I do this with photos on my iPhone. When I see something beautiful or unusual I capture that image. Later I create albums— roses, waterfalls, family. Sometimes when I am distressed I go back and immerse myself in these beautiful photos and the days they recall. It helps.
This is pretty much my approach to photos. If I would turn to a walking partner and say "wow, look at that!" I take a picture. A couple of times I have been in a hurry or stressed and skipped a picture.. I always end up regretting it. So now my mantra is Take the Picture.
I love journaling myself and am doing 3 things on a daily basis: I make a picture of the day, I write down my ‘story of the day’ (the highlights that happened and I want to remember) and the things I’m grateful for that day.
Why I loved this post so much, is because it directly inspired me to add one more to my daily writings: the observations of the day. I’ve started with this yesterday and immediately noticed that I’m writing down very different things than with the other topics. I’m noticing in a different way.
Dani Shapiro shared an excellent exercise in her book, “Still Writing” (GREAT audiobook): Take a page and divide it into quadrants. Label the first quad “I Saw.” Label the second quad “I Heard.” Label the third quad “I Did.” Then label the fourth quad “Doodle.” List salient moments from your day in each quad, then draw a doodle! Even though I suck at doodling, the doodles I’ve made are special, and reflect my experience of a given day. It’s a great practice!
I notice shadows. They are captivating: how they change over the course of the day, how they give dimension to life and add to the beauty of an already-beautiful creation, such as a flower. I capture shadows all day ..
I’ve been journaling or note taking for about 40 years. I dreamed of being an English major and an artist. As a kid I was introduced to collage in kindergarten and was hooked on pulp from that point on. The pencil always seemed like a magic wand and somehow, once I knew all the words and how to spell them, I would write and write and write. I discovered Mokeskines when faced with a 194 mile round trip daily commute for work. Sheila Bender’s book, “Writing in a Convertible with the Top Down,” I took quite literally and turned otherwise wasted time in traffic, a place to catch thoughts as I flew down the road. Aphorisms and short form poetry became my process for thought snipping on commutes. There is no rhyme or reason to most of my “journals.” There’s some kind os special love about a pen in hand, thumb-tacking a snippet of time on paper. This process seems less ephemeral than the thousands of Notes now contained in my phone. Why anyone would care what a crazed woman takes note of I’ve often thought? Joni Cole published one of my “day diaries” in the book “Water Color Diaries.” I just re-read as thought it was a good example of my note taking style. I knew I was writing to enter to her call for entries so a little more refined. She edited three books with day diaries entries. I had a small snippet in volume 2 is the series. In any event, leaving a trace is important. No matter how small. My journey includes many wonderful women, mostly, who peppered the path with useful books on writing things down. In fact, “Leaving A Trace” is a great book. I have stacks of books on journaling. Reading Roland Allen’s History of Thinking on Paper at moment and just learned the history of Moleskine’s which I had no idea of. I must have been among the first to buy into their marketing as I was always buying fountain pens and Crane notecards back in the day as well. Love your focus and you posts. Thanks. Taylor
I’ve developed my own little journaling routine: I sketch a quick doodle of something that stood out, write a single sentence summing up the day’s vibe, and note one small, unexpected thing that made me smile. It’s a simple practice, but it’s become my favourite way to wind down and reflect.
I have a 'favourite part of the day' journal and have kept it for over ten years. Even on terrible days (such as the day my dad died) I still can find a best part of that day.
I believe you would greatly enjoy “Silence in the Age of Noise” by Erling Kagge. He is a Norwegian explorer (walked alone to both South Pole and North Pole, climbed many “extreme” mountains, and developed some excellent philosophies around his experiences. He is delightful to read and, fortunately for us, written several books. Mine are all heavily underlined and “marginalianized.”
Great idea, simple and doable. I could see myself capturing similar things, only with my smartphone in a journaling app like Day One. Write a caption later.
Gosh, every newsletter is chock full of amazing stuff! I'm now simultaneously listening to the Tom Johnson video, ordering Observations and imagining a hooked rug version of my dog. :)
I’ve adopted Austin Kleon’s logbook this year, which serves a similar purpose as this does (though there’s a bit more to it) and I’ve enjoyed the heck out of it. I, too have never been able to stick to a journaling practice, so we’ll see how it goes, but I think these sort of short form entries work well because the pressure is off. You’re just jotting down things that happen, things around you, etc. without getting stuck in the creativity of it all. It’s been a good way to ground me in the present day and moment.
I do this with photos on my iPhone. When I see something beautiful or unusual I capture that image. Later I create albums— roses, waterfalls, family. Sometimes when I am distressed I go back and immerse myself in these beautiful photos and the days they recall. It helps.
