More blabbering about writing in your journal

I hope that I didn't upset anyone with yesterday's post. I didn't intend to. I wanted to give those of you who only use quotes by others in their journals something to think about. My attitude is that you are the only one on this planet capable of expressing your view of the world as seen and experienced through your eyes and once that perspective is gone, well...

Your journal is a collection of YOU. I know that scares the hell out of some people but it is. It's you on a good day. It's you on the most suckterific day. It's you on a boring, every day kind of day. It's Y O U.

Your journal is a great way not only to experiment with your artwork but also your own unique voice. It doesn't have to be perfect but keeping it real and honest are always the most important things in my book. Don't worry about what you write. Just try it. Don't worry about your penmanship either. Your handwriting (no matter good or how crappy it is) is a part of you. Play with your words and your pens on your pages and see what comes out. Don't worry about others reading it (though I always say if you're in the position where you are worried about others reading it and your own safety, write and cover it up with collage or paint.) Keep pushing. Don't worry about spelling or grammar or complete sentences. Don't worry about writing everything down. Just write. See what happens.

No one in 50 years will pick up your journal and say, "How boring!" or "What a grump!" No. They'll pick it up and see a person who loved, lived and experienced the world around them. They'll catch an extraordinary glimpse into seeing the world through someone else's eyes. They'll thank you for it. Just my two cents...

Comments

LOVE it, Kelly! Lately, my journaling has been ALL of me and what I am going through... Some not so great, but it's me. It's real. And I hope I am never boring. I am honest, though, and I am saying my own words like I guess nobody really else can...but I can't say theirs. That's a good thing! Cheers to you, kath
Sandy said…
I wasn't offended at all. I believe you're just encouraging people to not just create something pretty but use if for opening up, getting it all out and writing what you feel. I've learned a lot about myself from from all of your classes. I learned that while art journaling may be like scrapbooking in a way, using photos, clipping, pretty things, etc. It's much different in that I write more one very page about what I want to write, what I hope my son will read one day when I'm gone and know what was going on when he didn't understand all the time. I try not to burden people with my issues daily because it can become such a downer. It' great to write it out and go back later to see how much I've changed, how much better today is than when I wrote what I did. It may not always be good things but it's how I feel. Thanks Kelly for pushing us to discover more about ourselves.
Cheryl said…
Before I read what you wrote yesterday I'd like to say AMEN to what you are saying today. I've stood on the soap box a couple times in my blog and mostly I get no comments at all. I've kept a journal since the age of 13. I've lost most. Now I art journal and even when I don't feel like painting or gluing, I still write. I have to write about me for me. I have another book for quotes. Thanks for your two cents worth. It's priceless if someone listens.
Karla said…
Your comment yesterday resonated with me. I just took an online photoshop class. For one exercise we were suppose to pair some text with an image. I was the only one who didn't quote someone -- I said something from my heart. At the time I wondered if there was something wrong with me. Felt like I didn't fit in ... when you said what you did yesterday, it eased my worries :)
Karla said…
I also had a comment on writing. When I was in my mid twenties I worked with someone who had the most gorgeous writing. I watched her and learned this -- If you take your time, your writing will change. It takes effort to write in a lovely manner. This isn't to say that not-pretty writing is bad. Just that you can improve if you want to!
Tania said…
Does that mean there is something wrong with me, for using just quotes? My daughters and mother all pick up my art journal and look at it, to see what I am up to. Each quote I use means something to me and I know exactly where I was at on that particularly day. No-one else does, only me!!! I cannot write anything personal, because.... its personal and I do not wish them to read it. I will journal then paint over it, so it is under the layers! Am I wrong or protecting myself?
Marylinn Kelly said…
Kelly, I linked to your posts on quotes/original writing for journals on my blog today and hope this is okay. Thank you. xo
Cat said…
Tania, there is absolutely nothing wrong with you for using just quotes. Your art journal is meant to have significance for you and you alone. Don't worry about what others think or do. We all have to answer to ourselves first and frankly, that doesn't leave much time to worry about what others may think of the way you art journal. You should keep doing what makes YOU happy!!
Kelly Kilmer said…
Tania, neither post was meant to offend only to get those who ONLY use quotes to think outside of the box and to try to use their own words. It sounds like you DO use your own words you just cover them up (which is exactly what I suggested doing in the above blog post if you're in a position where others are reading your journal and it sounds like you don't really want them to...)

My point is, the good, the bad, the ugly, journaling is extremely healing, helpful and beneficial. It helps to get it out and onto the page (no matter what it is). It also is a record of your existence and the world seen through your eyes.

My words are never meant to hurt...I'm a teacher. My goal is to get folks out of their box and comfort zone. Don't let what I said get you down...but think about it. That's all I ask. :)
Tania said…
You are right Kelly, I would dearly love to write my innermost feelings and thoughts. But the fear of someone (namely my kids) reading it, would mortify me. I am not worried about my other half reading it, because he knows it all, already!!!! Maybe one day!
Kelly Kilmer said…
Tania,

:) Just remember deep down inside, we're all the same and your kids will do things that will mortify their kids, etc... ;) It's all part of the process.

I usually start my journals with a disclaimer that says something like this is MY journal, a piece of my life and it's meant for me. If something offends, it's on YOU. ;)

I always write about everything. My hopes are that some day my boy (who is 15 now and acts like I am a total embarrassment to him) will pick up my journal and say, "Hey, it's my Mom! What a goofball. Yet, what heart. I am thankful that I can get a glimpse into what was going on in her mind at the time..." something like that.

I've also written stuff if I've gotten into an argument with my husband, I'll write and vent about it yet he knows (and he reads my journal and I post everything on my blog and don't hold anything back) that I love him and I'd go to the ends of the Earth and back for him.

It's just that our various emotions are what make us human and we all have good and bad days and it's important to note both the good and the bad in life.

I love reading other peoples journals and being able to identify with some of the things that they write. I just think it's part of who we are..we're always trying to reach out and be understood. Writing in my journal helps me to understand who I am and what the hell I'm doing and where I'm going... It makes me feel less alone and less weird.

I'm rambling but hopefully you'll get what I'm saying.
Tania said…
Thanks Kelly, you have definately given me food for thought! I will be starting a new journal soon, maybe I should try something different??????
Have a good day!
Kelly Kilmer said…
Tania, if you do, I would love to hear how it goes!!!! :)

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