I attach my following comment to your video here because this is where my life changed. I can't recall exactly where the germ to journal started but it has only been a little over a year now and you have played the greatest part in it. You have opened your home, your life, your soul and observations in such a way that I am $1000's of dollars deep into the process of finding my way along lol! Chic sparrow, fountain pens, paper, fountain pen rolls and ink, intentions and curiosity about life have all made their mark on me. Its not only grade school children you have had a hand in guiding but this woman of 60 years. I look forwarded to your fearlessness and individuality in all your videos. Thank you is too small to encapsulate all that you have given... shall I say that your one droplet into the lake of life has had resounding ripples.
I love watching journaling videos, but they are mostly neat, tidy bullet journals, or people writing single paragraphs between collaged pages, and while they are beautiful (I have a particular admiration for aesthetics) they aren’t how I journal. I loved hearing someone speak about journaling the way I approach it myself, there a sense of kinship, I suppose. This was a wonderful, inspiring video!
What you said about your journal being your best friend, your outlet...it’s not sad. I am the same way. There are many more of us out there. You’ve many valid points and great suggestions. So glad I found you on RU-vid. Thank you.
It’s very true, write as if no one is reading. I have been journaling for over forty years. I started as I have dyslexia and as a child had terrible hand writing as my thoughts raced several sentences ahead of what I was writing. It was my English teacher who loaned me his gold Sheaffer fountain pen and almost instantly my hand writing improved and after a year I went from A for content D for hand writing to A for content and A for handwriting! He gave me a journal and a bottle of ink and told me to write and I did! I wrote and still write poetry ( proud to say I think a bit of my family history is to thank for that as Robert Browning is an ancestor of mine) and fountain pens improved that. So journals there for me to write poetry and to write my thoughts. I live alone so have no one to talk to so my journal is my stalwart listener. I really enjoy your channel, thank you for sharing your experiences. All the best from a Brit who lives in Austria.
ianmedium I’m so late in seeing your message! What a wonderful experience you have had. Good for your teacher for taking the time and trying things out so that you may thrive as a student. I hope your writing continues to take you on many journeys. Be well, happy writing.
Tip - I use clear nail polish on the ends of the bookmark to keep them from fraying and it also adds a bit a stiffness which helps when grabbing them to open the page
I have struggled with journaling so much that I have left notebooks unfinished so many times that it hurts but this video has resonated with me so much that I am once again going to try my hand at it.
Ha, your intro was a riot. When I was in art school, I used to feel a lot of pressure about starting a new sketchbook. One of my teachers inadvertently solved that though when he assigned 10 pages of hands at the beginning of the semester. Since then, I’ve always started my sketchbooks with several pages of hands. It’s great, because you always have your model, and it forces you to get really good at drawing them.
If you want to feel liberated while writing teach yourself mirror writing, the art of writing in reverse. There’s something incredibly freeing about writing words you can’t even read yourself while you’re writing them, not until you hold them up to a mirror. And when you do see your reflected words they’re different from your normal penmanship which allows you to read them more objectively. And by the way, I love your channel. As a typewriter collector I had your typewriter video recommended to me and now after watching a dozen or so of your other videos I’m shopping for my first fountain pen. I want a black 1930s Schaffer OS Balance, to match my 1930s glossy black typewriters!
Have to agree with the last comment, absolutely love your dog! Exactly what my dog would be doing, not much! I know exactly what you mean, I carry my journal everywhere. Last year I got the Galen Leather Writer's Medic Bag with slots for my favorite pens and the all important journal. Even makes a little writing platform when needed. On a trip to London a few years ago, my mother and I took our sketch journals and sat in parks with them. we met more people that way, and it was absolutely incredible. Mum even had a sketching "chat" with a Chinese student who spoke no English but they sat together on a bench together in the National Gallery having a marvelous time. Ok, that was my life story... love your videos!
Your statement about your journal is like your best friend really resonated with me. I am going to look at my gratitude journal the same way from now on. Thank you for sharing your very personal perspective.
