How I created a more flexible journaling practice
Someone asked me, “How do I stay on top of writing my journal entries?”
They were looking for a plan to follow. A surefire way to make sure they write even when they don’t feel like it. Or when they don’t have time. Or when they lack inspiration.
And who wouldn’t want that? Most of us would lunge at the chance to have a step-by-step process that guarantees we’ll stick with writing even when it feels pointless or hard to do.
I found something close to that in Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way. Her morning pages and the strict rules involved were the kind of discipline I thought I needed to be a “real” writer.
Always write three pages a day, every single day, first thing in the morning—no skipping
Always write by hand and don’t reread anything you write for at least eight weeks
Always write something, doesn’t matter what, even if it’s the most random, useless-seeming thoughts and feelings
Something clicked. I went all in. And for the first time in a long time, I was able to stay on top of my writing. I filled several journals following those rules.
But eventually I realized it wasn’t the rigid structure keeping me writing. There was something else working for me.
Yes, the rules of morning pages got me writing—they gave me a clear place to start.
But the resistance was strong, especially in the beginning. I can remember sitting down and writing “THIS IS SO STUPID I DON’T WANT TO WRITE” over and over until I had filled three pages just because I had to write something.
It was that practice of showing up and writing literally anything at all—not the set number of pages or the time of day—that kept me coming back. Over time, I’d learned that my writing practice wasn’t just another to-do to check off a list. It was a living, breathing relationship entirely unique to me, my life, and my ever-changing wants and needs.
Knowing that, I think “How do I stay on top of writing?” is actually the wrong question. The better question is “What do I need writing to look like today to be able to show up for it?”
Maybe you’re feeling resistant to writing, and you need to write a page about how frustrating the whole process is.
Maybe you’re feeling especially rushed, and you need to write one line that says, “I don’t have much time today, but this is me showing up.”
Or maybe you’re feeling quiet, and the words just won’t come, and you need to give yourself space to not write today.
Whatever the answer to the question, it counts toward the writing. More importantly, following through on it, day after day, is what helps us transform writing from a habit we have to stay on top of to a flexible practice—one that’s easier to show up for because it meets us where we are.
Next time you’re struggling to stay on top of your writing, try looking for a way to make it easier on yourself. What do you need writing to look like today to be able to show up?
If you want, comment and let me know.
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