TABULA RASA
Why do we never start writing on the first page of a journal?
A dear friend of mine, far across the ocean in a place with the wonderful name of Cashmere, has exactly this problem. She and I are both compulsive collectors of journals. And are both unable to write on that first page: Always turning a few pages before we begin. Perhaps even as far as the middle... On occasion going as far as starting at the back!
We laughed to discover this odd shared habit and wondered why? Is it because we feel we are not good enough to grace that first page with the essence of us? Or are we trying to preserve that lovely feeling of opening the journal for the first time? That smoothing of the pristine page, the cracking of the spine... Or, is it simply fear? Fear of making a mark.
We shared a facebook laugh over this particular dilemma and, on reading the many comments, soon learned that we were not as odd as we had first thought. There were more than a few out there who did just the same thing. Waiting, reserving things... cheating ourselves. Instead of just putting ourselves - our thoughts, our lists, our doodles, our art, our hearts - down on the page. Out there, without fear.
I have resolved, from now on, to write boldly on the first page of every journal. This, of course, remains to be seen.
Speaking of journals… I kept hearing people talking about art journalling. Being intrigued to see what all the fuss was about, I googled it. Thus I discovered this whole trendy-to-do thing. Something I have actually been doing my whole life - telling stories with pictures as well as words. My family kept many of my pictorial records of events, right back to when I was about 4 years old. I particularly remember a colourful rendition of one Easter, spent confined with measles and an impressively large box of wax crayons. Sadly, that rainbow eggy artwork was lost, along with almost everything I owned, in a house fire two years ago. (Yes, I recorded that, too, in a picture). But that is another story.
Before we were all compelled to clamber aboard the Corona-coaster I had been planning a retreat with the inimitable Kate Nash. My offering - art journalling my way, connecting to the elements and ultimately, ourselves. Giving a joyful skill to others that I have practiced since forever. Gorgeous Kate was bringing a most wonderfully freeing form of dance and movement. (The first time I did a session with Kate, I was literally blown away by the beautiful difference it made). The amazing and perfect French Retreat was booked for 2021 and magic was well underway... We were so excited about it. We still are and there is no doubt it will happen - but timings have obviously had to change.
Tabula rasa - clean slate. So many of us, all of us in fact, have had our diaries wiped quite, quite clean. We are all faced with a pristine new page. What will we write on it?
