Typed vs Handwritten Dream Journal

**RareCola** · 07-25-2012 03:18 AM

Just wondering everyone's thoughts, which do you use and why? I'm talking about first thing in the morning when you wake up.

I'm a written journal enthusiast:
- Writing them allows for a more permanent hard copy
- Writing (according to studies I've read) helps tap into the sub-conscious memory and improves recall and learning.
- No artificial light to distract, or falsely engage serotonin production
- Ability to include little sketches

I've seen arguments from typed journal enthusiasts that typing is quicker and easier to read... but why do you need to rush typing your dreams? I've found recall to be better if I take some time writing it.

Opinions?

**gab** · 07-25-2012 03:35 AM

When I wake up from a dream at night, I just scribble as much of it as I feel like on a piece of paper. I do have a paper journal next to my bed and if something really momorable happens, I write it down neatly. If not, I just write in the paper journal in the morning from the notes I took at night. Then I type them up in Word and transfer the good ones to DV.

I also prefer paper journal, but keep the Word file as a backup, plus I can highlight dreamsigns, recurring things, names of places an people and other stuff.

I don't think it really matters which method anybody uses, because the idea behind it is to think about your dreams as much as you can, which tells your mind that dreams and remembering them is important to you. I like both methods.

**elyuu** · 07-25-2012 04:03 AM

I do both.

It took time to reach my laptop. I might forget what I had dream if I wait for it to be ready to use. So I write first with my crappy handwriting then type them when I have time.

**n00bf0rlyf3** · 07-25-2012 04:07 AM

If I don't go over it 5 times I'll forget it by the time I get to the computer

**thedanknight** · 07-25-2012 06:20 AM

typed frakly i cant read my wrighting but i do draw stuff i cant explain in a note book

**doge** · 07-25-2012 08:18 AM

I use PC to write my dreams. If I can't use PC, I use notebook and pen.

**fennecgirl** · 07-25-2012 02:36 PM

I used to write mine in a notebook. When I came to DreamViews, since they have a journal system right here on the site, I'd write down my dreams and then copy them over to DV. Recently, though, I've found I rarely write them anymore, since typing is quicker, and what's the point of writing them if I'm going to type them just afterwards? I think the fact that I tend to recall 2-4 dreams when I wake up each morning is affecting this, too; writing down one dream is fine, but writing four in one morning just takes forever.

**lukass** · 07-25-2012 05:41 PM

i use phone.

**SpaceCowboyDave** · 07-25-2012 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by fennecgirl

I used to write mine in a notebook. When I came to DreamViews, since they have a journal system right here on the site, I'd write down my dreams and then copy them over to DV. Recently, though, I've found I rarely write them anymore, since typing is quicker, and what's the point of writing them if I'm going to type them just afterwards? I think the fact that I tend to recall 2-4 dreams when I wake up each morning is affecting this, too; writing down one dream is fine, but writing four in one morning just takes forever.

Exactly the same for me.

**ca1um132** · 07-25-2012 06:09 PM

I have an app on my iPhone which is dedicated to recording your dreams so I use that when I wake up, quickly type down what I remember. Then later on, I transfer those into my paper DJ, and then if I think it is worth it - I'll post it on this site in my online DJ. So, I guess I use both.

**SpykeTheGamer** · 07-25-2012 06:46 PM

i started out using handwritten, but now i use typed.

**Vengeance** · 07-25-2012 06:54 PM

I like typed since I can easily copy and paste onto DV, using my phone. I used to do written and soon will return to written as I find it somehow increase my recall.

**RareCola** · 07-25-2012 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Vengeance

I like typed since I can easily copy and paste onto DV, using my phone. I used to do written and soon will return to written as I find it somehow increase my recall.

Yep, I'm pretty sure it does improve recall! Sad to see so many just type.

Here's an article on Lifehacker about why writing is more effective than typing for learning: Why You Learn More Effectively by Writing Than Typing
Learning involves recall, which is why I'm sure writing helps with recall too.

