I love journals, I love the whole idea, I buy them obsessively - but I am a TERRIBLE journaler. I want to be a journaler so badly. Honestly, one of the great regrets of my life is that I have not kept a daily diary. I could start right now! But I won't. I spent seven months traveling last year and kept a journal for about the first three weeks and then slowly stopped. I traveled again for about three months this year and promised myself that the same thing wouldn't happen again - but of course it did. I'm writing about my travels now in a blog, and I find that happy memories come back to me slowly. I'm sure there are many more that are lost, but I can honestly say that while I'm traveling I appreciate every moment, 100%, and so I'm ok with that. Like you, I take photos obsessively and count on that as my memory device.
I love this! I journal every weekend it’s become a Saturday/Sunday morning ritual with a coffee in bed. As you say it’s great to look back in the same time a year or 2 previously.
I’m about to embark on a big adventure across the world, starting in New Zealand and I’m inspired by your idea. I want to make sure I record moments every day and capture what I see and feel.
Now I have subscribed I’m looking forward to reading through your posts and following you 😊x
"I'm not thinking about creating a souvenir for my future self or a travel guide for a friend. I'm thinking about how early I can go to bed without embarrassing myself. Is 7:30 pm too early??"
Had me laughing out loud. Hilarious & honest, the best of Debbie in this post!
Mmm. Lovely. I have a practice of 100-word prose poems (in fits and starts, but they add up). I also keep a journal for writings, quotes from others, fragments of new poems, poems by others, photographs, postcards, images, stuff I'm working out, general ideas etc etc.
Here you are, Debbie. Pretty much at random, and a year or three old. Hope you like it:
'January 22nd
The dogs open the kitchen door and come and find me in bed, too early. Outside, the day is now white, and the new robin is waiting in the dark, on the doorstep, for food. Gradually the birds come in, the bullfinch flapping to balance on the snowcrusts. Bran, who loves frost as much as birdfood, bounces and skids in the courtyard. Now a young fox creeps down from the field – still one at least here then, despite the hunt and the absence of rabbits. 1 in 7 species is endangered now in GB. Everything breaks my heart these days.'
Oh thank you Debbie! And I love your one-line idea. I shall hold that close. Gosh – quite a challenge to write just one line – I'd be bound to think it needs to be GOOD...
I love, love, love your ideas! Brilliant. A one line journal, photographs—maybe start a private IG account for all your travel shots?
I am inspired. Thank you.
"Around the time the pandemic started in early 2020, I began keeping a one-line-a-day five-year diary. I’m not sure why I started it then but once I got going, I couldn’t stop. I’m now finishing Year 4, with only one year to go to complete the book. It’s nothing special."
It is special.
It's a way to acknowledge, to keep track, to remember, to cherish
And not too much.
Just on week 11 of The Artist's Way and I'm a tad exhausted. All that writing, all the outpouring, all the nonsense from inside my head to witness and recoil from!
One line a day sounds more do-able - pithy, poetic, even.
Suzy, I’m a fan of The Artist’s Way and scrawled Morning Pages for a while. I know what you mean about “all the nonsense.” Amazing what’s inside our heads!
I've journaled for decades and last year started a daily 5 line diary but it didn't last. I'm not sure why but I was unable to consistently commit to it. I don't think I would be great at a travel diary either. I do, however, see the benefit of consistent daily writing to sharpen the skills and I love the aspect of having a record to refer back to.
Donna, it was the pandemic that got me into the “every single day.” I started the diary in 2020 in Feb - March as the lockdown began tho I don’t remember why I got the journal just then. I numbered every day of the pandemic for over a year. (Later I went back and jotted down a few words for each day of Jan. ‘20 just to make it complete). I probably should have made that clearer!
I loved this piece, and oh how I love journals! The line a day is so fun to keep and perfect for travel. I find I am too tired at the end of a day of adventuring to properly record events so my dyi travel journal is a line per day per (unlined) page and then later, once back home, I glue in maps or photos or ticket stubs, postcards etc and fill in any memories. Mostly though my phone camera doubles as a photo journal.
YES I have a one line a day too. Although I often end up having to catch up ever 3/4 days. You are totally right about the magic of looking back 2/3 years later!
Love this post! I have been using a 5 year journal that has a prompt for several years. Into my second book with 2 years to finish. But I like the idea of a more free form with including where I am the 1-10 that you mentioned. Travel one, oh boy I always have good intentions too. The few times I have made it word I have been so delighted with myself and to look back. I have a long trip next year that I will want to document it specifically. Trying to think of how best to do it and this is spurring me on. As always, enjoy your writing that gets me thinking
Maybe do both?? The quick daily diary and then a few longer observations for the travel journal. I love your fb posts about how to pack for long trips in a small suitcase. Still trying… !