Thank You for inspiring me to Journal again. I purchased my first journal when I was 14 on summer vacation in Puerto Rico visiting my Family. I spent the entire summer there and fell in love with journaling my adventures. In recent years I fell off the journaling wagon. I came across your video and it made me remember how much I loved writing. Thank You for sharing and helping inspire me to Journal again. Xo from NY.
First, as always this was a wonderful video. I didn’t know you teach, but am not surprised. I am in my 32 yr of teaching. Over time there have been several students who told me repeatedly that they couldn’t write something. One time in particular.. the assignment was to write a story about their holiday weekend. The student said they didn’t know how to write a story. So...I invited the student to tell their story verbally, which they did reluctantly. The story was amazing, with all sorts of details. In the end they wrote the story they had just told us onto paper. It was amazing. I think those you work with are blessed.
Pure joy listening to you talk about your journaling. I ordered an A5 cover and will head to the art store for a Leuchtturm notebook. I am a poet and writer and love the larger size. Your videos make me feel like I’m visiting a friend’s house!
Thank you -- for reminding me of myself. I used to write all of the time, it was as natural and essential as breathing, but then I put too much pressure on myself by trying to make it my career, I got terrible tendinitis in my wrist that I struggled with for two-three years, and I got into a major writing funk. I still feel like I'm trying to work my way out of that funk, and this beautiful ramble of yours is helping me remember what it was all about, when my writing journey started, almost a decade ago. 🥰
I found some of my old journals the other day from high school (2000) was very interesting to go back in time totally absorbed in the pages. Made me want to start to do this again ! How cute is this girl too :)
I think I own every type of notebook and journal there is, but for journaling, I still use Black 'Red. Preferably those made in Germany. The large casebound as a desk journal, and the medium as a carry with me journal. Good tips all. I just got rid of my smart phone. I'm pretty sure it was making me stupid. It was certainly wasting my time. Now I have a Jitterbug. Phone and text only. And I only use the text in an emergency. I'm trying to get things out of my head, not put ever more meaningless trivia into it. And, seriously, no one has nine hundred and seventy-three friends, as someone I know claims. When the importance of your writing is concerned, never assume anything you write isn't important, isn't salable. Not very long after I started calling myself a write, I sat down and wrote a letter to the editor of out local newspaper. It was in response to an article the paper published a few days earlier, and it took less than twenty minutes to write. I sent it to the editor, and he liked it enough to publish it as a guest column, rather than it the letters to the editor section. He also paid me ten dollars for it. The editor of a much larger newspaper read it, liked it, and bought reprint rights, though I don't remember what he paid. Certainly more than ten dollars, but not a great deal ore. Then a magazine editor read it, and she bought reprint rights for even more. I earned several thousand dollars from this seven hundred and fifty word piece before I actually tried to sell it anywhere. In journalism speak, seven hundred and fifty words is actually a half column. Or used to be. I don't know how it's done now. Sometimes it's the writing we create with deadly serious intention that's just a big blast of hot air, and the writing we create without even thinking about, without any intention at all that it will be worth reading, that turns out to be the diamond in a huge pile of coal colored ego.
I just wanted to tell that I am so happy to found your channel . I am keeping watching your videos over and over for relaxing and inspiring. You wont believe how much I watch each of your videos. Please don't ever stop and thx for your lovely videos .
I wonder how long it’d take you to get through a nanami seven seas writer👀 I’m trying to get out of the habit of only journaling when I’m stressed or sad. I want to decrease my screen time and get back into writing and reading again.
love my A6 camel cover with blank pages - i change the refill once done and have been journaling for years like this. love the freedom, the peace of blank pages. like i can be what i want to be. i gravitate with u.
This video speaks to my soul. I've always loved stationary, but oddly, hated journaling. It just felt like homework. But since the start of the quarantine, I have discovered stream of conscience writing and starting writing just for myself, like you mentioned. And honestly it's been a transformative journey.
Thank you so much for sharing! I have been writing on and off in a journal since I was in about 5th grade but only in the last few years have I picked it up on a continuous basis. And now I write at least a page every day. But your video is so inspiring though for me to write more! I love your videos about your journal and chic sparrows and fountain pens. I can't wait to see more!
