report for its users that includes top artists, top songs and other fun stats. (I got Spotify a few years ago precisely because I felt left out when Wrapped came out.)

My Wrapped rarely contains any surprises: Taylor Swift is top everything. But I still have fun going through the well-designed report and comparing mine to friends’. I was talking to my friend Kris (his top song: “Oneida” by Tyler Childers) about Wrapped when I had a realization.

“You know,” I said, “Spotify Wrapped just shows that people yearn for journaling.”

Spotify Wrapped is a record in a cultural moment when people are less likely to keep a personal, written record like a journal. So something like Wrapped is extra refreshing in a metaphorical desert.

This year, Wrapped even included a “files” section with labeled dates, like “Biggest Taylor Swift Day” on June 25. July 25 was my “Biggest Music Listening Day,” and thanks to my journals, I know plenty of information about that day.

It was the final day of the Appalachian Writers’ Workshop, which means I drove from my bed and breakfast in Hazard to Hindman Settlement School in Hindman, then I drove back to Hazard to visit Read Spotted Newt, then I drove back to Lexington — plenty of time to listen to music in the car.

In a yellow journal, my 81st, I took notes during the final hours of the workshop. From Halle Hill’s short story lesson, I wrote down what is a high compliment to writers: “You kept me company.” The same can be said of music.

In my next journal, with a red and pink cover swirly cover designed by Morgan Harper Nichols, I actually wrote about the workshop and about all my driving that last day. Underneath a sticker from the coffee shop I visited that morning, I wrote, “I listened to the Tyler Childers album — part of it — on the drive to Hindman. I was a little taken aback by how much his voice did not sound like him.” (Despite my mixed feelings about his new album, Tyler Childers was still my #2 artist this year.)  

In the spirit of Spotify Wrapped, and in the hopes that more people will adopt record-keeping habits like journaling, I thought I’d share my Journals Wrapped for 2025.

Total Journals Used: Likely 8

I’m currently on my seventh journal of the year, but I suspect I’ll finish it and start a new one before the year is over. I’ve filled 84 journals in my 14 years of journaling, so this year is a little above average in terms of journals filled.

Journals I Bought Specifically Because I Love the Designer: 2

The aforementioned Morgan Harper Nichols journal, plus one that McKenzie Parrott of Parrot Paints designed with Denik.  

Yellow Journals: 2

One was solid yellow, with a pocket on the front that came in handy for saving ice cream cone wrappers, coffee sleeves, business cards, and more. I actually bought this journal for myself, then my mom later bought me the same one. I gifted one to Lexi, my friend and fellow journal-keeper.

The other has one of Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” etched into the cover. I had eyed this journal before, but Loui encouraged me to buy it at Half Price Books.

Additional Journals Gifted to Me: 3

Two other journals were from Loui: my first of the year, with a tree on the cover, and my current journal, with stacks of books and cats wearing glasses. “You bought her journals?” my friend Sarah once asked Loui in shock — she understood that’s a risky move because I’m picky. Loui learned my journal requirements soon after we started dating, and he does a good job.

My friend Arden gave me a green floral journal from Rifle Paper Co. (every piece of paper that company produces is soooooo pretty) as a gift for doing some day-of coordination for her wedding — which had sage green as its primary color.

Number of Days Currently Behind: 37

Yeah, I just finished October.

My Journaling Style: Comprehensive

From saving every scrap with sentimental value to using bulleted lists as outlines for my daily entries, I aim to not miss a thing.