Writing As Ritual

How Natalie Goldberg is helping to transform my writing

Time and time again I go back to reading ‘Writing Down The Bones’ by Natalie Goldberg. It is a beloved classic among writers of ALL levels. It serves as an enduring testament to the simplicity and profound impact of the daily writing practice.

Over the years I have taken Natalie’s approach on how to get to the page day after day after day, no matter how I’m feeling. Today marks Day 946 of me consistently journaling. I’ve journaled for years on and off, but I’ve never managed to religiously journal day after day, as in never missing a day. This continues to surprise me. But here’s the thing, I now find it more challenging NOT to journal daily, than it is to journal. I always have something to write about. Of course, I struggle with writers block, but it’s usually due to the fact I’m trying to write with perfection. The moment I rant and rage on the page, the more likely I get into a state of flow with my writing.

Many of my students ask me how do I manage to journal every single d…