Hi, I just discovered your channel today and you are incredibly inspiring. Your commitment to writing and how much you need it is truly inspiring. I have been a fan of fountain pens for many many years..been really enjoying your content!
I've always journaled, but the idea of sharing it in this way with other journal-writers is so new to me. Thank you for your earnestness and creativity. You've inspired me!
Noticed the guitar cases.Love to hear you play. I’m passionate about guitars and fountain pens/ calligraphy,so love to find likeminded people.Have only just stumbled onto your site,subscribed already and wanna see your handwriting,which I’m sure I’ll see soon.
Your last piece of advice is so so true! I often find it so irritating to see young people say, “I don’t have time for this or that” when in reality we have so much time but we unconscious behaviors that aren’t helpful, like grabbing our cell phones and going on social media. Before the pandemic I found myself opening my journal when waiting for others and purposefully allowing myself to have a break before or in between meetings, choosing to pick up a book when I was consumed with a piece of literature, but always making an effort for the habit I wanted to implement or invest in.
Love the cute playful introduction. The dog chilling out in the background. Thanks for sharing your thoughts / the way you journal. Isn't it such fun to look back on the past and recollect what you were thinking back then. 👍👍😁😁 Keep up the good work and keep on rambling. Love it❤️❤️
this video was so inspiring to watch. I have been journaling on and off for so many years and always end up just falling off. I felt more drawn to it recently again but thought it could be this cycle I am so used to. watching this has been so helpful for me to start and continue. thank you for this.
Hi! A new subscriber here. It's funny how I came across your channel because I love writing a lot when I was younger, I journaled then moved to blog at some point but stopped altogether for quite awhile. Then I rediscovered this love for writing just 2 months ago, I'm writing A LOT in these two months. I guess the algorithm worked, cause I really really enjoy your contents! I'm also very into fountain pens & inks, knitting and crocheting, and I've always wanted to camp but never done it. After watching your videos, it just inspires me to do more. Thanks for sharing your passion to the world! :D
I love this video. Your enthusiasm for journaling really shines through here, and easily lends itself to facilitating a renewed sense of inspiration within me for my own journaling practice.
I got hooked on fountain pens last christmas 2018 and found myself writing on paper again. Am still building up my hoard of inks, pen and papers. So I appreciate YT channels like yours that narrow down the choices for me coz it can get so overwhelming for a newbie :) I really love your videos and your voice. Its very calming and soothing 😍 And you’re right, using pen and paper slows down time. Its rather refreshing to be desynced from the frenetic pace of the digital world and wade in the wonder of the present moment.
When I began my journey into the creative arts I was already a good academic writer. Over 15 years I explored creative writing. Now I have evolved into a creative journalist...a communications author and wordsmith...its compkex but I write down my heart and mind then illustrate those thoughts through collage to communicate and express myself. I love your big journal...I use a spiral housed in a red leather cover that I love. I have lots of books to use but my spiral is my favorite with a dollar general roller ball gel. Its a daily joy to journal...no longer a writer only, I combine my passions for words and collage to create. Thanks for showing your journey.
It's a really helpful video!!! Before watching it a thought that I never had time to write, but now I use my time better, I don't use my phone but I take my notebook and I write. I write about everything that comes to my mind, this makes my feel better with myself.
Loved your sharing today. It makes sense to me and I am going take your thoughts about write as if no one is watching 🤗 You have confirmed for me this is the place to be yourself and let the words flow. Also having the “right” notebook and pens does help. Of all the journals you have that one that went to the graveyard of notebooks is interesting as it shows you know what you like and it was OK to let that one go. I have gone back to partially filled and finished but if I truly don’t like the notebook I will let it go💕
This is a great video in many ways. Thanks for posting. I've always loved paper and pencils, and used to burn through sketch books. But I would see notebooks and journals, and buy them for their beauty. Now I want to find them and start writing in them again, like in the old days. I've been writing to try out ink and test out pens, and want to stretch out and get back to putting thoughts down.
