As a regular “journalist” myself, this resonates. And there is something even more powerful when one journals, with pen in hand, on paper (preferably an actual journal that feels right to the person). That tactile and sensual experience heightens, for me, the feeling of sacredness to the act of writing. Plus, it slows things down just enough for the mind to both stay engaged but also roam to the outer edges of consciousness where the most fruitful explorations occur.
And I know you take great pride in your penmanship, as do I—an art and craft that is rapidly disappearing in our culture. Sometimes I wonder the full consequences of some of the things our fast-paced, technology-driven lives have taken away from us (or rather, what we’ve let go of despite the technology). Even the simple act of handwriting did something in brains and for our nervous systems. Minus that…at what cost?
Journaling is such a powerful and effective tool for getting to understand ourselves better. For me it's a way to release emotions, frustration, grief, and get to the bottom of why I feel the way I do. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks so much for this post, D-M. Have we discussed our journals? I'm 16,772 days in, and unlikely to stop now. I wrote about it. too. https://petermoore.substack.com/p/road-to-elsewhere-excerpt-journal-by-peter-moore
WOW! That’s quite the practice. We need to talk more in-depth about this
As a regular “journalist” myself, this resonates. And there is something even more powerful when one journals, with pen in hand, on paper (preferably an actual journal that feels right to the person). That tactile and sensual experience heightens, for me, the feeling of sacredness to the act of writing. Plus, it slows things down just enough for the mind to both stay engaged but also roam to the outer edges of consciousness where the most fruitful explorations occur.
We are definitely aligned on these points of yours. The tactile aspect of writing has been very therapeutic for me over the years.
And I know you take great pride in your penmanship, as do I—an art and craft that is rapidly disappearing in our culture. Sometimes I wonder the full consequences of some of the things our fast-paced, technology-driven lives have taken away from us (or rather, what we’ve let go of despite the technology). Even the simple act of handwriting did something in brains and for our nervous systems. Minus that…at what cost?
Journaling is such a powerful and effective tool for getting to understand ourselves better. For me it's a way to release emotions, frustration, grief, and get to the bottom of why I feel the way I do. Thanks for sharing this!
Agree. It’s been a life altering practice for me Janine.
I love it. Unfiltered expression and seeing myself from a few steps back as I let time pass then review. Plus. You get off the dang screen