This is what a decade looks like.
On my studio shelf are 17 journals going all the way back to February 1, 2014. Back then, the Moleskin dotted journal was mostly filled with daily task lists (courtesy of a decade of Franklin planner lessons). Yet, within those initial journal pages are inspirational passages and early style memes (back before we called them memes). All early attempts of creating peace for myself.
These early journals were only “journals” in the sense that others named them as such…but NOT me. These early books only very occasionally included a brief reflection. Very brief. I’d not yet learned how important writing out my thoughts/reflections could and would be.
As a kid, I loved to write. My mother chided me, “Better write it down, if you want to remember it.” Yet, she also admonished me, “Don’t ever put into writing anything you wouldn’t want broadcast in Times Square!” The lesson I took from those two statements was a) write down the happy stuff but 2) don’t ever write down the sad/angry/emotional stuff…especially if she happened to be the topic.
Through the years, I’ve begun and quit journaling because of these two polar influences. Beginning to journal because of some new phase/learning/thing. Quitting because life hit a bump/roadblock/mayhem (because that’s what life does). Beginning because of joy. Quitting because of painful emotions.
It’s only in recent years, thanks to an amazing counselor, that I’ve learned of the importance journaling is to me through it all, especially the painful!
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” – Maya Angelou1
During a particular trying period, grief revealed my own resentment to the control of others. Counseling helped me face the “Times-Square Boogeyman” of my childhood and I began writing about the good, the bad, and the ugly in the pages of my journal. Their pages enable me to “talk” through deep thoughts (and not so deep) to find balance and peace.
According to John Mark Comer in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, “This slow, cathartic act of writing your life down is grounding, a tether for the oil in the hurricane of the modern world.”2 (BTW I highly recommend this book! Comer’s book and What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing provided balm for my soul.)
Yes, I keep a journal. It’s with me at all times. It’s also a scrapbook of travels, local and foreign. Ticket stubs, stickers, photos, and, yes, even lists are mixed in with the daily reflections and ideas..
How? You might be asking. Well, it’s part of my morning routine. Make the coffee. Walk the dog. Read non-fiction (NOT the internet) to wake up my brain cells. Morning prayer/devotional for spiritual nourishment. Then journal.
The Do Not Disturb setting on my cell phone for the first two hours of the day is an ESSENTIAL (and recent discovery) to help me keep distractions at bay. (#squirrel) Journaling is itself an ESSENTIAL part of my daily routine in a new way, like brushing my teeth but even better. It is my conversation with God as well as with myself. Beginning the day with kindness and care for my own well-being. ESSENTIAL.
What about you? Do you have a practice that works for you? Would you like to start one? Are you in need of writing encouragement? Someone you know would like to know.
“But I wonder what would happen if you say what you wanna say. And let the words fall out. Honestly, I wanna see you be brave.”
Sara Barielles – “Brave”
"Krafting" Bridges 
Hi Bobbi,
It was fun and interesting to read your piece about journaling.
I have many journals like yours from decades of writing. In 2009 I started journaling in Word documents saved by the month. There are advantages to both actually moving the pen on the paper and to hitting the keys. I have found with the latter, I write more, and I love being able to easily search for an occurrence in the past. I have encouraged grandchildren to journal so that in later years they can know what they were thinking at this age.
For Christmas I received Storyworth, an opportunity to answer a question each week, and the writings will be turned into a book. Some of the questions such as What was your father like? and What was the first world event that you recall? really take me down Memory Lane. And the questions prompt me to ask friends for their answers. Good fun and good remembering, and, of course, several mentions of “I don’t recall the details.” To me, it’s amazing what sticks in the old mind and what is gone!
I hope things are going well for you.
Blessings, Pat
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