"THE GOAL OF EMBODIMENT: To write in a paper diary/journal every day, beginning Jan. 1st. Entries may be as short as a word or a sentence, or as long as several pages. Visual journal entries are also encouraged, including sketches, collages, or photography. Missing a day is not failure... but the GOAL is to keep a journal to document a year of your life, so, if you miss a day, two, or twenty - pick up that diary again and press forward!
WHY? Because in this digital realm where we can so easily delete and repeat, concretizing and externalizing in the form of a paper journal just feels good. If you still want to delete your thoughts when it's all over, you can have a ritual burning."
When I first started my embodiment journal, back at the start of January (I was a little late to the party, I started mine around the 4th or 5th) - something about it hooked me. Even though part of the embodiment challenge is to write or do something every day in your journal, I enjoy the freedom. You can do as little or as much as you like. Back in my early teens when I tried to maintain a page-a-day written diary, I didn't stick with it for longer than a month, because it felt so rigid - one page a day was either too little, or way too much (after a while of using other pages, I used to type it out instead, print it, fold it up and paperclip it to the page).
What did last longer was a little blue notebook I kept as a fifteen-year-old. This wasn't a traditional diary, but a notebook where I drew mind-maps, occasionally doodled and scribbled in bullet points (in various colours). At one point I even cut into the pages with scissors because I was that frustrated. That period of time in my life was a difficult one, and the notebook was a great comfort. I stopped using the book when that difficult period was over (and have since disposed of it along with my other handwritten diaries) but I still remember it perfectly and what it did for me.
The embodiment journal is a book I want to keep. This diary, hopefully, will not have the fate my others did - this one is hopefully going to be looked back on in ten years' time, twenty years' time. This diary isn't just going to document times of stress, but almost everything that goes on. There have been times where, if I've been stuck on what to write for the day, I've written about songs that have memories attached to them. If I can't sleep, I'll write about a memory or whatever it is that's on the mind. It's wonderfully therapeutic, and as the book grows thicker I've realised how much I don't want to forget. This has become one of my main reasons for embodimenting now - I don't want to forget, and if I ever do I can always turn back here.
Life seems to be moving very fast right now. If everything works out in my favour, I'll be at university by the end of the year. This time last year I was in sixth-form. This time three years ago, I was in high school. Heck, I'm nearly nineteen and I don't feel like it. I felt eighteen on the day of my birthday, like I'd jumped up a year, but I'd be lying if I said there weren't moments when I had to stop and think about it when I was asked what my age was, because I've felt younger.
Embodimenting at least helps me sort out all the craziness by writing it down, drawing, painting or collaging. And maybe, when there's a peaceful period of time in life (like my retirement or something :P) - I can read through it all and start to make some sense of it.
If you're thinking of taking up the challenge, I urge you to. I was inspired by a friend - I hope that the journal entries I share can be an inspiration too.
3 comments:
You've captured here a great chunk of what embodiment is for me also. :)
I loved this essay. Hope you can stay with the club for a long time, too. It's good to have a buddy. HA.
@Laughter Follows:
Thanks, it's awesome to know others have the same reasons as I do :3
@Addy:
Haha, indeed! And with Q joining the ranks too. Thank you <3
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