Also, I can't find the article now but I read a study not long ago about students who write their work do better in tests than students who type.

**Ekyu** · 07-25-2012 07:49 PM

My vote is handwritten! Unless you wanna share it with other people on the internet, or if you can't read your own handwriting!

**Mzzkc** · 07-25-2012 10:40 PM

You forgot A/V recording.

**Robot_Butler** · 07-26-2012 07:30 PM

I always hand write. It is more tangible, for me. I like seeing that notebook by my bed. I like seeing my messy handwriting, and stupid doodles.

**SpykeTheGamer** · 07-26-2012 09:20 PM

usually i remember too much of my dream to have time to write it down. so lets say by the time i'm halfway done writing, i'd probably have forgotten the rest by then. i leave my laptop in sleep mode so i can quickly access my Dream Journal here.

**USA** · 07-26-2012 09:25 PM

I like handwriting my dreams better. I think it's easier, and I don't like the computer light in the morning. I usually will type it into my Dreamviews DJ later though.

**Mindraker** · 07-27-2012 02:52 AM

I write on paper right as I wake up, and I try to copy the best of my dreams after I get out of bed on my electronic journal here for you guys.

**Jdeadevil** · 07-27-2012 03:49 AM

It's nice to know the majority vote so far is 'Typed'. I always prefer typing, I have Dyspraxia (physical/mental handicap) and my handwriting is awful. Making notes is so much easier in the morning, and then just typing the entire thing later that day.

**Blooper** · 07-27-2012 05:25 AM

My handwriting can get sloppy especially if I'm writing a lot, so I find typing easier. I could see myself just not having the motivation to physically write the dream out and just skipping that day. I just wake up, roll over to my ipod touch, and type it onto the notes on there. Eventually I transfer it to my computer where I store all of my dreams in a folder.

**Shamaness** · 07-27-2012 08:29 AM

I use a handwritten dream journal, for me it's easier to keep it at my bedside since I haven't got a laptop. The problem is when I wake up in the middle of the night I end up with a writing which will be hard to decipher in the morning, because I don't turn on any lights, sometimes I'm even too lazy to use my phone as a flashlight. But it still does the job well.

**Box77** · 07-27-2012 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by Mzzkc

You forgot A/V recording.

That was exactly what I was thinking. I think it's faster than writing anyway, allows more time, more words, less light if it's in the middle of the night (Although I think that's not the subject of this post), less effort, one can do it just lying on the same position on the bed, etc.

I used to hand write them before typing them, although sometimes it became to hard for me to understand what I wrote. But, if I don't have a voice recorder I would prefer to write them down. Then I would type them into a more understandable and accessible format for me - including the sketches.

**ThestoneLion** · 08-25-2012 02:19 AM

I think being able to write down physical copies of my dreams is easier, because I don't have a bright light in my face when I've just woken, I don't have to wait for a machine to start up (during it's startup I could easily forget the dream), and I can scribble down things I've seen in the physical journal. Also I find that when I've just woken up, my voice is always very rough and rather incomprehensible, so I don't use voice recording as a method of noting my dreams down. That may be just me though.

**melanieb** · 08-25-2012 02:39 AM

I write my dreams down on the pad by my bed, often in the semi-darkness. I don't have real trouble reading my writing. I use words and phrases to describe things just enough to keep the main memory down. If I have that I won't forget the tiny details.

Later I transfer them to Word files dated and coded by an alphabetic order so I know which one came first, in case I recall multiple dreams. These I copy to DV.

I like Word because I can add in details if I remember them while writing. I can also read over them and change words or phrasing when I don't express a thought the way I want to. Sometimes the best word to describe something doesn't immediately come to mind. Word helps solve this.

Speaking of, I'm still working on transfering several dreams to Word. I've been busy lately, and I like to be detailed with my descriptions.