love how you treated and said good bye to your words. I treasure my great anna journals so write my journals knowing they are a legacy others may read someday. and I am honest and raw in them. I bare my soul, tears and heart there, leave notes for my children there too. I think knowing ahead of time what you will do with your words makes all the difference.
I love the way you decided to handle your old journals, Linda! Transforming old paper with old words into fresh new paper ready for new words … this feels beautifully redemptive.
Beautiful reflection. I too have journals filled with words from my darkest days. I have thought about rereading them. I’ve thought about what will family think of these words that were so dark and troubling. I’m not sure I’m ready to part with them yet but I love how you have shared your own process of letting go and repurposing Thank you for sharing this!
What thoughtful compassionate honoring of your younger self and current you as well. Then to share those important words and pages back to the earth seems so poignant. Your description of the gloopy texture reminds me of paper mache’ … It feels like making pottery from earthen clay except in reverse. Whatever evolves: blessed be… 🙏🌀
All of our words has their place and time, even the ones that no longer serve us. I like how you have thoughtfully considered the "woman who endured" as you decide the best action for your old journals, and maybe even making something new...
Since I wrote this, I’ve poured water off the scraps twice to wash away more of the graphite from the pencil writing. Each time, I’ve had the same thought about washing the past away. ❤️😊
I can't tell you how much I love this — the thought you put into determining what to do with those journals honoured them and the woman who wrote them. Love, love, love! 💕
'I didn’t read any of the journals before beginning, but couldn’t help catch a glimpse of the odd phrase while I worked and my heart hurt for the woman who endured.'
And that's exactly why I said adios to my collection, too, Linda.
What’s past is past. Worth honouring that step on the journey but not getting stuck there in the process. Happy to know I’m in good company with this approach, Linda.😊
What a good solution you found. I look forward to hearing what you decide to do with your new recycled paper. I too have fought with the idea of leaving my piles of journals behind. I have torn certain pages out, but those were not whole books.
Right now, at age 70, I am using my old journals to write my family story for my kids and their kids. What I will do next, I do not know.
Good luck, and bravo for leaving the dark behind. Where it belongs.
love how you treated and said good bye to your words. I treasure my great anna journals so write my journals knowing they are a legacy others may read someday. and I am honest and raw in them. I bare my soul, tears and heart there, leave notes for my children there too. I think knowing ahead of time what you will do with your words makes all the difference.
There’s definitely a place for both types of journals, isn’t there? You’re leaving a beautiful legacy for you children and those who will follow them.
What a good idea! I have the same problem with old journals piling up. I'm anxious to hear how this turns out for you!
I love the way you decided to handle your old journals, Linda! Transforming old paper with old words into fresh new paper ready for new words … this feels beautifully redemptive.
Thank you, Lauren. It feels right. 😊
So appropriate and perfectly right. :)
Thanks, Marcia. 😊
Beautiful reflection. I too have journals filled with words from my darkest days. I have thought about rereading them. I’ve thought about what will family think of these words that were so dark and troubling. I’m not sure I’m ready to part with them yet but I love how you have shared your own process of letting go and repurposing Thank you for sharing this!
Thank the good Lord for, journals. They’ve accompanied so many of us through difficult times.
Brilliant and admirable, Linda! Thanks for sharing this. An inspiration in many ways.
Thank you, Debby.
What thoughtful compassionate honoring of your younger self and current you as well. Then to share those important words and pages back to the earth seems so poignant. Your description of the gloopy texture reminds me of paper mache’ … It feels like making pottery from earthen clay except in reverse. Whatever evolves: blessed be… 🙏🌀
Thank you, Beth. I’ve thought about making paper maché too.
All of our words has their place and time, even the ones that no longer serve us. I like how you have thoughtfully considered the "woman who endured" as you decide the best action for your old journals, and maybe even making something new...
Thank you, Lynn. 😊
I enjoyed reading your journey with your journals! I find it a delightful idea- washing yourself clean of the words is how it appears to me!
Since I wrote this, I’ve poured water off the scraps twice to wash away more of the graphite from the pencil writing. Each time, I’ve had the same thought about washing the past away. ❤️😊
I can't tell you how much I love this — the thought you put into determining what to do with those journals honoured them and the woman who wrote them. Love, love, love! 💕
Thanks so much, Patricia. ❤️
'I didn’t read any of the journals before beginning, but couldn’t help catch a glimpse of the odd phrase while I worked and my heart hurt for the woman who endured.'
And that's exactly why I said adios to my collection, too, Linda.
What’s past is past. Worth honouring that step on the journey but not getting stuck there in the process. Happy to know I’m in good company with this approach, Linda.😊
Linda, I'm so happy to be featuring your beautifully thoughtful words on PORCH this weekend ...
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/literary-chatter-porch-187
Thank you, Linda!
Such a beautiful way to redeem a difficult season! I keep learning from you, Linda—how to honor my whole self. Thank you.
What a good solution you found. I look forward to hearing what you decide to do with your new recycled paper. I too have fought with the idea of leaving my piles of journals behind. I have torn certain pages out, but those were not whole books.
Right now, at age 70, I am using my old journals to write my family story for my kids and their kids. What I will do next, I do not know.
Good luck, and bravo for leaving the dark behind. Where it belongs.