The relationship for me between journaling and poetry is a fluid one.
I start most mornings with a few pages of free-hand writing. Often this is purely journaling, sometimes the sort of journaling I’ll throw away immediately afterwards, or else use to help add some intentionality to my day. It’s a sort of morning-pages practise but one that adapts daily to my needs. It very well might be three pages (at least) of mind-clearing, flowing scrawl. But if necessary, it’ll be me considering my priorities and using the page for some planning of my day. Or it might be about letting go of something in particular that is on my mind or getting in my way, and I might combine a shorter journal with some meditation.
And at other times, it will be very creative. Poetic noticings. Creative descriptions or ideas. A (very) short story of something that happened the day before or I’ll explore a theme or whisp of an idea for a poem in a little more detail. I really like it when this sort of writing turns up. I don’t throw these pages away. I save them to mine later. Honestly, I rarely do go back and dig through them. But I like to think the words are still floating around ready to be plucked from the air at just the right moment. And now and again I will be found cursing as I pull out piles of notebooks from under the bed to find that passage I am 100% certain I wrote once about, I dunno, a forbidden sweet (!) that was definitely the best thing I will EVER write about…sweets.
In my journaling workshops I often use poetry; to set the scene or close a session but also when we are doing more self-reflective writing or to enhance other exercises. I spent most of my career pre-children in HR - I designed and delivered leadership development. Funnily enough, in that old corporate world poetry never surfaced as a technique to be used for goal setting or effective communication. Ironically (in hindsight) rarely did any of the more creative workshops we ran actually feature the arts. And yet I think poetry is an incredible way to tap into our inner desires and dreams. And it is one of THE most impactful forms of communication.
I wouldn’t want to insinuate that such purposes enhance its value. I fear that defining it in these terms might tarnish its magic. For me poetry contains all that makes us human, allows us to connect with other humans, and I quite like that I don’t exactly know how any of this happens. It’s mysterious, powerful and kinda sacred.
But I do think journaling (including self-development style journaling) and poetry are exceptionally good bedfellows. It is through journaling that I know many of the women in that community have fallen in love with poetry. Because both are soulful acts. Because both focus on expression via words. Because both can be cathartic and healing. Because both bring the unsaid to the surface. Because both can be meditative, lead to understanding, playful, curious.
Of course they are not the same thing. A stream of free-writing is not (necessarily?) a poem. But they are friends. They are from the same neighbourhood at least. They might be ordering very different coffees but they are stood in the same coffee shop so may well both understand that the door requires a good shove, or know where the (lesser known) best seats are. In my opinion, journaling can be a way into poetry without diminishing the craft, expertise and skill that poets require. Journaling can be a great poetry source, poetry cauldron. And reading or listening to poetry can provide a great spring board into the sort of journaling that leaves you taken aback. That helps your pen start travelling towards that place you’ve always dreamt of living or an understanding of why you can’t stop thinking about chicken soup (still stuck on last weeks food theme!)
And that’s just one of many reasons why I am in love with both. Why I enthuse so readily about the benefits of both. And why sometimes, I can’t separate the two out that easily at all.
Your Writing Prompt for this Week:
I run a second Substack (it was actually my first) called Journaling Wild. It isn’t purely about journaling (it’s my personal ‘blog’ about feminism/parenting/life/my own poetry) but for my paid subscribers journaling does make up the majority of the content.
I have borrowed a prompt from over there this week. I know I have a couple of paid subscribers to both - hopefully you will forgive me this one off steal.
This week I’m inviting you to write a list poem containing your personal, ‘Success Metrics’ (what your definition of ‘success’ looks like). Here’s my attempt:
This poem originated from me reviewing my goals for the remainder of the year. It kind of expanded from there into a more general list of ‘success metrics’ but, whatever. I started with some free-hand journaling around what I felt success looked and felt like to me. What were the things I wanted to be saying. What were the things that actually mattered.
Next I pulled bits out of that writing to make a list. I questioned each point. Got curious. Played around with my list. Crossed some stuff off.
Finally I tried to use that list and turn it into a poem. Tried to show not tell. I thought about my form. Did it ‘sound’ right when read out loud? Could I use more imagery. Where was I going with it? I like to write poems not knowing the ending. Sometimes an idea for an ending will arrive too early and I’ll quickly jot it down somewhere and then try to ignore it so that I can keep writing with my eyes wide open. Considered my punctuation. Etc. Etc. You know the rest. The hard work!
I am not showing you what a good job looks like BTW. I’m not gonna be holding up one of my own poems for that anytime soon. And I’m actually still not 100% sure I’m done with editing this one. But rather, explaining my own process of trying to craft something decent incase it’s helpful.
As always, if you’d prefer to take this whole writing prompt in a different direction then please do. Who says it has to be a list?! You could just do a spot of journaling first and see where you end up, ha.
Nelly x
Your Success Metrics poem inspired me immediately! Hopefully you don't mind me posting up today rather than waiting. It just all worked out nicely, which is the best type of inspiration. Thanking you kindly! :)
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What's mine is yours.
Who thought that could be selfish?
I have it all—
Correction, had.
Now I have it all
With caveats.
What's mine is mine
And you get to share,
Just as you share yours.
Rosemary and thyme
Joined by the rest. Not forgetting the spices too.
My banquet of success, an inviting and informal affair,
But with the courses muddled up.
Where did the pudding go?
Why is the starter over there?
How did three different mains appear?
It left me stuffed,
Empty,
Confused.
So I cleared away the spread that took a lifetime,
Ready to pick a ripe fruit or two from the tree.
What's mine is yours has always been the truth
For all of us.
Not all the meals are good,
Yet the true magic is in the company we keep.
I raise a toast to our future success.
I love this idea. Especially the idea of reflection at mid year. I know life has changed since I looked at what I’d like out of 2024 so I won’t get all the things I would have hoped in January but this will focus my mind on to make most of where I am now. Looking forward to seeing what everyone writes.