A few days ago a blogger whom I read faithfully recalled the reason she blogs: "To live freely in writing." I've been turning that phrase over in my mind ever since.
My blogging has ebbed and flowed, and it's definitely ebbing right now. I know that I don't feel particularly free here to say every single thing I think. Sometimes my ideas aren't fully thought out, and other times they need to stay private for any of a variety of reasons. So blogging for me isn't really a place to live freely.
But I used to keep a journal, a habit I developed in earnest after while reading The Artist's Way several years ago. (This is one of the most important books I've ever read, by the way.) And the whole point there is to live freely, radically so, in your writing. By loosening up on the page, you can allow yourself to loosen up in other areas of your creative life as well. It can be life-changing.
"To live freely in writing." What better place to start than in my spiral notebooks? I know from experience that my mulling, praying, and working through three pages every morning leads to a more productive day, and a more creative day.
And that will lead to more ideas that are fully thought out, and more connections in my life that I see, and more prayers prayed and answered.
As I get my children ready to go back to school I think I see the way through this sad season* for me. I intend to live freely in writing, on the written page, in longhand, and then bring that to the other areas of my life that have been neglected lately. A welcome change, I think.
*School starting has been the hardest time of year for me ever since I've had kids in school! I love the freedom of summer, and I treasure having all of my kids running in and out of the house. I dread the day. Committing these feelings to paper is one of the best ways for me to deal with it, and I am glad that Ann Althouse reminded me.
1 comment:
I have noticed, that since I have become intentional about my thoughts and putting them in writing, my life has changed - and I think for the better. I know this will be a hard few weeks for you... perhaps with some pretty noteboooks and a comfy chair in a sunny spot you will write some marvelous things! Don't forget to blog though, too -- I like reading your thoughts! ;-)
Post a Comment