by Ryan Brenner

Created on: July 24, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

The answer to this question will be different depending on your reason for travel and your reason for writing down your thoughts and memories. If your prime goal of recording the account of your trip is so people back home can follow your adventures then I would most definitely say that blogging is the way to go.

However, if your goal is to record things for yourself so that you are able to return to and reflect on aspects of your trip and things you have learned then a journal is the best choice you can make. Blogging is for everyone else. Journaling has more of a personal feel it is for you. No one else needs to read it or see it. You can write you honest thoughts and feelings, you are more free to express your honest thoughts on things instead of worrying about how this will be perceived by those who read it. In a journal you do not need to worry about spelling punctuation or how it looks. You can write things down quickly as you're on the go, if you want to go back later and rewrite it that is totally fine, but you don't need to have it perfect on the spot the way you would want to see it on a blog.

When you travel overseas or to another place for a missions trip or some sort of service project you will want to record the feelings you have, how the experiences have effected you, and ways you can and have personally grown from these experiences. Often these things are for your eyes only, or maybe for a select few, but they are rarely things that you will want to publicly broadcast.

In addition, there is something very peaceful in the solitude and silence of reflecting and writing about your personal experiences. Life slows down, your thoughts slow down, and often can become more clear. You will learn more about yourself and your experiences in these moments. You will miss out on all of these things as you point and peck at a keyboard.

Finally, there is the practicality of the journal. A computer even a laptop is going to take up a lot of space, and be difficult to transport, but you can go to any local bookstore and pick up a pocket size journal for only a few dollars. This makes the journal easier to use as well.

In conclusion, you will need to make the choice of what the purpose of recording your travels is. If your goal is to share the adventures of your trip with family and friends back home, then blogging may be the way to go, but if your goal is to record thoughts for your own personal reflection and growth then a journal is the way to go.

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