Lovely post, helped me to reflect on what motivates me to write which is to make sense of my internal world by providing a safe space where different aspects of myself (or “my selves”) can have a voice. My journal reads like a play interspersed with quotes from podcasts, books, astrological aspects plus descriptions of my creative process.
The act of integrating walking, writing & making art has become a daily practice for over 30 years. I have over 200 A4 journals and have bequeathed them to the Great Diary Project.
There are many “books” within the diaries, however, I find it hard to find a format in which to share excepts or to develop certain themes as each seems to betray my other interests that all feed into the whole.
This platform feels more accepting and safe to be the complex beings we are without sacrificing our humanity for the demand that we brand ourselves to fit with the algorithms of social media & search engines. I can’t and won’t limit my expression & prefer to feel the wind whip my face on the moors, listen to the haunting cries of curlews and notice the ferns shapeshifter into swathes of red ochre cloaking the hills than worship the screen.
Being 60 years old sharpens your discernment regarding what warrants your attention. Where I offer it is my only super power.
Wow. 200 journals. Thank you for the inspiration. At 51, I feel that I am finally coming into who I am meant to be. I love taking the time to write and reflect on who she is. ❤️
I want to write because I can’t stop myself at the moment. It started a few months ago and I can’t not put the thoughts down on paper. Whilst that feeling is with me, I am embracing it and it is helping me to see the world through I different lens.
Thanks for sharing, Molly and for promoting me to think about this too. Have a soothing slow Sunday 🫖📚🥾
Thank you Molly … what a wonderful stream of consciousness.
I want to write because our words are everything, and when I'm writing I have a quiet power that I'm addicted to … I want to write because it gifts me with more peace, calm and focus than I can ever hope to achieve without it.
I want to write to integrate my own experiences and I want to write because I believe sharing our stories is healing and connecting in a world which is very disconnected at times. I want to write because it’s like a magic spell when words and feelings alchemise and create art. I love this prompt and will definitely explore it. Thank you. Xxx
All of this and more. I write because I have so many words inside of me and when I try to speak them, they come out a jumbled mess. But when I write, the world makes sense. I write to remember, to capture a moment and live in that moment again and again. I write to leave a legacy for my children.
I think this is a wonderful prompt to return to often. I wrote because it offers me a portal to my soul. I find my true self in my words and in my journals. I use visual journaling to also explore my thoughts, emotions and dreams. Pairing the two practices have altered the course of my life. ❤️
Beautiful, Molly! Thanks for sharing this. I love what you said about sometimes you can’t remember if something happened to your friends or in a book - it’s like when you finish a great book and you actually really miss the characters! Like you don’t want to leave that world. It transports you even more than a film does I think. 💕
I write because it clears my head and clarifies my thoughts. I write because it helps me make sense of the world. I write because it opens my senses to exploring the world deeply. I write because I hear the play of words tumbling in my head. I write because I love it. I write because I can't not.
I want to write so I can better understand who I am and what I’m feeling. To communicate to myself and others the feelings and emotions I have deep inside, but have great difficulty articulating verbally.
Lovely post, helped me to reflect on what motivates me to write which is to make sense of my internal world by providing a safe space where different aspects of myself (or “my selves”) can have a voice. My journal reads like a play interspersed with quotes from podcasts, books, astrological aspects plus descriptions of my creative process.
The act of integrating walking, writing & making art has become a daily practice for over 30 years. I have over 200 A4 journals and have bequeathed them to the Great Diary Project.
There are many “books” within the diaries, however, I find it hard to find a format in which to share excepts or to develop certain themes as each seems to betray my other interests that all feed into the whole.
This platform feels more accepting and safe to be the complex beings we are without sacrificing our humanity for the demand that we brand ourselves to fit with the algorithms of social media & search engines. I can’t and won’t limit my expression & prefer to feel the wind whip my face on the moors, listen to the haunting cries of curlews and notice the ferns shapeshifter into swathes of red ochre cloaking the hills than worship the screen.
Being 60 years old sharpens your discernment regarding what warrants your attention. Where I offer it is my only super power.
This is so beautiful, thank you for sharing. And that is an impressive number of journals! What a legacy :)
Wow. 200 journals. Thank you for the inspiration. At 51, I feel that I am finally coming into who I am meant to be. I love taking the time to write and reflect on who she is. ❤️
I want to write because I can’t stop myself at the moment. It started a few months ago and I can’t not put the thoughts down on paper. Whilst that feeling is with me, I am embracing it and it is helping me to see the world through I different lens.
Thanks for sharing, Molly and for promoting me to think about this too. Have a soothing slow Sunday 🫖📚🥾
It is so addictive! Thank you for sharing :)
Thank you Molly … what a wonderful stream of consciousness.
I want to write because our words are everything, and when I'm writing I have a quiet power that I'm addicted to … I want to write because it gifts me with more peace, calm and focus than I can ever hope to achieve without it.
Beautiful post Molly, I love the rawness.
I want to write because I can’t not. The words build up in my head to bursting point, their only outlet my writing.
Thank you! It is the best outlet :)
I want to write to integrate my own experiences and I want to write because I believe sharing our stories is healing and connecting in a world which is very disconnected at times. I want to write because it’s like a magic spell when words and feelings alchemise and create art. I love this prompt and will definitely explore it. Thank you. Xxx
I want to write because I feel the need to tell my stories. I see a different world in my dreams and I want to share it with everyone.
So wonderful :)
All of this and more. I write because I have so many words inside of me and when I try to speak them, they come out a jumbled mess. But when I write, the world makes sense. I write to remember, to capture a moment and live in that moment again and again. I write to leave a legacy for my children.
I want to write because I feel incomplete when I don't. I want to write because I don't who I am when I don't.
Like the others I am so very much loving this raw piece you've shared with us. It went straight to my core, my heart.
Thank you so very much Molly.
I'm so pleased! Thank you for sharing :)
Beautiful post! I want to write because it helps me understand the world and myself, without it I am lost. Writing brings so much peace to me.
I love this! Thank you for sharing :)
I think this is a wonderful prompt to return to often. I wrote because it offers me a portal to my soul. I find my true self in my words and in my journals. I use visual journaling to also explore my thoughts, emotions and dreams. Pairing the two practices have altered the course of my life. ❤️
I love the idea of pairing visuals with your writing! Thank you for sharing :)
Thanks for bringing up this question, Molly. For many of us, writing has a therapeutic purpose.
It really does :)
Beautiful, Molly! Thanks for sharing this. I love what you said about sometimes you can’t remember if something happened to your friends or in a book - it’s like when you finish a great book and you actually really miss the characters! Like you don’t want to leave that world. It transports you even more than a film does I think. 💕
I agree! I love that I get to hold on to all of these stories :)
Love this post! I might just try your prompt...
I want to write because it’s how I get to know myself.
I write because it clears my head and clarifies my thoughts. I write because it helps me make sense of the world. I write because it opens my senses to exploring the world deeply. I write because I hear the play of words tumbling in my head. I write because I love it. I write because I can't not.
Lovely :)
I want to write so I can better understand who I am and what I’m feeling. To communicate to myself and others the feelings and emotions I have deep inside, but have great difficulty articulating verbally.
A beautiful reason :)