Yes to journals of all sorts! For reflection, for generative writing, for brainstorming ideas for creating a good life, for each book project, for collecting inspiring quotes, for exploring spirituality. My journal collection is my embarrassment of riches. Don't know what I'd do without them. They keep me sane and happy.
I also love reading published journals—The Folded Clock is great. I keep a journal, and have allowed myself to also just make lists in it/them—as I have a hard time settling on the perfect notebook.
I love a list! That's what I do when I just don't have time or energy for anything else. And it still jogs my memory when I reread later, so it does the trick!
Fellow lifelong prolific journaler! (There are so many filled books. My poor kids! Should I burn them before I die? Crates of them line the basement. ) I would happily participate in a reading list/group of journals of other artists as they chronicle their creative projects. I have John Steinbeck's on my shelf, but I honestly only stumble on other creative journals by accident! But I love reading them! Re: a class, I do love the idea of various prompts about new ways noticing the world or chronicling the creative process (Kind of like the documentary on Brian Eno at the Film Forum?) or exploring different mediums as a way to expand your primary project. Consider me a possible test subject!
It's true that there is power in words, and I love that -- still something to do responsibly. I think there's a bit of recklessness needed to do any kind of writing, but of course we want to be ethical humans, too!
I’m a very disorganized journaler… But have found it a powerful tool in many different ways. And fun fact, I’m working on a journaling project right now to help others.
I've been journaling consistently since working my way through The Artist's Way during my midlife career reinvention. I journaled on and off well before that, but carried so much shame and fear of discovery that I once burned a pile of notebooks filled with ideas, fantasies, and confessions. I almost burned down the garage. Worse, I feel the me that was in those pages lost the chance to be heard.
“My next novel, Animal Instinct, is “Fleishman Is in Trouble meets Big Swiss in this darkly humorous and tantalizing pandemic-era portrait of sex, divorce, and midlife, about a Brooklynite who frankensteins the perfect lover.”
I love to journal. It has saved my life many times I'm sure. Always available, this unconditional witnessing container. I've also burned many and regretted it later. Lists, quotes, dumpings, reflections, dreams. Thank you for opening my mind to the value of it again, and I love some of the books you mention. I will explore! xo
Well because of you I keep a diary and it’s really so great for helping me understand why I do what I do and what something that happened actually means for me. So thank you. Everybody listen to Amy.
Yes to journals of all sorts! For reflection, for generative writing, for brainstorming ideas for creating a good life, for each book project, for collecting inspiring quotes, for exploring spirituality. My journal collection is my embarrassment of riches. Don't know what I'd do without them. They keep me sane and happy.
Ahhh I love this! And I feel the same way about mine -- they definitely keep me sane.
I also love reading published journals—The Folded Clock is great. I keep a journal, and have allowed myself to also just make lists in it/them—as I have a hard time settling on the perfect notebook.
I love a list! That's what I do when I just don't have time or energy for anything else. And it still jogs my memory when I reread later, so it does the trick!
Fellow lifelong prolific journaler! (There are so many filled books. My poor kids! Should I burn them before I die? Crates of them line the basement. ) I would happily participate in a reading list/group of journals of other artists as they chronicle their creative projects. I have John Steinbeck's on my shelf, but I honestly only stumble on other creative journals by accident! But I love reading them! Re: a class, I do love the idea of various prompts about new ways noticing the world or chronicling the creative process (Kind of like the documentary on Brian Eno at the Film Forum?) or exploring different mediums as a way to expand your primary project. Consider me a possible test subject!
oooh I love that!! Thanks Tara!
I used to journal regularly. My Mom loved journalling too.
It is a bit painful sometimes.
I think it still is something to do responsibly, there is so much power in words.
However, the mind can’t be fooled in positive denial always.
Excellent post.
Thank you.
It's true that there is power in words, and I love that -- still something to do responsibly. I think there's a bit of recklessness needed to do any kind of writing, but of course we want to be ethical humans, too!
I love your perspective.
I’m a very disorganized journaler… But have found it a powerful tool in many different ways. And fun fact, I’m working on a journaling project right now to help others.
oooh I want to hear more! That's exciting, Alba!
I've been journaling consistently since working my way through The Artist's Way during my midlife career reinvention. I journaled on and off well before that, but carried so much shame and fear of discovery that I once burned a pile of notebooks filled with ideas, fantasies, and confessions. I almost burned down the garage. Worse, I feel the me that was in those pages lost the chance to be heard.
Wow Catherine! Thank you for sharing that. I’m sorry for what you lost and glad that you’re journaling again ❤️
“My next novel, Animal Instinct, is “Fleishman Is in Trouble meets Big Swiss in this darkly humorous and tantalizing pandemic-era portrait of sex, divorce, and midlife, about a Brooklynite who frankensteins the perfect lover.”
Get this into my eyeballs!
❤️❤️
I love to journal. It has saved my life many times I'm sure. Always available, this unconditional witnessing container. I've also burned many and regretted it later. Lists, quotes, dumpings, reflections, dreams. Thank you for opening my mind to the value of it again, and I love some of the books you mention. I will explore! xo
I love “witnessing container”— what a great way to put it! I’m also fascinated by people who burn their journals. It’s so… decisive!
Well because of you I keep a diary and it’s really so great for helping me understand why I do what I do and what something that happened actually means for me. So thank you. Everybody listen to Amy.