Write Your Favourite Quotes
Behind my closet full of ever-increasing homeschooling supplies, I have a stack of old journals I’ve peppered with my favourite quotes and ideas over the years. When taking trips to Target were a regular part of my weekend living in Virginia, I’d stock up on mini-journals to be sure I had a place to write any inspiring thought when it came, knowing how fickle memory can be at times. I noticed that when I wrote my favourite quotes and passages from books, classes, or people in my life, I fostered an attachment with the meaning behind the words. This was also how my love for Qur’an Journaling came about (more on that in another post).
The simple act of hand-lettering in my journals gave me a pathway to knowing myself at a deeper level. My hopes, values, fears, ideals, and the things that inspire me started coming up to the surface as I wrote. Flipping through the journals, I’d be able to reach back in time for an inspiring thought or expression to rekindle my own creativity when feeling dull. Had I not filled my journals, I’m sure much of what stood out to me from my favourite books or people would have eroded over time.
Next to my bed, I keep a white and purple copy of one of my favourite classics, Jane Eyre. Which, by the way, I cannot believe I never read until my thirties! I felt like all my English classes in high school were in vain since this magnificent book was never in our reading curriculum. Either way, as I was reading the book, I knew there were too many nuggets of beautiful prose I didn’t want to fade away, so I couldn’t resist having a small journal to add in my favourite quotes from the book. Throughout books I’ve loved reading, I felt less alone in my feelings about life when I could capture a quote that resonated with me and my experience.
I find this practice is particularly helpful when I’m in a period of “liminal space” as a creative. Liminal space is a transition between two other locations or states of being. I experienced this state pre and post motherhood, pre/post leaving Virginia and moving to Canada, and pre/post being single and getting married. Just this past Fall, I went into a liminal space again and I knew I was in it because I didn’t want to create as much but I’m used to but I still wanted to dabble in other creatives’ ideas through reading books, baking bread, watching vlogs that bring me joy, taking leisurely walks, and journaling my favourite quotes.
These smaller acts of creativity help lead to bigger acts of creativity. Even if you don’t feel you’re in the season to do deeper creative work, you can still stay in touch with what inspires you by noticing what stands out to you in the world, keeping a mini collection of inspiring words and art from other writers, and giving value to what you see as beautiful. These smaller acts of creativity may lead you in a direction far greater than what you imagined for yourself allowed yourselfbecause you gave yourself the opportunity to notice and validate your inner callings. As you create your own quotes journal, you’ll find it provides validation, comfort, encouragement, and growth at the perfect time.
Writing Prompts // Reflection
Find any unused journals or notebooks in your home, or even an unused planner and start using it to write any inspiring quotes from books, posts, people, or articles you read.
As you fill up the journal, notice any themes that are coming to the surface for you. What does your favourite quotes tell you about yourself and your inner world?
What ideas and perspectives are ignited within you as you read and reflect on your favourite quotes?
