Need to offload and keep it private

Fusspot

I'm unsure of where to post this so am posting it here. Hope this is ok.

Basically I have a need to offload something by writing in my journal as that's the only way I cope with things but it's something I really.don't want anyone to see, especially my boyfriend. I live alone but still.worry about privacy as I like to carry my journal with me and write when I am out and about if I feel the need. I worry that anyone could go in my bag.

A friend has suggested I write on loose leaf paper.and then file it in a.binder at home in a locked box. This sound the safest way but I like writing in books. I don't like to journal on my computer, it's one thing I like to.hand write. I have a spiral pad and have.thought of using that.and ripping out sensitive.entries but I really want to keep my journals as I've regretted throwing out past ones. Can anyone advise?

missindecisive

The best and safest place is to keep them in your head!

theoretica

You could write in a separate book for really private things and keep that in a locked box rather than loose leaf paper.

Horace

Why would anyone go through your bag? I keep my bag with me at all times when I am out and if I am in work then I keep it in a locked drawer and the key stays with me.

Fusspot

I keep my journal in my tote bag which is separate from my handbag, sometimes I leave it in my boyfriends car and just take my handbag with me. I have had someone go in my handbag before many years ago.

blonde36er

http://www.paperchase.co.uk/brown-lockable-journal.html

Could you get one of these?

moneyistooshorttomention

That journal looks nice.

Another possibility could be to buy a cheap metal safe (the type that people keep at home to keep their valuables in) and use an ordinary journal and keep it locked away in that. That sort of thing gets sold by Argos on the one hand. On the other hand, you might be able to buy one from the type of shop that cuts spare keys.

I can sympathise, as I've seen more than one incident of my privacy being invaded by someone reading something they weren't entitled to read (and one of them was a man in my life and it was about him! It honestly hadn't occurred to me he would go snooping round in my personal papers). Some people can be so nosy.

PasturesNew

I'd get a combination lock briefcase or small suitcase/overnight bag. You can use that to keep other things too then, over the years, of indeterminate size/shape. e.g. bank books/statements, passport.

Or investigate the combination lock luggage straps on ebay, just a few quid and you can use an old handbag you've already got.

Pun

Fusspot wrote: »

I'm unsure of where to post this so am posting it here. Hope this is ok.

Probably better to find a support group or 'agony aunt' type of site - this sort of question is one for behaviour therapy more than anything.

Eenymeeny

PasturesNew wrote: »

I'd get a combination lock briefcase or small suitcase/overnight bag. You can use that to keep other things too then, over the years, of indeterminate size/shape. e.g. bank books/statements, passport.

Or investigate the combination lock luggage straps on ebay, just a few quid and you can use an old handbag you've already got.

I think that is a really good idea. I already keep a briefcase for private papers which are really important and that I could grab in the hopefully, unlikely event of a fire. Paranoid, me? Nah!;) (I also hide it when we go on holiday...)
Back to the original point... If you use this case for your journal it won't arouse any kind of interest as it's always been there. Guarding it in your handbag might. Someone might just be tempted to look just because you're being so secretive about it...
Sorry, I've just reread your post and realised that you want something that you can add to while you are out and about. Can't advise anything there. I think that I'd just save it up until I was alone and let it all pour out then...
Hope that you get some better advice from others.

PenguinOfDeath

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I can sympathise, as I've seen more than one incident of my privacy being invaded by someone reading something they weren't entitled to read (and one of them was a man in my life and it was about him! It honestly hadn't occurred to me he would go snooping round in my personal papers). Some people can be so nosy.

Ditto, it's not nice and can affect your trust in people for years to come.

The lockable journal looks lovely, as long as the lock can't be picked easily if someone was nosey enough!