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 day? I basically don’t overthink it. I now journal on a needs must basis. It is my oxygen. But it never was an easy thing to do. I wrestled with the pen and paper for months. I struggled with imposter syndrome. I hated how I used to write, thinking I didn’t make sense and who was I to think I was a writer? I thought journaling daily was an indulgence and the guilt used to paralyse my thoughts.

Luckily I found ‘Writing Down The Bones’ and then my whole attitude to journaling and writing changed. I’m on a mission to help others like me. Maybe you’re struggling with how to journal constantly, you might be wondering what the actual difference is between journaling and writing, maybe you’re embarrassed to call myself a writer and struggle to allow yourself the time to journal on a daily basis. If any of this resonates with you, I’d like to share some of my take aways from what I have learnt over the years from reading Natalie’s work.

The Art of Simplicity - one of the remarkable aspects to Natalie’s teachings is her dedication to simplicity. She demystifies the writing process, reminding us that writing is not and shouldn’t be a complex endeavour. One I realised that writing could be as routine and as simple as brushing my teeth, I gave myself the permission to write every morning. It is as simple as that. I am the Queen of procrastination. I do believe if I can write for 10 minutes every single day, so can you! It will take a little bit of discipline but also an element of creative play. Tell your inner chimp brain to simmer down. Write as though nobody is reading.

Do It Daily - for many of us the thought of journaling daily without fail can seem really daunting. But I swear once you get into a good habit of writing, even if it’s just one sentence each day for the next 30 days, you’ll soon find that you’ll not trade time for self-care for anything. Before you know it, you’ll be going deeper with your journaling, I promise you will get into a state of flow with your writing. Who knows you may find you’ll be writing your own memoir without even realising it, just by documenting hundreds of journal entries that you’ve collected over the years. Like me, I promise you’ll find your journaling will become an integral part of your life.

It’s this dedication that sets Natalie Goldberg apart. Her guidance isn’t just about writing; it’s about commitment, discipline and showing up for yourself everyday. And for me it’s this consistent presence on the page that has led me to profound self-discovery and transformation.

Here are some of Natalie’s timeless prompts…

1. “I remember…” begin with these words and let your thoughts and memories flow onto the page.

2. “Go to a cafe to write. Tell us about it.” This is one of my favourite prompts, I would do this every single day if I could.

3. “Write about the texture of a stone in your hand” Use nature to ignite your creativity, even going on a brisk walk helps. I normally notice something beautiful when walking with my ridgebacks and find I’m rushing home to write about it in my journal.

4. “Write about a place you haven’t thought of in years.” Revisiting a place that I hold dear always brings me joy when I journal. A true feeling of nostalgia.

5. “Write the worst junk you’ve ever read”. I absolutely love how Natalie encourages us to write without judgment. This always inspires me to be reckless with my writing. You should try this one. Let me know how you get on.

Honestly, there is so much journaling gold in all 198 pages of ‘Writing Down The Bones’. So if you’re yearning for a more consistent and meaningful writing practice, consider Natalie Goldberg’s timeless wisdom. I think she rocks and if you love poetry and Haiku, I highly recommend her latest publication ‘Three Simple Lines’.

Until the next time

Take care & stay safe xxx