Journal Writing amidst the Madness
August 27, 2007 by Heather Goldsmith
Filed under Home & Living
The last few days have been busy ones for me. I haven’t been able to stick with my normal journal writing routines. Most afternoons I try to get my little guy down for a nap, have his dad keep an eye on him, and take to the shops. I can either grab a long black and sit and write in my journal, or sit in the car.
When this is out of the question I try to write in my journal with my little guy in a cafe. He’s pretty good about sitting and ‘drawing,’ as he calls what we’re doing. But there are days when he finds it hard to stay still. I’ve been going to takeaway food places because they have covered playgrounds for him to keep busy and dry.
Still, writing amidst the madness of one of those places can be challenging, too. I’ve had to contend with my son demanding my attention for each time he swooshes down the slide; high school students wagging class and playing on equipment not meant for kids their size; chatty toddlers who’d rather talk to me than play or eat their food; enthusiastic staff who clean up and knock drinks over; staff who don’t put lids on coffee cups correctly, I ended up wearing most of that coffee; and the chatter of other diners. I shouldn’t complain, but it can be a bit crazy trying to get a reflective thought in with all that going on.
Sometimes I just give up and play, talk, laugh, mop up, or whatever. But there are days when all this and more could go on and I’m busily writing in my journal.
Can you write amidst the madness, or do you need solitude and quiet for your journal writing sessions? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Heather
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Well, Heather, I need peace and quiet to write…not even music! I think I’m rather unusual. I’m ultra-sensitive to my environment.
I just started reading your blog a couple weeks ago; it’s been a great help with my journaling, so thanks!!
I write at bedtime; in bed. I need quiet (me too-not even music), and peace-the dog doesn’t need his t-ball tossed and I can’t see the dirty dishes, etc. It means no art journaling (nope, no glue in my bed!), but it does give me space to reflect on the day, write up a “to do” list sometimes, and think about whatever is good/bad/bothering me. I spend 5 minutes to a half hour writing; usually about a page but sometimes two-four pages. I could never find time during the day to journal!
Hi Olivia,
I don’t know. Seems most people need the quiet to think and reflect. I suppose I’ve learnt to journal wherever I can since I’ve had the little guy. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Edie,
Well, welcome to the blog. I hope you go through and look for whatever else you’re interested in, there’s stacks in this blog. I’m a firm believer in writing when you can. I also write a bit at night, but most times fall asleep on top of the page. Thanks for commenting.
I tend to need at least a modicum of stability and privacy for writing in a journal. I don’t need total peace and quiet, but I don’t think I could do what you do!
Hi Heather,
Lol, yeah, I used to think I had to have peace and quiet, until I hardly ever had any! Thanks for commenting.