What a beautiful piece. "In the meantime, I do know that who I am here and now. I have it in writing. I’m grateful because I know I will nurture and create here. And if you know my story, this vision realized is nothing short of the very magic I did in my imagination." Stunning work! Congratulations on the move as well!
In my quest for creativity, I recently started a journal practice, a watercolor hobby, and a Creativity Club. Luxuriating in creativity has been the best thing I’ve done for myself. I also wrote an article a few months ago about the meditative quality of handwriting and included some research that showed it’s actually good for your brain health. Enjoyed this piece!
Love it! I have run creativity circles for years, and they are incredibly nourishing to our personal practices. Love that you are approaching creativity from multiple angles. I am not surprised there’s neuroscience that supports the empirical evidence (mine being I get quite mad when I’m not creative). :)
I love journaling but recently have felt pressed for time so have just been jumping to the computer. Might need a new journal. 😁 Thanks for the reminder! Congrats on the new house!!
Thank you! A new journal = endless possibilities. I recommend getting something beautiful. I notice if I have a journal that I love the look of, I am more likely to stay committed to it.
Jen - Congratulations on the move and I appreciate the need for a few moments of slowdown in the midst of everything you had to contend with. That tree and spot in the yard looks gorgeous! Is that picture where you now live? I think it is. What an amazing place to watch life unfold~ and journal!
That is awesome! I hope so too. I think I'd research what do I give 10 year old trees as a snack for healthy growing. Bring it with me from time to time - feed it to her - and then sit back and journal.
Beautiful writing. Happy moving and congratulations on your new home. Thank you for that. Beautiful photo of the baby birds and your kindness and not disturbing their nest.
I SHOULD keep a journal. I SHOULD HAVE kept a journal. For me it's been quite guilt producing not to have the discipline. I do have an alternative, though. I have my mother's collection of photographs. I've been writing about the significance of each one. For example, a picture of me playing checkers with my grandfather evokes thoughts about my always being ready to play a game. Any game.
In six weeks, I’ll be moving for the second time in a year; this time far away from the place that has been my home for over 20 years. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time but at least I have already been through the what-to-keep-what-to-let-go step. Handwritten morning pages are the foundation of my daily rituals, and help to keep me grounded through every kind of turmoil. I am so looking forward to looking out a new window as I write!
Congratulations on your move! I'm glad you were able to go through your journals and writings. So many times those things are put on the shelf to keep, but rarely visited. I write everything down as well. It's interesting to look at what you wrote about in stops and starts, ideas you had, and also where you were as a person. Like a documentary of you, but while you were living it, not as remembered. I love writing in longhand first. It slows you down and somehow, the thought process is different then when typing. My problem is I have a hard time reading my handwriting! This is such a great post, so grounding. Thank you for starting my day off with this!
Thank you, Sara. It's the best when something is revealed from your past that you haven't thought about in years. The handwriting challenge is real though - especially when you were in flow as you wrote. :)
Wishing you hours and days of peace and succor in your new surroundings, Jen. It's no small lift to change households, but you're there! I see you near that tree, handwriting your way to bliss.
Nancy! Thank you for this. I'm doing okay, but whoa boy ... Judging from the number of typos in this post and the fact that I accidentally stole someone's grocery cart when shopping a bit ago, I might need to sleep the next few days.
Jen.. funny how the unfinished notebooks didn't feel unfinished at all.... sometimes they're less a record of projects abandoned than proof that different versions of ourselves really were here for a while (｡◕‿◕｡)
jen... really glad it resonated 💛 loved reading that u spent time with an old essay today... who would've thought essays could become conversations with former versions of ourselves? actually wrote a little novel called the signals you ignore that circles some of that same territory... memory... the different selves we leave behind... and the quiet conversations we keep having with them. if you'd ever like to read it, happy to send u a free ebook... no strings attached ◕‿◕
What a beautiful piece. "In the meantime, I do know that who I am here and now. I have it in writing. I’m grateful because I know I will nurture and create here. And if you know my story, this vision realized is nothing short of the very magic I did in my imagination." Stunning work! Congratulations on the move as well!
Thank you, Jackie.
In my quest for creativity, I recently started a journal practice, a watercolor hobby, and a Creativity Club. Luxuriating in creativity has been the best thing I’ve done for myself. I also wrote an article a few months ago about the meditative quality of handwriting and included some research that showed it’s actually good for your brain health. Enjoyed this piece!
