I've always been impressed with my flickr friends who pull off the 365 Project. I like to think with habit, I kind of get a free pass on feeling guilty for never trying it. But at the same time, with habit, I'm not taking a picture every.single.day.
But at the start of this new year, I read this post at Chookooloonks about journaling. It was "a primer for those who'd like to start the practice in the new year." The post was inspiring to me. And after reading, the idea of it kept haunting me.
I have a five year journal which I love, (in theory). It sits beside my bed, and I attempt to write in it every night before sleep. I also attempt to keep a pen handy beside my bed. But between exhaustion, missing pens at the hand of little fingers, forgetfulness, and good books that I'm dying to dig into, that journal has been a bit neglected.
Habit is a testimony to the fact that I love marking time with just a few sentences. There's no pressure to write and write and write. That whole project has been so freeing. That a lot can be said with less.
But there is this strong part of me that is still very old-fashioned. Part of me, who wants to be better about putting pen to paper. I think we can all admit to thinking about the evidence of our lives that will be left behind when we are gone . Will my children and grandchildren log on to the internet to read about my life, my days, the things I made and baked, the lessons I've learned, the places I've visited, the animals I've raised, the people I've met?
Maybe so.
Maybe not.
So here I am. A new outlook and new inspiration on an old, time-honored art. An old-fashioned way of marking time.
I am taking on 365 this year, but for me, it will not be through the lens of my camera, but through the words that I put on the page.
I had found that post through your tumblr and have been doing the same (although not every day) bravo to you for doing this! i’ve kept similar journals for years, but I like the idea of tossing the day planner out and using this approach instead. it’s a bit more deliberate this way. wonderful project!
I just ordered a 5 yr journal with a friend. I hope to be better this time around with my journal. I am also trying to take more pictures each day to help me remember our many colored days.
love, molly.xo
I LOVED that post from Chookooloonks! That type of journaling is right up my alley.
Saw your tweet about it and was inspired as well! Only, my goal is to journal “consistently,” not necessarily every day. So far, so good! Got a letter from my grandmother today that I’ll be pasting in my journal and accompanying with thoughts of her. Thanks for sharing.
A lovely idea. Private journaling is a beautiful practice.
I LOVE this Molly, and maybe I’ll follow your lead. I love the richness that Flickr and Facebook and other people’s blogs have brought into my life — and yet, there’s a big part of me putting up a fuss too. Am I too dedicated to the feedback I get from folks who are not sitting right in front of me, and not thinking enough about what will be most meaningful to my own family? Sometimes.
This sounds really wonderful, Molly. I’ve been thinking about a written 365 myself for some time now but just haven’t put it into motion. Maybe this year… Best of luck with it.
i really like this idea…i bought a journal for this year… so far using it for my “to do” lists.always been a little timid about writing my feelings down.have fun.
Nice.I could use this practice to learn to keep things short. I could also use it as practice for improving and appreciating my handwriting. 🙂 I think this is something I could give a try without the focus of 365 but just simply for the sake of writing. Happy journaling!
I’m doing this too, and was inspired by the same post. So far so good. I like the idea of using it as a to-do list as well as a journal. That keeps me at it every day. It’s been very good so far.
What a great idea! I love how organic and true to life this type of journaling is…I can’t tell you how many times I tore pages out of my journal b/c I feared like it sounded like I was whining, etc! Perhaps I will begin one myself. Thanks for the idea!
i’ve been working on a journal much like she said too, but it’s so going so far. i have a few quotes, my list of things to do in a day, but not much else.
it will come to me eventually, i’m sure of it.
Let’s leave a journal to our children ~ evidence of a life lived. I know how much I would treasure one if, say, one of my grandmothers had written. It would be so interesting to read now ~ now that my perspective has changed from that of child to one of mother.
Thanks for the wonderful post today. Cheers~
i think this is a great idea and i just might steal it. 😉
I too loved that post by Karen at Chookooloonks that I immediately went out and bought myself a new beautiful leather bound journal. I’m looking forward to filling it up, even if it is just my to-do list:)
This will be wonderful to look back on. Something does feel fleeting about the computer (which is why I print out books of my blogs).
Love this! I was just jotting down notes of things I want to start doing daily and journaling was on my list- love the Chookooloonks post- thanks for sharing!
I tend to whine more in my journal…and put the lovely, fun bits on the blog. Not sure anyone would want to read the whining!I did want to tell you that the recipe for apple loaf that you posted ages upon ages ago is still my husband’s favourite (my only change was to add cardamom.)
I keep a sporadic blog and a somewhat regular journal because I don’t think one replaces the other. However, if I had to choose, I would keep the journal. Isn’t it amazing to see something that written with your loved one’s own hand? To know that they held that very same book in their hands and used their hands to pour thoughts onto paper, to see their unique handwriting, and see the unedited words-meant for posterity, not faceless strangers-that seems very real. Blogs are a fantastic way to record moments, but how often does the blog community have to remind itself that blogs are only a glimpse, not a panorama? So, yes! Do both!
I’ve tried the 365 and don’t make it either. 🙂 I love journals, my sketchbooks are sort of a journals. visual journal. Thats also what my sister and I exchanged this year..journals. 2011 must be year of the journal…hee heee. I’m seeing it everywheres or maybe I’m just actually paying attention.My thoughts are with Katie on the physical journal vs. internet. Good thoughts Katie!
The Chookooloonks journal idea sounds great. I’ve done something similar in the past but 1) sometimes I want some of that stuff to be public and some to be private and 2) I’m terrified of leaving my journal somewhere if I carry it around with me! It may be partially a lifestyle thing. Leaving it in the car wouldn’t be such a big deal but I’m more likely to drop it on the bus or leave it at the office! So, I haven’t quite found a way to make that sort of all-inclusive journaling work for me.
On the other hand, I LOVE my 5-year journal. I’m now in year three and I feel like I have a much better connection to the rhythm of my life since I started it. Before that, I felt like life was passing without my really knowing where it went.