Hi! I just wanted to say, thank you for doing this video! So so inspiring! This past year I have gotten into A LOT of writing and fountain pens... and I've been writing and writing and writing... and have been kind of feeling guilty about the amount of time I spend just writing. Feeling like it's not productive and that I "ought to be doing other things"... Thank you for all the things you said, justifying that ANY writing is a good thing to be doing! It's not a big waste of time to fill up notebooks and journals with my thoughts, feelings, opinions and words... You're so sweet and beautiful! I want to meet a girl just like you in real life :) hope you are doing well! - Mike
Thank you for posting all of your journal videos. During the initial stages of the Pandemic, I found them a great source of interest, comfort, perhaps meditative, and now... unfortunately...addiction. I currently have different journals/traveler's notebooks for different projects, and I can't help but think that there must be a perfect way to organize each one for different types of tasks...a challenging & fun endeavour...with my TWSBI Go pen. I'm waiting for delivery of a Leuchtturm 1917 "5 year memory journal" which you may find interesting. Thank you again.
I dont know how many times I watched this in past few months... Somehow it makes me want to write 😁 whenever im out of motivation to write, i just watch this video 🌹🌹🌹thank you
Watching this video after two years, I agree with you- "write like no one's reading". I too, got hold of a very bad journal, but I tried to exercise my patience and am nearing completion. I used it for sketching and doodling. I am also using 100 gsm paper for journaling, purchased in a huge ream- the experience is really good. Also I don't need separate letter writing pad with this set up.
I struggle to write daily, whether it be journaling or creatively. I used to, but now a day I feel I don't have the time... but you are right! Instead of writing when I have ten minutes or a lunch to spare I tend to pull out my phone. I need to make a more conscious effort. Can't wait to see more videos!
Thank You. This was very informative and inspiring. When I was in school my teacher made us keep a journal. She said it was private and that we should/could write anything we wanted in it. So I did exactly what I was told to do.............and then one day I get home and found out that my teacher told my parents what I wrote and I received one hell of a beaten. That ended it for me in regards to writing. ........ Also loved the dog in the back relaxing......he is living the life. LOL
I was writing and writing and writing on a long flight to Russia a few months ago. I felt the man across the aisle glancing at me from time to time. Finally, he said...you actually use a pen and paper! I never see anyone do that anymore.
This has been fantastic, I have just started Journalling but didnt really know if things I wrote were daft, but thanks to you,I feel less silly about what I write, I couldn't sleep so have been watching in the wee small hours of 2021. I can write about this later a d will share your channel with my friend, who begins her Journal Journey today. Happy New Year from Scotland.
Thank you for an interesting and thought-provoking video! I don't keep a journal but do a lot of writing (fiction and non-fiction). Using only fountain pens to write (like you a lot of Pelikans and Sailors), I found the Moleskine notebooks were very poor quality paper, with lots of ink "bleed through" So have been using Leuchturm 1917 notebooks, which I agree with you are simply the very best notebooks around... They have the best quality paper and design, and they are so solidly built. I have also bought Tomoe River notebooks but they are almost too high a quality paper for daily writing and carrying around... So I keep to the Leuchturms. I love the honesty with which you describe the way your journal has become your best friend. Perhaps one day you should publish selected extracts of your journal- they would probably make fascinating reading!
Also remember since was a 8-9 years boy how much I enjoyed going to stationery with my grandpa to buy pen paper and a wildest 5ct. Book. Addict to that in a Japanese way. Thanks for sharing. Be well.
Yes! Something about the Leuchtturm, I always go back to it. Great video, I still struggle with journaling like no one will read it. I haven't fully let go and it makes me feel so frustrated.
I love your videos! So inspiring! When you mentioned getting your first fountain pen (MUJI), it immediately reminded me of Peter Draws’ video about attaching his MUJI to an auto cad to see how long and consistently it would write. You’ve gotta check it out. It’s astounding! And it was only filled 3/4 with ink!😳
New subscriber!! You all the stuff I needed to hear! I have been journaling for many years but have never had the courage to take it on the go. I now will add my journal to my travelers notebook along with my sketch book!! Thank you. Oh and I found a love for fountain pens almost 2 years ago too.
