Last year, I stopped keeping a journal for a while because it no longer felt helpful. In the time that I stopped, I realised that I still had the urge to write things that were just for myself.

Writing has always helped me make sense of all the emotions and thoughts swirling around in my mind. I always feel better after writing and around the age of 14 or 15 I realised that it was because it allows me to transmute my feelings.

Sometimes, months or even years later when I look back on things I’ve written, it amazes me that I’ve been able to truly capture moments in my life through words.

Even when I was going through the most challenging year of my life I was still putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys) on a regular basis. Following on from that, I can definitely say that writing has been a key component in helping me heal from heartbreak.

A few years ago I went through a phase of writing poetry inspired by the works of Dickens and his themes of change, loss and love.

‘I’ve missed you dearly

I must confess…’

Above is the first 2 lines of a short poem I wrote in Autumn 2016 about an experience that I went through. Yet over 18 months later this piece resonates with many other things that I’ve experienced and even the experiences of the people around me.

Anyway, I’m back keeping a journal once more and though things have changed it remains a comforting act.

I dunno,’ Arthur said. ‘I forget what I was taught. I only remember what I’ve learnt.’

The Solid Mandala