ON KEEPING A DIARY

I started a diary when my daughters were young to record the funny things they did, and said, pretty much every day.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I instinctively turned to my diary again for comfort. I found that it helped me to find some clarity and organise my thoughts and emotions at a time when my head felt scrambled.

The wonderful thing about a diary is that it’s your private space to release feelings. It doesn’t judge, it simply listens and records. Sometimes, dumping the contents of your head somewhere safe and getting silence in return is exactly what’s needed.

As an artist, my diary was also full of scribbles and sketches. I found it therapeutic to make these little drawings, charting my thoughts and feelings.

When I lost my wonderful Dad, I found a tiny white journal in his belongings and since it was unused, I decided to record memories of him, one per page as they floated into my mind. I wanted to capture the precious memories and was afraid I would otherwise forget them over time. My beautiful Mum now also features in these pages, and this little palm-sized journal is almost full.

It brings me happiness to flick through in quiet moments, and it will undoubtedly be passed down to my daughters at some future time along with the diary of their childhood antics.

Post Views : 163