This is pretty much my approach to photos. If I would turn to a walking partner and say "wow, look at that!" I take a picture. A couple of times I have been in a hurry or stressed and skipped a picture.. I always end up regretting it. So now my mantra is Take the Picture.
Loved this post!
I love journaling myself and am doing 3 things on a daily basis: I make a picture of the day, I write down my ‘story of the day’ (the highlights that happened and I want to remember) and the things I’m grateful for that day.
Why I loved this post so much, is because it directly inspired me to add one more to my daily writings: the observations of the day. I’ve started with this yesterday and immediately noticed that I’m writing down very different things than with the other topics. I’m noticing in a different way.
Thank you for inspiring me! It means a lot!
Oh that is awesome, thank you!
Dani Shapiro shared an excellent exercise in her book, “Still Writing” (GREAT audiobook): Take a page and divide it into quadrants. Label the first quad “I Saw.” Label the second quad “I Heard.” Label the third quad “I Did.” Then label the fourth quad “Doodle.” List salient moments from your day in each quad, then draw a doodle! Even though I suck at doodling, the doodles I’ve made are special, and reflect my experience of a given day. It’s a great practice!
Interesting, thank you!
I notice shadows. They are captivating: how they change over the course of the day, how they give dimension to life and add to the beauty of an already-beautiful creation, such as a flower. I capture shadows all day ..
I’ve been journaling or note taking for about 40 years. I dreamed of being an English major and an artist. As a kid I was introduced to collage in kindergarten and was hooked on pulp from that point on. The pencil always seemed like a magic wand and somehow, once I knew all the words and how to spell them, I would write and write and write. I discovered Mokeskines when faced with a 194 mile round trip daily commute for work. Sheila Bender’s book, “Writing in a Convertible with the Top Down,” I took quite literally and turned otherwise wasted time in traffic, a place to catch thoughts as I flew down the road. Aphorisms and short form poetry became my process for thought snipping on commutes. There is no rhyme or reason to most of my “journals.” There’s some kind os special love about a pen in hand, thumb-tacking a snippet of time on paper. This process seems less ephemeral than the thousands of Notes now contained in my phone. Why anyone would care what a crazed woman takes note of I’ve often thought? Joni Cole published one of my “day diaries” in the book “Water Color Diaries.” I just re-read as thought it was a good example of my note taking style. I knew I was writing to enter to her call for entries so a little more refined. She edited three books with day diaries entries. I had a small snippet in volume 2 is the series. In any event, leaving a trace is important. No matter how small. My journey includes many wonderful women, mostly, who peppered the path with useful books on writing things down. In fact, “Leaving A Trace” is a great book. I have stacks of books on journaling. Reading Roland Allen’s History of Thinking on Paper at moment and just learned the history of Moleskine’s which I had no idea of. I must have been among the first to buy into their marketing as I was always buying fountain pens and Crane notecards back in the day as well. Love your focus and you posts. Thanks. Taylor
Read this and decided to add a jot to my journal :) I was writing short daily entries but had stopped.
I’ve developed my own little journaling routine: I sketch a quick doodle of something that stood out, write a single sentence summing up the day’s vibe, and note one small, unexpected thing that made me smile. It’s a simple practice, but it’s become my favourite way to wind down and reflect.
Ah very nice -- thank you!
I have a 'favourite part of the day' journal and have kept it for over ten years. Even on terrible days (such as the day my dad died) I still can find a best part of that day.
That's a really great practice. Thank you!
I believe you would greatly enjoy “Silence in the Age of Noise” by Erling Kagge. He is a Norwegian explorer (walked alone to both South Pole and North Pole, climbed many “extreme” mountains, and developed some excellent philosophies around his experiences. He is delightful to read and, fortunately for us, written several books. Mine are all heavily underlined and “marginalianized.”
Sounds great! Thanks!
This, I need to be doing.
Thank you _ I will use this in my Yoga classes.
Great idea, simple and doable. I could see myself capturing similar things, only with my smartphone in a journaling app like Day One. Write a caption later.
Thank you for sharing!
Ah, thank you.
It's less daunting to just write a phrase.
Gosh, every newsletter is chock full of amazing stuff! I'm now simultaneously listening to the Tom Johnson video, ordering Observations and imagining a hooked rug version of my dog. :)
That's too much multitasking lol!
I’ve adopted Austin Kleon’s logbook this year, which serves a similar purpose as this does (though there’s a bit more to it) and I’ve enjoyed the heck out of it. I, too have never been able to stick to a journaling practice, so we’ll see how it goes, but I think these sort of short form entries work well because the pressure is off. You’re just jotting down things that happen, things around you, etc. without getting stuck in the creativity of it all. It’s been a good way to ground me in the present day and moment.
Austin has amazing journal game! Nobody better. But yes, find your way to what works for you