There’s a win in the trying! I like that idea a lot, quick daily and longer on the travel. Have to find a great way to do it that packs well. Maybe perusing moleskins again!
While he lived, my husband, the photojournalist, took thousands of pictures and each one told a story. When we traveled, the first thing he did the month back from the trip was to produce a book, about the trip. Days and days of photo selction, photo editing, writing, publishing--a printed and bound book where pictures tell the story. These are in my library now--a shelf of books which people prefer to all of the thousands of other books they could pull out and enjoy. My library is full of great light and recliners, too--almost as great as going to a book store.
Georgia, I love the image of all your husband's photo books lined up on a shelf in your library. I know how much work it takes to put together each one. What wonderful memories.
Debbie... you can help me frame articles about where After 60 intersects with the experiences of gifted professionals and communicators. Get the Free level here https://georgiapatrick.substack.com/ and read some back issues and next issues. I have a tingly sensation that you can help me write about the overlay of age and professional expertise with the lifelong asset of a brain that performs differently from most others. Maybe you can help with the angle of brain health and how that affects after 60 options?
OMG, Debbie, it’s like you were in my head when you wrote this. It’s EXACTLY what happens to me when I travel. Although I take photos (too many!) unless I put them into digital albums right away, I lose track and forget where (or why) I took the photo. The closest I’ve come to a travel journal is a Moleskin small enough to fit in my purse...but again, writing in it was inconsistent and there were huge gaps. Thank you for writing this and sharing your one-line-a-day journal. I’m right there with you, writing in it and flossing my teeth! 🩶
I literally obsess over the selection of small and pocket-sized Moleskins. Which will be the magical one that I’ll tuck into my bag… ?? luckily, I’m not completely foolish so I usually don’t buy it. Thank you K.R. for this wonderful comment.
So appreciate your writing about this today, Debbie. I started journaling (often one line a day, sometimes many pages when the muse struck) as une étudiante à l'étranger à Strasbourg, France. My notes (increasingly in French as my immersion in the country and language deepened) from that time are mostly observations about such mundane but exciting novelties as going for a café at the patisserie around the corner every morning, walking across town to do my laundry in a laundromat only to be caught in a deluge on the way home, or a pique-nique en plein air with des amis sympas. And homesickness. Also the wonders of traveling, of finding new ways of seeing and being in the world.
I loved your reference to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, Debbie. It describes to a "t" that sensation of how language shapes thinking and expression, and influences how our views on life. I'm sure my increasing mastery of French back then re-formed my own world view.
It also helped me become a writer--first in French--because it is so structured, and its rhythms (l'accent est toujours à la dernière syllabe), and literary romanticism suited all the angst of my first adulting adventure abroad. Writing in English proved less satisfying, with its irregularities and unpredictable rhythms.
And my "year abroad" journaling habit (along with Morning Pages) has grown into a lifelong habit of reflection-helping make a little sense of the chaos in my head and dampening the chaos in the world. It is a meditative practice--when I remember to do it.
I think your Substack may simply be a digital form of journaling to share your own late-adulting adventures with your readers, Debbie. An invitation for all of us to share reflections about growing [b]older and (on peut espérer) wiser.
Debbie: I LOVE THIS! I have the same damn problem with travel journals, and so like you I end up taking photos -- and thank heaven for that. I am inspired by your five-year diary project...I've actually looked at those a number of times as something I MIGHT be able to do. BTW, even though we are the same age, I think of you as somewhere in your thirties......;-)....PS wonderful writing. I wanted to make that clear.
Oh Mina, you've made my day! In case those reading this don't know, we're both obsessed with Paris. You are LUCKY enough to be living there and you're also a photographer. I absolutely love your almost daily Insta snaps as you walk around the city.
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/e_trim:10:white/e_trim:10:transparent/h_72,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fb939748d-5d80-4d0f-867c-2ed252ac633c_1344x256.png)
![[B]OLD AGE with Debbie Weil](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/w_36,h_36,c_fill,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep,g_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdb1d7636-a0e5-44ef-846d-a6df558eff16_1280x1280.png)
I love journals, I love the whole idea, I buy them obsessively - but I am a TERRIBLE journaler. I want to be a journaler so badly. Honestly, one of the great regrets of my life is that I have not kept a daily diary. I could start right now! But I won't. I spent seven months traveling last year and kept a journal for about the first three weeks and then slowly stopped. I traveled again for about three months this year and promised myself that the same thing wouldn't happen again - but of course it did. I'm writing about my travels now in a blog, and I find that happy memories come back to me slowly. I'm sure there are many more that are lost, but I can honestly say that while I'm traveling I appreciate every moment, 100%, and so I'm ok with that. Like you, I take photos obsessively and count on that as my memory device.
