Hello there, friend,
I've never been one for keeping a journal. For a while, I kept what might be considered a commonplace book -- quick notes on my days, quotes that I wanted to remember, to-do lists. Then I spent some time working through Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way and wrote three morning pages each day. I never went back to read them, mostly because it was an exercise in clearing the mental pipes, so to speak, but I do still have the commonplace book.
A few weeks ago, I received a letter from a friend asking me how she might go about writing stories from her life. Where to start, and how? Morning pages were my suggestion. Just write; you can edit later. But whether we write so we can tell our stories or so we can seek out answers that might be within, taking the time to write out our thoughts and feelings can be so freeing.
Now that I say that, I wish I was taking more time to do it myself. However, I do think that's why I love writing letters, always by hand. It's another way to say, I am here. Do you see me? Whether to ourselves or a trusted friend, we are always seeking to be seen and understood.
xo,
L
