Write What You Want When You Want

By Jane Farrell

I wrote in a journal for years, amassing probably 12 or so volumes chronicling my life in New York City.

Eventually, I stopped as work and home came to take up increasing amounts of time. Now, though, I’m determined to start journaling again, with a few new flexible rules:

• I will choose one notebook to write in, and I will stick to it even if it turns out not to be perfect. A school composition book is just as good a vehicle for my thoughts as a journal made of artisan paper with a blue silk cover. (I actually had a notebook like that at one time, but I never used it because it didn’t have lined paper. And I need lined paper.

• I will write every day, no matter how much or how little I have to say. Even one word will do. “Droopy.” “Cat.” “Snow.” Ideally, I will return to my one word a few days later and elaborate on what was happening. Did I snuggle with my cat or have to clean up her barf? Were kids out playing in the snow or cowering in the house? (The day we got 14 inches of snow – on April 14^th – we all cowered, believe me.) And as for “droopy,” well, that brings me to my next point…

There will be times when you feel sarcastic or vicious. Don’t hold back!

• I will limit writing about depression. I know this is a risky point to make. Depression is a real condition that does not respond to irritated exhortations like “snap out of it” or “stop feeling sorry for yourself.” At the same time, it doesn’t hurt to try to write about something from a point of view that’s new for you. You don’t have to have a constant “attitude of gratitude,” for example, even though that can get you through some rough days. There will be times when you feel sarcastic or vicious, instead. Don’t hold back! Write what you feel. It’s worked for me.
• Don’t wait for a special time to begin. The only “right” time to begin is now.

Here I go!