Journalling for Creativity

I keep a bullet Journal.
When I was working I was the techincal writer for our organization. Technical Writer wasn’t in my job description. It just happened because I could put words together that made sense even under the strict style guidelines of our organization, I had to write governmentease.
Now I’m a blogger. The writing style is completely different and far more relaxed, Still the New York Times Style Guide is a pretty good tool if you want to write well and be understood.
My journal is mine to write as I please. Usually, I write brief notes, but if I need to write and essay I’m free to do so. I wrote this article in Day One before posting it here. When I publish this I will put my affiliate like and the date and location where the article was published. Then I will enter that information at the top of the original article I will tag the original WA Blog Rolor and Journaling. When I write an article on a similar subject I can create an external link to this article.
My bullet journal is a record of how I spend my time. I use a program called Day One to record everything. Then I summarize the week’s import events and accomplishments in a notebook. Nothing can replace good old pen and paper.
I carry pen and small note book in a belt pouch. It is always with me. When I want to record an idea or thought I grab the note pad and pen before the idea gets lost.
Late in life I’ve learned the importance of listening to my subconscious. I’ve even learned to talk with my subconscious. Usually it happens in my dreams. Occasionally it will happen in what the call waking dreams. This is when you physically interact with your dream. For years I had to sleep with my back to my wife because I would be in a karate fight with my dream. I would kick widely. If my wife felt me vibrating she would wake me up because she knew I would soon be experiencing a kicking nightmare. It happens most often as a result of PTSS. (Post Tramatic Stress Syndrome).
Fortunately, those dreams faded after 30 years. Now I have lucid and very productive conversations with my subconscious. Some times it takes the form of talking to myself. I have very interesting conversations with myself. Sometimes it shows up in male form, some times as a female and some times as some kind of ephemeral spirit and sometimes it is just a though drifting threw my brain. I like the female best. She is usually beautiful but what she looks like is up to her and her mood.
Sound crazy doesn’t it. I don’t care. My best Ideas come when I am talking to my subcounscious.
Have you ever been stuck on how to write an idea and woke up in the morning with your writing flowing freely. Your subconscious was helping you while you slept.
Children often have imaginary friens. They are usually taught that imaginary friends are not acceptable in our soceity and loose the skill before they hit their teens. Mine lasted a bit longer.
I was stationed on Adak during the Korean War. Their were a half dozen of us most of whom I didn't like. I talked with my imaginary friends regularly. When I got discharged I got married. I was working on a project on our back porch. When I came in the house my wife asked me who I was talking with. I never realy talked with my subconcsous again until I was in my 80s.
In other cultures those who can have subcouncsious conversations are respected shamen. In Japan, employees are often expected to repeat check lists outloud as the complete each item on the list.
I find that my most creative ideas come after I go to bed, because the noise and tempo of the day has died away and my brain is free to dwell on whatever it wants. Consequently, I keep a notebook by my bed because otherwise I'd lose all those ideas...I write them on my notebook...have written several posts with this method.
Speaking of subconscious conversations, I used to (and still do periodically) use automatic writing to get to my subconscious mind. Then I, too, had interesting conversations with myself.
So, you see, you aren't that crazy! Or maybe we both are...hmmm...
I am certainly a morning person and usually my best ideas are early to write.
Good post Bill.
Thanks,
Bill
Sami