Writers know point of view is a critical tool for shaping the experience of the reader. But what about when the reader is also the writer, as is the case when journaling?

You might be surprised to learn that I have a habit of writing in my journals in multiple points of view depending on the context.

These different POVs allow me to look inside of my mind with varying degrees of distance and perspective, each one a specific tool to achieve certain desirable effects.

I had never really thought about why I do this until recently when I made a breakthrough on a creative problem I had been trying to solve. I was trying to figure out the narrative line of a video I'm working on and kept writing in the first person:

"Lately I've been feeling stuck."

But it felt too personal causing me to retreat and avoid writing altogether.

Then I tried writing the script as if I was writing a scene about someone else:

"Lately the man has been feeling stuck."

All of the sudden it wasn't me. It was "the man" and I can write about the man as a character in the story without trying to defend him or protect his ego from his insecurities.

That simple switch allowed me to think differently about what I was making.

So let's go through the three points of view briefly, and explore when and why I use them while journaling.

First person POV

When I write in the first person it's usually to document and record:

"Today my coworkers and I sang Piggies by The Beatles together..."

Sometimes, the first person works more like an affirmation or a mantra:

"I will make sure to follow through on my commitments next week..."

It's also the most appropriate perspective when I'm exploring an idea or observation which feels personal and close to the subject matter.

"I've been thinking about Plato's concept of ruling the soul as if it was a city ran by an aristocracy..."

I'm unpacking my thoughts onto the page to get a sense of what's swirling around in my head. It's as close to the voice I hear in my head as I can get and crucially, it's not a conversation, but a representation.

Second Person POV

I find myself writing in the second person when I'm having a conversation with myself:

"Why is it that you can write consistently, but struggle to exercise regularly?"

By asking myself a question as if it's someone else asking me, I can start to think like I would if I were having a conversation. It's a subtle difference, but a big one because it forces me to think more logically.

I'm trying to explain myself in words that would make sense to someone else. That someone else just so happens to be me which can be extremely clarifying.

I also write in the second person when I'm writing myself some form of self-help advice:

"You don't always have to be in control."

"It's ok for you to look like an idiot every once in a while."

This allows me to talk to myself as if I were a friend, giving my alternative self some compassion and advice.

Then there are times when I give myself a command in the second person in a desperate hope that I will obey authority for once in my life:

"You will lift weights 4x next week."

"You do not need to read another book on the subject. You need to start writing!"

As you might be guessing by now, second person perspective can be the most harmful if you're not careful.

This is the most likely POV to spiral into self-loathing and giving voice to negative thoughts in your mind.

When this happens, and it does from time to time, I do my best to redirect that energy back into the voice of the friend whose just there to listen without judgment.

But when that doesn't work then third person POV can often help.

Third Person POV

I find the "eye-in-the-sky" distance of the third person narrator voice helpful for observing my own thoughts and behaviors with less judgment.

They become more like statements of facts and feel less threatening to my identity.

Last year I had a health issue come up that weighed heavy on my mood. During that time I found myself writing in the third person a lot.

"Zacc is really freaking out right now. Tomorrow he will go to the doctor but today he is going to do his best to stay calm by staying away from the internet."

Third person helps take the emotions out of the situation so you can observe events detached from the passions.

"The man argued with his boss today. Let's explore both of their perspectives in detail to better understand the situation."

Third person to me is the best way to "get out of my head" while still remaining in my head.

Like all techniques, point of view is a tool that helps achieve certain effects.

If writing your thoughts down in a journal isn't giving you the desired effect, then try switching your tool.

Prompt:

Have you ever tried journaling in different POVs?

Try writing a journal entry in the second or third person this week and see how different it feels.