Love it! I have run creativity circles for years, and they are incredibly nourishing to our personal practices. Love that you are approaching creativity from multiple angles. I am not surprised there’s neuroscience that supports the empirical evidence (mine being I get quite mad when I’m not creative). :)
I love journaling but recently have felt pressed for time so have just been jumping to the computer. Might need a new journal. 😁 Thanks for the reminder! Congrats on the new house!!
Thank you! A new journal = endless possibilities. I recommend getting something beautiful. I notice if I have a journal that I love the look of, I am more likely to stay committed to it.
Jen - Congratulations on the move and I appreciate the need for a few moments of slowdown in the midst of everything you had to contend with. That tree and spot in the yard looks gorgeous! Is that picture where you now live? I think it is. What an amazing place to watch life unfold~ and journal!
It is! I will care for this tree with so much dedication. I hope she lives 50 years (I think she's about 10).
That is awesome! I hope so too. I think I'd research what do I give 10 year old trees as a snack for healthy growing. Bring it with me from time to time - feed it to her - and then sit back and journal.
Great pic~ Thanks again.
Thank you for the spark of the words "long hand"!
Thank you for sharing these prompts and asking us to reflect on spaces. Congratulations on your new home!
Thank you!!
Beautiful writing. Happy moving and congratulations on your new home. Thank you for that. Beautiful photo of the baby birds and your kindness and not disturbing their nest.
☀️
They flew off into their lives the day before we were completely moved out. 🥰
Welcome to the hood my friend! I love that prompt of who you were and who you are now. I’m going to write about that myself.
So excited you’re just one street over! ✨💕🐦⬛
Yay!!! I can't wait to have you over. 💕
I SHOULD keep a journal. I SHOULD HAVE kept a journal. For me it's been quite guilt producing not to have the discipline. I do have an alternative, though. I have my mother's collection of photographs. I've been writing about the significance of each one. For example, a picture of me playing checkers with my grandfather evokes thoughts about my always being ready to play a game. Any game.
I love this, Nancy. The way we approach(ed) board games - or any games - is a fascinating topic.
In six weeks, I’ll be moving for the second time in a year; this time far away from the place that has been my home for over 20 years. It is exciting and terrifying at the same time but at least I have already been through the what-to-keep-what-to-let-go step. Handwritten morning pages are the foundation of my daily rituals, and help to keep me grounded through every kind of turmoil. I am so looking forward to looking out a new window as I write!
It is so energizing to settle in new space, Stace. I’m excited for you. After 20 years, especially, it will be quite the adventure.
I love writing long hand! I start almost every essay that way. Good luck with move!!
Thanks, Stacy! I love that you do this. I used to and then stopped somewhere along the way. So glad to be joining you again.
Congratulations on your move! I'm glad you were able to go through your journals and writings. So many times those things are put on the shelf to keep, but rarely visited. I write everything down as well. It's interesting to look at what you wrote about in stops and starts, ideas you had, and also where you were as a person. Like a documentary of you, but while you were living it, not as remembered. I love writing in longhand first. It slows you down and somehow, the thought process is different then when typing. My problem is I have a hard time reading my handwriting! This is such a great post, so grounding. Thank you for starting my day off with this!
Thank you, Sara. It's the best when something is revealed from your past that you haven't thought about in years. The handwriting challenge is real though - especially when you were in flow as you wrote. :)
Wishing you hours and days of peace and succor in your new surroundings, Jen. It's no small lift to change households, but you're there! I see you near that tree, handwriting your way to bliss.
Nancy! Thank you for this. I'm doing okay, but whoa boy ... Judging from the number of typos in this post and the fact that I accidentally stole someone's grocery cart when shopping a bit ago, I might need to sleep the next few days.
Sleep is so restorative. Get some! (hoping hoping).
“When I’ve been in times of transition, handwriting offered a palatable balance of clarity and understanding.” Yes. Great post, Jen.
Thanks for reading, Sam!
Jen.. funny how the unfinished notebooks didn't feel unfinished at all.... sometimes they're less a record of projects abandoned than proof that different versions of ourselves really were here for a while (｡◕‿◕｡)
Thank you for your insight. I actually spent an hour today reviving an old essay I wrote. It was lovely to converse with my former self.
jen... really glad it resonated 💛 loved reading that u spent time with an old essay today... who would've thought essays could become conversations with former versions of ourselves? actually wrote a little novel called the signals you ignore that circles some of that same territory... memory... the different selves we leave behind... and the quiet conversations we keep having with them. if you'd ever like to read it, happy to send u a free ebook... no strings attached ◕‿◕