I always watch your videos but when I saw the thumbnail of this one with those big stacks of journals, I squealed out loud making my dog jump up from a deep sleep, oops! lol Thanks for sharing, and Murphy says "next time he would appreciate me not interrupting his beauty sleep!" 😂 Btw, your pup is gorgeous, and from the looks of it would get along with Murphy quite well. 😂
Discovered your channel after watching your video on the TWSBI mini 😍 I absolutely love how many journals you’ve got! I actually got an idea recently of writing an entire novel by hand 😆 definitely gonna do that at some point. I’ve fallen in love with writing all over again since using fountain pens :)
Hello and thank you so much! I think writing a novel by hand is a brilliant idea! Something so connective about writing by hand (or typewriter) than on a computer. So great when that love of writing gets sparked again. Have fun! Happy writing!
"I will be patient" Then *only blank pages* So awesome 😄 I must admit, most of my notebook have at least some blank pages in the back. Because I so badly want to move into the next one. Such an inspiring video, thank you ♥️
Even though I’ve been writing journals since 2009 I’m not that consistent with them. Sometimes I write everyday, sometimes I will write after a break of a couple of months. Your kind words have inspired me to keep writing! 💙
I know this is older video but thank you for this. I have been and out of journaling all my life. Doodles and wrote nonsense and always thought it needed to be meaningful if it was meant to be a journal. I write nonsense all the time, I make lists and just like to lists things. Then I may write about my day or something that is on my mind. It is just good to know I am not the only one who writes non meaningful things sometimes as well. 🤣
I love it, as i burn 🔥 quite a few of mine. But the cafe experience, about whats going on around. I will embellish, or intuitively create their position or state if mind etc. Creating a story. Ive gotten much healing thru Journaling 😊
Awesome tips for writing!.....write as no ones watching, use ur freetime writing rather than wasting it on Facebook....love ur channel, ur music....what kinda music are you into in general? U have a fan!..subscribed:)
Nice video with useful tips! You say that once the journal is done, you don't come back to it... but don't you ever feel tempted to retrieve something that you wrote a while ago? :-) I personally derive some enjoyment from the sense of accomplishment that comes with skimming over your pages, and thinking how much work you've done! (And how pleasant it looks!)
I love dis bound journals because it removes my anxiety around “messing up” a page. I got me a fancy disc-punch, and, honestly, got a bit carried away. “I can make ANYTHING into a journal!!1”
I can relate to everything you said. The only difference is I developed a love of fountain pens before I started journaling. We were required to learn cursive writing in third grade using a fountain pen. I started journaling when I was in high school. I can remember when personal home computers came out the show Dougie Howser portrayed Dougie as journaling on his computer at the end of each show. Having the love of tech that I do and did at the time I thought, “That would be cool to journal on my computer.” I wrote one entry and said, no that isn’t going to work for me. I still journal on paper with fountain pens. There’s a certain romance to writing on fine paper with a fountain pen. I happen to like the Stalogy notebooks right now, but I have to be careful not to go to stationery stores or online too much, because I can’t resist the temptation. Oh, by the way, I have a few vintage pens. The only thing is they were new when I bought them! 😂 Great video. Thanks!
1. I think you are so cool. And 2. now that I see your dog and know that you are a teacher, it's hard for me to see how you could become cooler. Thanks.
Wow! So impressive hehe. Now I really wanna get back to mine hh. And yes! Ooooh I love Leuchtturm sooo much too! I got their planner and a b5 sketchbook. I am absolutely in love with them. Actually I have to say I'm quite jealous about your journal collection xP thank you for the tips I will use them and journal more😘 Also I bet you have a "shelf of fame" displaying all your fancy journals? 😏 JK. Greetings from germany
Haha thanks! Leuchtturms are amazing. I hope you enjoy your journaling advetures. I'd love to display the journals, but honestly, I get paranoid about someone reading them, so I hide them away.
