June = Journals
Photo by Negative Space on Pexels.com
I am beginning to explore the history of journals and how they have been employed. I believe that the earliest journals may have been cave walls. I love the images and wonder at the meaning of these ancient paintings.
However, my assumption is that journal keeping is most often tied to economic affluence, education, gender, and the availability of paper.
I also presume that the luxury of an inner life that could be reflected upon and expressed to oneself is something that the majority of people who were educationally illiterate would not have seen as a possibility. Their inner life was not expressed in this modality and died with them.
Journal writing often reflects an inherent classism, including the luxury of time and leisure to engage in reflection to explore one’s personal thoughts and feelings. It also reflects a sense of self that is able to reflect on internal and external events in a written form that is private and only rarely shared with others. We, who have grown up with spiritual practices, psychological theories and the importance of an inner life are inheritors of freedom of expression that millions simply have never had.
So, for those of us who have struggled to find our voices and who use journals to privately explore creative expression, meaning, healing and purpose we do so with an awareness of the many through time for whom this was not, and is not, an option. We can value our privacy, and deeply engage in our own private creative expressions that emerge on paper through writing, painting, poetry and collage. And, we can encourage others to do the same.
As a counselor and social worker I have worked with a diversity of clients over the years and find that journaling is a universal healing tool that allows space for acknowledging all of who we are and is accessible to most regardless of our economic situation. I love that you are focussing on journaling in June and have inspired me to recommit to my practice.
Thank you! It is a pleasure to reflect on this topic. Thank you for your comments!
I enjoyed this sweet reflection on the history and privilege of journaling. Your appreciation of it enriches the experience!
Thank you! I focus on one topic for a month. This month it is journaling. It is rich topic and I learn so much along by creating these posts. Thank you for your comment!
Oh, I love the idea of cave writings being early journals! I need to do more journaling. I do it for awhile and then fall of the wagon. 😉
I do too. ❤️
I will write about “falling off the wagon” next week. 😊
Journaling captures the guts of everything. It’s raw, authentic, and vulnerable. Some of y best poetry happens in my journal 🙂
Journaling capture the guts of things if we permit ourselves to do deep explorations. Thanks for your comment.
Wow! I never thought about cave paintings as being a for of journaling but you’re absolutely right. What a gift we have been given. Thank you!
We have received a gift and an ancient practice. Thank you for commenting!
Beautiful post.
I love the focus. Journaling is an art am learning and I really appreciate your insight.
I hope you experience the many benefits of this profound practice. Thanks for your comment!