I’ve just re-started a journal/notebook/sketchbook thing and I needed to hear that it’s okay to just use it and spend time in it, not even every day, even just to look through it sometimes, and not aim for anything beyond boring and messy ; ) It is all about letting the grammar of self flow out - for me that’s the hard part, to let it flow out without passing through all those ‘should’ filters first, so maybe I’ll think of this notebook thing as a place to learn to do just that.
This has made me think again about keeping a proper notebook. I've always had the habit of recording my thoughts, insights and experiences but randomly in any old notebooks or diaries currently to hand or on loose pages that float about my desk for ages. Sounds horrible when I describe it. Your "ink on a creamy page" gave me a feeling of enticement, I got a flash of going out and buying myself a nice book and sitting down to it with pleasure. I think I'm ready for it.
wonderful! I have 3 going (I try to keep different types of writing in different notebooks, i.e., essays, scholarly, nature journaling but they don't stay within the boundaries necessarily :-) )
I just started a new notebook/journal last week, after several years away from the practice, for many of these reasons. I need a place to brain dump. I have a lot of stuff spinning around in there.
Thank you for so many beautiful sign posts as to why I write too! So many of yours I felt deeply. To process complex experiences...of those I've had many. To park my thoughts...so they don't live in my body. To be as unlost as I can be...being as slow as I need to be. What if...so many branches of this for me to explore! Have a wonderful vacation! Just love your sea swim and magical shadow photos!💜💜💜🩵🩵🩵😊😊😊💝💝💝
"It’s a deep relief to have this incredible technology of the soul at my fingertips." I'm quoting you back to you, KM, and that's a compliment! I'm pouring my soul out onto paper for me and possibly others if I decide I want to share. If it hits something deep inside, someone else might be moved by it too.
You captured the many reasons why I, too, write in my notebook, though the one thing missing for me may be the “finding confluence” part. I shall pay more attention to this now! I, too, feel stifled by the pressure of a daily journal (I’ve tried), so now I write when I’m moved to write. Have a wonderful vacation!
I love this. I've started one of these notebooks since I read your piece on keeping a notebook. I'm trying to replace the many notebooks with one, although I am still battling on with a five year diary – currently two weeks behind and I'm feeling the pressure. It's possibly the most boring diary I've ever written – took x to swimming, xx had football training – as there's no room for expansion. Now I've started though, I feel I have to keep going.
“A net in which to catch yourself”,love this, sums it up so well.
I’ve just re-started a journal/notebook/sketchbook thing and I needed to hear that it’s okay to just use it and spend time in it, not even every day, even just to look through it sometimes, and not aim for anything beyond boring and messy ; ) It is all about letting the grammar of self flow out - for me that’s the hard part, to let it flow out without passing through all those ‘should’ filters first, so maybe I’ll think of this notebook thing as a place to learn to do just that.
YES!!! This was so good to read. It spoke to me and for me perfectly.
I love this! Yes!
Also, I first misread “to make things real” as “to make things heal” — that, too!
This has made me think again about keeping a proper notebook. I've always had the habit of recording my thoughts, insights and experiences but randomly in any old notebooks or diaries currently to hand or on loose pages that float about my desk for ages. Sounds horrible when I describe it. Your "ink on a creamy page" gave me a feeling of enticement, I got a flash of going out and buying myself a nice book and sitting down to it with pleasure. I think I'm ready for it.
wonderful! I have 3 going (I try to keep different types of writing in different notebooks, i.e., essays, scholarly, nature journaling but they don't stay within the boundaries necessarily :-) )
I just started a new notebook/journal last week, after several years away from the practice, for many of these reasons. I need a place to brain dump. I have a lot of stuff spinning around in there.
Thank you for so many beautiful sign posts as to why I write too! So many of yours I felt deeply. To process complex experiences...of those I've had many. To park my thoughts...so they don't live in my body. To be as unlost as I can be...being as slow as I need to be. What if...so many branches of this for me to explore! Have a wonderful vacation! Just love your sea swim and magical shadow photos!💜💜💜🩵🩵🩵😊😊😊💝💝💝
"It’s a deep relief to have this incredible technology of the soul at my fingertips." I'm quoting you back to you, KM, and that's a compliment! I'm pouring my soul out onto paper for me and possibly others if I decide I want to share. If it hits something deep inside, someone else might be moved by it too.
“Technology of the soul” — love this! My notebook is usually pretty mundane, but gems are occasionally buried — such a good reason to reread.
This list is a treasure 💛
So good and so true! I love this as someone who has…multiple journals and the notes app on my phone full of poetry and random thoughts and quotes. ♥️
You captured the many reasons why I, too, write in my notebook, though the one thing missing for me may be the “finding confluence” part. I shall pay more attention to this now! I, too, feel stifled by the pressure of a daily journal (I’ve tried), so now I write when I’m moved to write. Have a wonderful vacation!
Wonderful! I mined a few precious gems from this one.
Really resonate with this and have a great holiday.
I love this. I've started one of these notebooks since I read your piece on keeping a notebook. I'm trying to replace the many notebooks with one, although I am still battling on with a five year diary – currently two weeks behind and I'm feeling the pressure. It's possibly the most boring diary I've ever written – took x to swimming, xx had football training – as there's no room for expansion. Now I've started though, I feel I have to keep going.