Jodi, love your comment that the happy memories come back slowly… but best of all is being in the moment and appreciating it.
I love this! I journal every weekend it’s become a Saturday/Sunday morning ritual with a coffee in bed. As you say it’s great to look back in the same time a year or 2 previously.
I’m about to embark on a big adventure across the world, starting in New Zealand and I’m inspired by your idea. I want to make sure I record moments every day and capture what I see and feel.
Now I have subscribed I’m looking forward to reading through your posts and following you 😊x
Thank you Julie! Likewise, I look forward to hearing more about your adventure.
"I'm not thinking about creating a souvenir for my future self or a travel guide for a friend. I'm thinking about how early I can go to bed without embarrassing myself. Is 7:30 pm too early??"
Had me laughing out loud. Hilarious & honest, the best of Debbie in this post!
JR, you know me too well…
Mmm. Lovely. I have a practice of 100-word prose poems (in fits and starts, but they add up). I also keep a journal for writings, quotes from others, fragments of new poems, poems by others, photographs, postcards, images, stuff I'm working out, general ideas etc etc.
Roselle, love these ideas - esp. the 100-word prose poems. Can you share one with us?
Here you are, Debbie. Pretty much at random, and a year or three old. Hope you like it:
'January 22nd
The dogs open the kitchen door and come and find me in bed, too early. Outside, the day is now white, and the new robin is waiting in the dark, on the doorstep, for food. Gradually the birds come in, the bullfinch flapping to balance on the snowcrusts. Bran, who loves frost as much as birdfood, bounces and skids in the courtyard. Now a young fox creeps down from the field – still one at least here then, despite the hunt and the absence of rabbits. 1 in 7 species is endangered now in GB. Everything breaks my heart these days.'
Roselle Angwin
this is wonderful!
Oh thank you Debbie! And I love your one-line idea. I shall hold that close. Gosh – quite a challenge to write just one line – I'd be bound to think it needs to be GOOD...
I love, love, love your ideas! Brilliant. A one line journal, photographs—maybe start a private IG account for all your travel shots?
I am inspired. Thank you.
"Around the time the pandemic started in early 2020, I began keeping a one-line-a-day five-year diary. I’m not sure why I started it then but once I got going, I couldn’t stop. I’m now finishing Year 4, with only one year to go to complete the book. It’s nothing special."
It is special.
It's a way to acknowledge, to keep track, to remember, to cherish
And not too much.
Just on week 11 of The Artist's Way and I'm a tad exhausted. All that writing, all the outpouring, all the nonsense from inside my head to witness and recoil from!
One line a day sounds more do-able - pithy, poetic, even.
I'm going to try it.
Thanks for your idea.
Suzy, I’m a fan of The Artist’s Way and scrawled Morning Pages for a while. I know what you mean about “all the nonsense.” Amazing what’s inside our heads!
It is amazing indeed! 😂
I bought a one line diary today - inspired by your post - thank you
I've journaled for decades and last year started a daily 5 line diary but it didn't last. I'm not sure why but I was unable to consistently commit to it. I don't think I would be great at a travel diary either. I do, however, see the benefit of consistent daily writing to sharpen the skills and I love the aspect of having a record to refer back to.
Donna, it was the pandemic that got me into the “every single day.” I started the diary in 2020 in Feb - March as the lockdown began tho I don’t remember why I got the journal just then. I numbered every day of the pandemic for over a year. (Later I went back and jotted down a few words for each day of Jan. ‘20 just to make it complete). I probably should have made that clearer!
I loved this piece, and oh how I love journals! The line a day is so fun to keep and perfect for travel. I find I am too tired at the end of a day of adventuring to properly record events so my dyi travel journal is a line per day per (unlined) page and then later, once back home, I glue in maps or photos or ticket stubs, postcards etc and fill in any memories. Mostly though my phone camera doubles as a photo journal.
I like this idea - keep the postcards, ticket stubs, etc. And glue them on later!
YES I have a one line a day too. Although I often end up having to catch up ever 3/4 days. You are totally right about the magic of looking back 2/3 years later!
Lucy, thank you for becoming a paid subscriber just now. You absolutely made my day!
