Bookshelves of filled journals for this memoirist before I left it all behind in 2017 to move to South America. Luckily I lived through what was written on those shelves…
I’ve kept journals my entire adult ( and young adult ) life. So many!! (Oh, the angst!) I read The Artist’s Way when it was first published in the mid 90’s, and it didn’t change the way I journaled , but gave me some insight as an artist. And now at age 72 I’m deep into the first draft of my memoir. For some reason I cannot bring myself to go back into my journals from all those years. I think I’m afraid. I will, soon. But in the meantime , I’m writing down the bones anyway.
Hi Karen! Thank you for sharing this. Do you have a sense of why you might be avoiding it? No pressure to answer, though! Journaling is still valuable even if you never look back at it. Just the act of writing helps us process, and it can even cement things in our memory in a deeper way. Often it’s less about rereading and more about the release, the clarity, or simply the ritual of checking in with yourself.
Thanks for responding! "The act of writing helps us process..." exactly so.. I believe that's why I've always journaled. Like you, I've looked over adolescent journals and cringed 😬 But I have flipped back through some recent journals and been pleasantly surprised at my cronehood insight. In writing this memoir I've avoided going back to the journal years where the pain was worst, but now that I'm writing about those times, I do want to go back and open those books. They're all lined up on a shelf! And I know they will hold insight and depth which can add to what I'm writing now.. Just a matter finding the time! (p.s. I am halfway through the Brook Warner and Linda Joy Myers 6 month memoir course...!)
I journal frequently, though not every day or on a regular schedule. I’m also mining journals I kept in my late teens and early twenties for memoir details.
My perfect essay thanks Christina! And this is why l am writing a memoir about how my life changed when l discovered journaling!!!! This advice is so valuable and yes l would love journaling within our memoir group. A massive thank you for being here to all my fellow memoir group members as well. Xxx💜💜💜
Bookshelves of filled journals for this memoirist before I left it all behind in 2017 to move to South America. Luckily I lived through what was written on those shelves…
Ooh! Moving to and living in South America sounds like a great second memoir!
I’ve kept journals my entire adult ( and young adult ) life. So many!! (Oh, the angst!) I read The Artist’s Way when it was first published in the mid 90’s, and it didn’t change the way I journaled , but gave me some insight as an artist. And now at age 72 I’m deep into the first draft of my memoir. For some reason I cannot bring myself to go back into my journals from all those years. I think I’m afraid. I will, soon. But in the meantime , I’m writing down the bones anyway.
Hi Karen! Thank you for sharing this. Do you have a sense of why you might be avoiding it? No pressure to answer, though! Journaling is still valuable even if you never look back at it. Just the act of writing helps us process, and it can even cement things in our memory in a deeper way. Often it’s less about rereading and more about the release, the clarity, or simply the ritual of checking in with yourself.
Thanks for responding! "The act of writing helps us process..." exactly so.. I believe that's why I've always journaled. Like you, I've looked over adolescent journals and cringed 😬 But I have flipped back through some recent journals and been pleasantly surprised at my cronehood insight. In writing this memoir I've avoided going back to the journal years where the pain was worst, but now that I'm writing about those times, I do want to go back and open those books. They're all lined up on a shelf! And I know they will hold insight and depth which can add to what I'm writing now.. Just a matter finding the time! (p.s. I am halfway through the Brook Warner and Linda Joy Myers 6 month memoir course...!)
Cronehood insight! 😅 Love it!
Oh that's great that you're taking that course! I just finished it in December. ❤️
Btw did you see my reply to your recent note — (link to wrong Brooke …..!)
Oh no! I didn't see that! Thanks for letting me know!
😁
I journal frequently, though not every day or on a regular schedule. I’m also mining journals I kept in my late teens and early twenties for memoir details.
Great! How does it feel to read those past journals, Lisa? It's strange to see into these past versions of ourselves sometimes.
All the feelings… looking back, I have great compassion for my traumatized younger self.
My perfect essay thanks Christina! And this is why l am writing a memoir about how my life changed when l discovered journaling!!!! This advice is so valuable and yes l would love journaling within our memoir group. A massive thank you for being here to all my fellow memoir group members as well. Xxx💜💜💜
I was definitely thinking about you when I wrote this, Claire! ❤