How to Start a Fearless Journal Practice
Revealing hidden superpowers (Part 1 of 4)
Guess what? Last week’s review of Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood? Totally rocked. Forty percent of poll respondents said they don’t keep a journal but would like to. Which begs the deeper question: What’s holding you back?
When I want to do something but don’t, the rationalization is almost always steeped in fear disguised as a noble action. Sometimes it’s “I’m too busy rescuing circus hamsters” (maze rigging, a shockingly under-reported problem). Other times, “I’ll start once Mercury goes direct.” When I offer journaling workshops, creatives explore journal-writing techniques, including what stops them. These fears go by many personas, but I know them well.
The Snooper, who reads what was never theirs to read.
The Echo Looper: “nothing to say, to say, to say…”
The Thief, who steals time with guilt and obligation.
We’re a fearless community. Bring them on!
Here’s Your First Act of Courage
Write one line you wouldn’t want anyone else to read. Stash it in a treasured place. Then, download the image below to your laptop or phone, allowing it to work its magic over the weekend.
See you Monday for the first battle in the Journal Writer’s Gauntlet!
I can't fully recognize these, but a bit of each at different times. I was keeping too many journals, and it was confusing. This article reminds me to clarify my intentions and commit. One solution: My pretty journals are too precious, so I'll try writing in plain notebooks instead.
Hi, Sheila. Thanks for sharing this so openly—what a powerful realization. I love your solution of switching to plain notebooks; it’s such a liberating way to take the pressure off and let the words flow. Clarifying your intention and committing to one journal is a beautiful act of creative self-trust. That said, I, too, find beautiful journals irresistible! The lesson is that it's all about focus. Thanks again for kicking off this conversation.