Starting Rituals
I’ve written about beginning a new journal before, but as I started another one this week, I thought I’d mention this again. For me I enjoy a simple process of pasting a small calendar to the front page, numbering my journal and stating my goals for the duration of that journal. I like to use stamps, my favourite colour ink, stickers, collage, and whatever else takes my fancy at the moment. I also glue an envelope into the back cover in preparation of all those goodies I’m going to stash there. I enjoy the introduction to a new book for writing my thoughts and working through my troubles.
There’s not much more to it than that for me, but the start of a fresh journal can invite the journal writer to enjoy certain rituals. I know of some journal keepers who name each of their journals before they begin to write in them.
How about you? What are your rituals for starting a fresh journal? Please use the comments section below to share your starting rituals.
Tags: envelopes, journal-writing, journal-writing-rituals, starting-a-journal, starting-ritualsRelated Stories
POSTED IN: General: Journal Writing
7 opinions for Starting Rituals
Velma
Dec 7, 2006 at 10:01 am
I have some overlapping rituals, including the gluing an envelope into the back cover (or, if it’s a soft book, a few pages away from the back cover)> I reserve the last pages of each book for lists of books read (both new and reread), movies seen, and phone numbers and contact information of new people.
The front of my book usually starts with a title/quote/epigram; originally they were to give me a conscious theme for the journal, but lately I’ve let my subconscious choose the words, and at the end of the book I reflect on the title and how it’s manifested.
I also use rubber stamps with abandon, and will occasionally stick surprise quotes at the bottoms of random pages, so that in a few weeks, I’ll see them.
(I’ve never thought of pasting a calendar in, but that’s a cool idea!)
Kel
Dec 7, 2006 at 2:05 pm
I love starting new journals, but I have no “ritual” persay… I love the idea of it though. I might borrow your idea of using stickers and things to keep it all exciting!
Heather Goldsmith
Dec 7, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Hi Velma and Kel,
Thanks for commenting. I love to read what other people do to start a new journal. Love the quotes on random pages idea, Velma. Glad to have inspired you to begin a new journal ‘ritual,’ Kel. ;-)
Writing With Purpose
Feb 20, 2008 at 1:10 am
[…] I’ve found that writing with a sense of purpose brings meaning to all I write. This is one reason I dedicate each new journal to some purpose or goal. I write a statement identifying what I intend to use this journal for. Writing this statement is one of my Starting Rituals. […]
Laura
Mar 15, 2008 at 4:19 am
I usually add a quote or two that I like to the front of my journals. Sometimes I add to my quote list during the time I keep that particular volume. Lately I’ve been stuck on two quotes in particular. I’m beginning to worry that they’re getting a little repetitive but they still hold meaning for me so I keep including them in the front of my journals.
Heather Goldsmith
Mar 15, 2008 at 7:06 am
Hi Laura,
Yeah, I think if the quotes really do hold a lot of meaning then they should be included in the beginning of your journal. I like that idea, personally, but don’t have the time for it right now. I like to write journal responses from quotes, too. Thanks for your input, it’s much appreciated. ;-)
Writing Your Life
Jul 1, 2008 at 6:25 pm
[…] the others, your messages may not be as clear as you hoped. You might like to build this into your starting ritual, by writing a page filled with all this relevant […]
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