idea catcher

When my friend Debbie Kaput passed away, I realized for the first time that I had stopped writing in my journal. It wasn't deliberate, it just took a while to get that box unpacked, and by the time I did I had gotten out of the habit. The reason that Debbie's death brought it up for me was that I was searching for a connection to her and so I went to my journal to read about our times together.

When I realized that it had been over two months since I had written I was shocked. My journal didn't contain my immediate recollections of our last calls. I hadn't, while it was fresh in my head, written my thoughts after those calls. Now, all I have is a memory that will fade in time because I didn't take a snapshot of it while I could have.

I know not all of you are "into" journaling - but I wanted to talk about it again. So, I had an inspiration - an "idea catcher".

Here is how it works - instead of being disciplined to write every day or get your feelings in motion on paper, get a smaller book, say 5 x 8 or smaller. Decorate it or buy one that you find interesting. Carry it with you, or leave it on your desk or by your bed. Each time you have inspiration, write it down. It doesn't matter - scribble notes, make to-do lists, doodle - the important thing is to get it down on paper. DATE each entry.

Last year I purchased a similar book that I kept with me, and put on my desk when I was at work. I used it in just this way. It contains notes from meetings at conventions, jotted ideas for "daily wishes", a drawing of a haircut for my hairdresser, I pasted business cards into it so I wouldn't lose them. I have only two pages left in this book and I realized that it was like a safety net for me this year. I wrote the things in it I didn't want to forget. I took it to dinner and my then-husband and I brainstormed into it. I also kept it open when I talked to my friend and wanted to hear the latest on her so I could share it with the many people that e-mailed me to find out about her.
That book, my idea catcher, had the notes of that last conversation. No, it isn't the detailed thoughts I would have put in a journal - but it is precious to me.

If you have tried journaling in the past but just found that it didn't work for you - consider starting a dream catcher of your own. No rules except that you write in it when inspired, brainstorming or thinking on paper - and you date each entry.

Want to read more about journals?

The Book of Myself: A Do-It-Yourself...

Benefits of Journal writing

Journal Jumpstarts: Quick Topics and Tips for Journal Writing

How to Make a Journal of Your Life

The Decorated Page: Journals, Scrapbooks...

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