I was reading this blog post about the writer tracking their energy level in their journal, and then noticing that there were not only daily and weekly but even seasonal ups and downs that directly correlated to their creative output.
Thinking about that brought to my mind the view that the winter season is “hibernation” time. Even though I still work full time, still have to shop and run errands, in my head it’s the time to “hunker down and minimize activity.” Perhaps I have my own seasonal energy levels. Who knows? Maybe it’s Vitamin D deficiency.
Regardless, this was an inspiration for me to add an energy tracker to my new journal. I recently filled up the old one that I started in July 2023. It’s not really a bullet journal, nor is it a diary. If anything, it’s closer to a zibaldone. I sketch ideas, jot down quotes, and even paste in odd bits of found artwork or other printed matter. I’ve even painted watercolor in it, although the paper is not ideal for that.
I’ve been neglecting the blog a bit. I’d attribute it to lower energy and being busy with other things. Writing time (and particularly reflection time) has been even more limited than energy. Without mental space, it difficult to quiet the noise and put things on the blank page.
Anyway, my philosophy lately is to make small, incremental progress. So, the anchor quote for the new journal is from Vincent Van Gogh:
For the great doesn’t happen through impulse alone, and is a succession of little things that are brought together. –Letter 724
Edited 20251225 to link the blog post after I found it. Hurray for the digest file.