Daily Journaling, Mark Twain, and Owning Your Inner Awesome

 

Did you know that Mark Twain tried and failed to keep a daily journal? 

Inspired by and enjoying "Mark Twain's Notebooks"

    From the tone of his very own writing on the topic, it sounds like Mark Twain tried more than once to keep a daily journal, before accepting that it just wasn't gonna happen. 

At certain periods it becomes the dearest ambition of a man to keep a faithful record of his performances in a book; and he dashes at this work with an enthusiasm that imposes on him the notion that keeping a journal is the veriest pastime in the world, and the pleasantest,"

    Sound familiar? This was definitely me as a child. (Dear Diary) And as a teen. (Hello Blogosphere) And as a young adult. (Bullet Journal!)  Maybe I realized, as he did, that some people are too distracted, too inspired, too passionate about learning, and writing. And living. And laughing. Too excited about all these things and more to keep track of it all. But when I read his words tonight, his classically beautiful, old-timey elegant writing on the subject of journaling, WOW, I felt seen. And validated. And proud. I have no doubt these next words of wisdom also come from personal experience,

"But if he only lives twenty-one days, he will find out that only those rare natures that are made up of pluck, endurance, devotion to duty for duty's sake, and invincible determination, may hope to venture upon so tremendous an enterprise as the keeping of a journal and not sustain a shameful defeat."

 Long story short, if you were very determined and excited about keeping a daily journal! For about a week... Well, then you're in great company. I mean WOW, Mark Twain! One of the great American authors. Famous for "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and so much more. If HE struggled with keeping a journal, well then there's definitely hope for me!

  The ashamed perfectionist in me feels so validated, so grateful to learn that it's not any personal failing of mine that caused/causes the collection of beautifully bound, sparsely used journals to grow and grow and grow. I just haven't yet found the courage to say my own version of Mark Twain's mic drop (but since we're here I'll give it a try):

F it. Journals are great and I very much love the joy of a brand new beginning - but a whole year? Nah, no way. I've got too much awesomeness in me to stress over my hot mess of a style, to fuss over a perceived failure from an unrealistic expectation that I set FOR MYSELF. It's not even any one else telling me that I'm not good enough, it's freaking me! I am way too talented, too creative, and too full of ideas for a daily diary. Notebooks though, yeah those are my jam. Letters and observations, wit, wisdom, and doodles, THOSE I can do, and do. So to any future biographers who might wish I had been more organized... it is what it is. Good luck. And however much you find, is enough. Even if you're not even looking, that too is enough. Because for me to pour these words out, whether anyone reads them or not, that makes my writer's heart happy. And that's not nothing. 

If you want to feel seen, start by seeing yourself. Believe in yourself. And sure, be on the lookout for those "we should be friends" soul connections. Because at the end of the day, the best way to work, and play, is to see yourself, to be yourself, and to own all the perfect imperfections that make you one of a kind. 

 Thanks for reading, for resonating, for recommending.

xoxo, Gali Rosas