Do you have a bunch of unfinished journals haunting you?

[Elizabeth Potts Weinstein]

As I was reading Sandy's book, I totally identified with her description of all her unfinished journals. I have a ton of those. The feel like failure -- like I had started something and not keep up, just made a few days or week of entries and failed to follow through.

I went out and purchased an adorable new journal, with a lime green cover & flap that holds it closed, unlined. The perfect journal for me (and it was the last one, and on clearance!). But I had a passing feeling like I did not deserve it since I had not followed through with those other journals.

Now with my new journal I'm going to finish it. It may take me 6 months or 30 years -- and whatever it takes is fine. I don't have to write in it every day ... or even every month ... or even every year! And that's okay - I will still receive tons of benefits and have a record of the passing of time; however long it takes. :)

[Sandy Grason]

Yay! You got it! I just finished a really beautiful journal that started on June 9, 2007. It seemed to contain *alot* of notes from phone meetings, lists, quotes from books I read and most journal entries were done on a plane or from a hotel room- that's funny.

I guess that's the only time I have to take a breath and reflect. :-)

Big Hugs!!!!
sandy

[Claudia Blanton]

Funny, while I have quite a bit of unfinished journals, I do not think of them as abandoned or as something I did not complete. I really think, whenever I move on to another part of my life, another stage, or learning experience, I give myself the freedom to let go off what is no longer needed. And at times it is a particular journal that came through and aided me earlier.
It is a part of moving on, a part of release for me, and while I glance at them at times, the feeling of gratitude comes more to mind, as if I would be thinking of a friend that now lives somewhere else, but I still look at the picture and reminisce in the memory.
Also, the pressure of finishing takes away some of the freedom, of the joy of being able to move into whatever direction I feel is right at the now that I am in. I am changing, and learning so much , that standing still is not an option, so that this will reflect in my style of keeping journals, or redecorating my blogs and sites, or moving onto another project, when I have given all that I can, or all that I am meant to give to it.
Hope that makes sense to others. More importantly this way of living and writing makes sense to me.

Peace and Love

Claudia

[Sandy Grason]

Claudia,
I totally get this. When I look at my journals, I can tell you, just by looking at the cover, what was going on in my life when I bought it, and most likely, I can describe alot of the entries....

Different journals represent different moods throughout my life. some have this peaceful, asian, zen theme, some are really big- like big, blank sketch pads, and lately, I've been buying very 'sassy' journals, with fun & fabulous covers. They make me happy. ;-)

[Esmeralda]

I feel the same way Claudia. I have many journals/altered books started, all of them have themes, but all are an expression of my inner life at various times and from changing perspectives.And I am in no rush to 'finish' them b/c they are an ongoing process of discovery, reflection and deepening. If you look at it metaphorically, the journals are like the diffrent aspects of yourself (or your aspects, your archetypes, or inner 'board of directors' as Julia Cameron calls them).
They are a reflection of your inner (and outer) journey - if they reflect back 'failure' that might be a prompt to reframe what success really is.
For me they are a creative frontier that is there when I need to create meaning at a 'deeper than intellect' level.

[Elizabeth Potts Weinstein]

Just finished my journal! It's the first time I finished one, v. cool. :) I used it not only for traditional-type journaling, but also a place to record ideas, brainstorm, and even work on outlines for my new book (info on that coming later ...).

(it's dated 2/19/08 to 7/30/08)

[Ed Klimczak]

The comment on writing in your journal from a hotel room or a plane is so true. I do the most journaling from Disney World while on vacation. I think I have a drink and reflect on the past and plan the future. At home and work, I'm too caught up. As Tony Robbins says, "You can't get caught up!" But we all do, I think, at one time or another.