Writing it All Down
I believe in writing it all down. Since freshman year of high school I’ve been keeping a journal. It’s a personal account of my life, starting from a point when school dances were life changing, and being caught with your parents in public was life ruining.
While some of my earlier entries make for a more entertaining read, recently I find myself writing in a slightly different direction.
As a senior at Penn State on the brink of graduation, I find that I use my writing as an outlet for anything and everything on my mind.
Rather than keeping written records of every encounter with a cute boy –though I still mention the really cute ones—I tend to write about dreams, aspirations, and clever ideas for practically anything. Things like leading a high-school choir someday and teaching my students wild arrangements of Queen songs. Or ideas to improve the coffee shop where I work. No matter where I am or what I’m thinking, I can flip to a blank page and fill it with thoughts to have forever.
I joke with my friends sometimes, saying they “made the journal today.” And they probably did. The people I care about are littered throughout the pages of my journal. They may never read it, but I like to know I’ve recorded their impact on my life.
Now, I don’t expect my journal to be published, but I wouldn’t be opposed if someone wanted to put it out there. Who am I to turn down the opportunity to have my writing heard by the world?
I find inspiration in other people who believe in writing it all down. I remember reading “The Diary of Anne Frank”, a book that almost every student gets assigned in school. I was in seventh grade, and I was blown away. A young girl’s thoughts and experiences helped document the Holocaust. Decades later we’re using her words to learn. That’s a concept I find truly inspiring.
I study journalism so I can record events for future generations. While writing newspaper articles is different than writing with no boundaries, the concept is still there. Writing matters. I try to look at assignments not as an obligation, but as a chance to show people the world from my perspective, through my words.
I write everyday. I write in my journal. I write on napkins. I write on my hand. Writing calms me, it motivates me, and it helps me to realize my thoughts are important.
Even if my words are never read by the masses, they will always mean something to me, and that’s enough to keep my pen moving. I believe in writing it all down.
Comments
Susie
Hanover
Jun 12, 2010
Ah yes, I’ve been writing it all down for a long time. It’s a wildly satisfying life practice—and I love the low cost. I agree with what you wrote about writing as calming and motivating. My journals (aside from my dog) are the proverbial box I would take with me in case of fire. I’m teaching a journal writing course for creativity “leaps” at Common Ground on the Hill at McDaniel College the first week of July. www.commongroundonthehill.org.
Congratulations on your graduation!
Peggy Braun
Pittsburgh, PA
Jun 13, 2010
You inspire me to ‘write it all down”. I have gotten out of the practice of writing my thoughts. My current writing seems to be limited to emails. But when you said that writing calms you and especially when you said your words will always mean something to you, well you compel me. Your essay brings me back to my youth, when writing your thoughts in a journal was crucial to survival. Thank you for reminding me….
I look forward to reading what you write down next!
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