Love your topics and look forward to getting to know you better xxx
Love this post! I have been using a 5 year journal that has a prompt for several years. Into my second book with 2 years to finish. But I like the idea of a more free form with including where I am the 1-10 that you mentioned. Travel one, oh boy I always have good intentions too. The few times I have made it word I have been so delighted with myself and to look back. I have a long trip next year that I will want to document it specifically. Trying to think of how best to do it and this is spurring me on. As always, enjoy your writing that gets me thinking
Maybe do both?? The quick daily diary and then a few longer observations for the travel journal. I love your fb posts about how to pack for long trips in a small suitcase. Still trying… !
There’s a win in the trying! I like that idea a lot, quick daily and longer on the travel. Have to find a great way to do it that packs well. Maybe perusing moleskins again!
While he lived, my husband, the photojournalist, took thousands of pictures and each one told a story. When we traveled, the first thing he did the month back from the trip was to produce a book, about the trip. Days and days of photo selction, photo editing, writing, publishing--a printed and bound book where pictures tell the story. These are in my library now--a shelf of books which people prefer to all of the thousands of other books they could pull out and enjoy. My library is full of great light and recliners, too--almost as great as going to a book store.
Georgia, I love the image of all your husband's photo books lined up on a shelf in your library. I know how much work it takes to put together each one. What wonderful memories.
Debbie... you can help me frame articles about where After 60 intersects with the experiences of gifted professionals and communicators. Get the Free level here https://georgiapatrick.substack.com/ and read some back issues and next issues. I have a tingly sensation that you can help me write about the overlay of age and professional expertise with the lifelong asset of a brain that performs differently from most others. Maybe you can help with the angle of brain health and how that affects after 60 options?
wow, let me think about this! Your phrase “the angle of brain health” is very provocative.
OMG, Debbie, it’s like you were in my head when you wrote this. It’s EXACTLY what happens to me when I travel. Although I take photos (too many!) unless I put them into digital albums right away, I lose track and forget where (or why) I took the photo. The closest I’ve come to a travel journal is a Moleskin small enough to fit in my purse...but again, writing in it was inconsistent and there were huge gaps. Thank you for writing this and sharing your one-line-a-day journal. I’m right there with you, writing in it and flossing my teeth! 🩶
I literally obsess over the selection of small and pocket-sized Moleskins. Which will be the magical one that I’ll tuck into my bag… ?? luckily, I’m not completely foolish so I usually don’t buy it. Thank you K.R. for this wonderful comment.
So appreciate your writing about this today, Debbie. I started journaling (often one line a day, sometimes many pages when the muse struck) as une étudiante à l'étranger à Strasbourg, France. My notes (increasingly in French as my immersion in the country and language deepened) from that time are mostly observations about such mundane but exciting novelties as going for a café at the patisserie around the corner every morning, walking across town to do my laundry in a laundromat only to be caught in a deluge on the way home, or a pique-nique en plein air with des amis sympas. And homesickness. Also the wonders of traveling, of finding new ways of seeing and being in the world.
I loved your reference to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, Debbie. It describes to a "t" that sensation of how language shapes thinking and expression, and influences how our views on life. I'm sure my increasing mastery of French back then re-formed my own world view.
It also helped me become a writer--first in French--because it is so structured, and its rhythms (l'accent est toujours à la dernière syllabe), and literary romanticism suited all the angst of my first adulting adventure abroad. Writing in English proved less satisfying, with its irregularities and unpredictable rhythms.
And my "year abroad" journaling habit (along with Morning Pages) has grown into a lifelong habit of reflection-helping make a little sense of the chaos in my head and dampening the chaos in the world. It is a meditative practice--when I remember to do it.
I think your Substack may simply be a digital form of journaling to share your own late-adulting adventures with your readers, Debbie. An invitation for all of us to share reflections about growing [b]older and (on peut espérer) wiser.
Robin, this is so lovely and thoughtful — and adds so much to my words. Interesting that you’ve heard about the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis (I referred to it in an earlier article https://debbieweil.substack.com/p/behind-the-scenes-with-french-debbie). It was new to me!
Debbie: I LOVE THIS! I have the same damn problem with travel journals, and so like you I end up taking photos -- and thank heaven for that. I am inspired by your five-year diary project...I've actually looked at those a number of times as something I MIGHT be able to do. BTW, even though we are the same age, I think of you as somewhere in your thirties......;-)....PS wonderful writing. I wanted to make that clear.
Oh Mina, you've made my day! In case those reading this don't know, we're both obsessed with Paris. You are LUCKY enough to be living there and you're also a photographer. I absolutely love your almost daily Insta snaps as you walk around the city.