Filling the Journal
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I used to have shelves full of journals and diaries with only the first few pages filled.
See, I always loved the concept of keeping a daily journal, but often fell short in the actual execution. I would write daily for a few days, weeks, maybe even months. But, inevitably, life would eventually get in the way of my new journaling habit.
Then, a few months, or even years later, I’d circle back. I’d remember how much I loved journaling, and how much I enjoyed re-reading my younger self’s thoughts. I’d pick back up the habit, but with a brand new journal, of course. After all, the previous one already had entries. It wasn’t fresh and new, for my fresh new habit that was sure to be a success this time around.
So, rather than picking up the partially used journal and embracing the date gap, I’d buy a new one. A literal new page. I didn’t want to carry my past failures into my new goal. So time for another journal.
And so the cycle continued.
Until now.
For the past few years, completing several pages of free-writing each morning has become part of my daily routine. I was first introduced to these morning pages after starting The Artist Way by Julia Cameron (which I highly recommend if you haven’t checked it out!). Writing these pages has become therapeutic for me. They’re a habit I hope to keep for years to come.
But, I haven’t been perfect with them. I miss days. Sometimes I miss weeks. A few times, I’ve stopped writing morning pages for months. Sounds like a familiar cycle, right? But, with one key difference this time around. When I pick the habit back up, I continue from where I left off. No new journal until the previous one is full. Instead of kicking myself for, once again, “failing” to keep my journaling habit strong, I simply move forward, happy to have found my way back to it.
I’m learning to be ok with imperfection. I don’t need to write religiously every single day. If I miss a day or two, it’s not worth beating myself up over. I don’t need to be the perfect journaler. I just need to show up, do my best in the moment (whatever that means) and move forward.
What metaphorical (or literal) half-filled journals are your closet? Where are you letting perfectionism convince you to start over again and again, rather than moving forward?
Hey, I’m Corrie! I’m an actor, voiceover artist, audiobook narrator and coach. I love sharing what I know to help my fellow creatives and entrepreneurs. If you’d like more content like this, subscribe to my newsletter below
Maybe it’s the first draft that never gets finished. Or the monologue that is never ready to perform. Or the footage that needs to be re-shot…again.
What action can you take to break that cycle today?
- Corrie
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