Journal vs. Diary

I came across this great article about the distinctions between a journal and a diary. It has got me thinking of the way that I've been writing. I've kept a journal since I was in grade school, calling it a journal because "diary" sounded girly. After reading this article, I'm reexamining how I use my writing practice and how I want to use the different facets of writing.

The article makes a good point:

Ask yourself this question: how would you feel if someone found and read your journal? If you think you'd be devastated, it's probably time to consider what sort of material you'd write inside it.

Now, I personally wouldn't feel great about anybody else reading my journal, but it's rather from lack of quality than anything too deeply personal (at least nowadays). My advice for those people wanting to get very intimate with their journals: keep a separate diary. Most people know the amount of respect that should be accorded to a book marked "Diary", but a book marked "Journal" doesn't carry with it the same expectations of privacy. If you're going to commit your most secret thoughts to this book, and thus have it act as a mirror of your deepest psychological fears and hopes, get a diary, a safebox, and a secret place to hide it all. That piece of your soul should be yours alone.

What I'm doing now is more diary with journal entries here and there. I would be devastated if someone found my *gulp* diary(?). I would like to develop my journaling - in the purist definition of the word. The article, which I've read about 3 times now, says that the journal is to:

• collect
• remember
• explore
• provide focus

I have to imagine myself wanting to let other people look at the journal, as sort of a coffee table book about my life. That's my ultimate goal. And what better way to practice is here! But then again, I read another interesting article about the difference between between an online diary and a blog. This is how I occupy my time. Geez.