đWhat questions do you ask yourself while writing?
For me, the questions we ask ourselves are as important as the habit of journaling. Journaling is like holding a mirror to yourself, and the questions you ask can be incredibly helpful. đ¤ Sometimes, you might answer one general question that shapes your thoughts, or you might prefer a set of questions. What makes questions meaningful is their impact on you. While all questions can be helpful, you might want to choose one or two that resonate most. In this post I wanted to share some questions that you may got your attention.
I’ve divided these questions into two categories: general ones you can always use and more directed ones.
đŹ General Approach:
What makes you happy?
What do you welcome into your life?
What did you do today for fun?
What was the highlight of your day?
What are you looking forward to tomorrow/other days?
What book, movie, or piece of art inspired you most?
What’s the best idea you’ve ever had?
đŹ Directional Approach:
What’s your dream?
How do you want people to remember you?
Why is it important to you?
What are your strengths?
How do you know you’re reaching it?
What makes you resilient?
What can you do to reach your dream?
How will you take action?Â
When you will start to take action?
You can use these questions in any way you like.âşď¸ Combine them or choose just one. Remember, questions are like mirrors, but sometimes you might want to change your perspective. You can also choose how to answer them. There are many ways to journal. Some people start their days with a pen and notebook, others see it as a way to review the day, and some people carry their journals with them to write whenever they need. Which group do you identify with? đ§ŠWhat kind of questions make you feel better? â¨
How do you understand you did something better than before?
Which cues make you feel like you accomplished something?
Yesterday and the day before I was drawing something and saw that I can use more colors than my usual palette. Of course every color is beautiful but there are some colors that I feel closer. Yellow, blue, and green are some of them. I donât usually use black. I prefer darker shades of blue and purple. However like I said before, I used very different shades that I never saw myself using. This made me feel more liberated unlike I imagined.
It was a new feeling for me. Yes I say there are no colors that donât match, using those shades was very new to me. Not only I felt more liberated but also felt more accomplished in my journey.
This is one of my milestones. It may seem minor but it is the reflection of my progress.
Returning to my previous question, how do you know you’ve made progress? âşď¸
Do you know the favorite colors of Mother Nature? I don’t, but I’m very curious indeed. đWhat are her inspirations? How does she match seas and beaches? đď¸ Why are some flowers so colorful while others have only one color? đ¸ There are so many questions I want to ask her!
Sometimes, she gives small hints. She has an apartment in the city and enjoys taking short walks. So, whenever I see her, I ask her these questions. Does she answer the way I want? I’m not sure, but I know she has her own ways. She doesn’t answer fully, but she shows me patterns in her decision-making processes. She tells me that everything has a function and meaning. 𧊠When we ask questions starting with “why,” she changes them to questions starting with “what.” What makes animals in cold continents white, while others are brown? What makes some species of frogs more vividly colored than others?
Every time I go back to my house, I feel closer to her. Does this affect me while drawing new things? Yes, it does. I take her as my role model and sometimes mix colors that I never thought of. There’s only one motivation: I feel happy. What makes me happy reflects my sincerity. Thus, I want to learn more about design and be open to new things. Since Mother Nature moved to the city, I feel happier and more free. Yes, there are bad things happening around us, but even a small glimpse of her smile reminds me that there are ways to heal ourselves. We are very lucky to have her as our neighbor. We don’t need to take big steps. We can start by listening to other people or helping them when they are in need.
âMy dear sister, I believe that at present we must paint natureâs rich and magnificent aspects; we need good cheer and happiness, hope and love. The uglier, older, meaner, iller, poorer I get, the more I wish to take my revenge by doing brilliant colour well.âÂ
This is one of Vincent Van Goghâs quotes about colors. I am a true fan of his paintings. I like blue and yellow more than other colors. I like excitement and movement. Relatively, I like Van Goghâs style indeed very much. Yes I am a minimalist illustrator, but Van Gogh is one of the inspirations in my journey. Like him, I like sun and its joy. Therefore I decided to start new â Artists and their colorsâ writing serie with him. When I was planning the post I looked at many sites but one site shaped my ideas about it;Â https://www.vangoghstudio.com/. There is a link called âYour Daily Dose of Van Goghâ and as a Van Gogh fan I was very excited. I stated to read questions and they were so helpful for me to understand him. I read these short questions and answers that made him more than a painter; an artist in his journey. It was like walking with him in his yellow and blue paintings. I also choose some questions to share with you! They were the ones that made me smile the most. In this post I will mainly be writing about these questions and his letters.
âHow did Van Gogh play with colors?â, â What is the meaning of Van Goghâs colors?â, â How many birdâs nests did Van Gogh paint?â, âHow important were colors to Vincent Van Goghâ, âFor whom did Vincent Van Gogh paint the blossoming almond tree?â , âDid Vincent Van Gogh dream about stars?â, and lastly â Which books did Vincent Van Gogh read?â the questions that I choose. Of course there so many questions I wanted to include, but I wanted to keep this post short.
One of the main reasons that we can have ideas about his life is him writing letters to his brother. They had a very special relationship that carried his legacy to these days. He not only wrote about his artistic perspective but also his influences. Here is some answers that I read to questions above;
Van Gogh looked for contrast in his paintings. Also painting different shades of color next to each other were his play rules.
He used colors as means of light, cheer, happiness, hope and love. They were his influences.
He painted 5 birdâs nest after each other. He was fascinated by their beuty.He also saw them as metaphors.
He liked light. He was excited to paint light and colors were his main tools.Â
This answer and question were the most emotional and joyous one for me. He painted blossoming almond tree for his nephew. He was a good uncle.Â
He dreamt and painted stars more than once.
He read Charles Dickens, Michelet, Carlyle, Balzac and many more writers.
Writing this post was one of the exciting topic; my favorite painter and his colors. Furthermore, learning about his journey made me happier. Him being an uncle and his quote about a good cheer showed his inner world. You can learn more about these questions from this site. I hope you enjoy reading this.Â
With love,
Serra đ
Note; answers and questions are from the site I mentioned above.
People are like lines and shapes. Even when we write something, we use them. For example, consider the letter A. It consists of three lines and a triangle. Like the letter A, there are billions of symbols, both simple and complex. The way we choose to express ourselves through these symbols reveals our personality and authenticity. đŞSome people use them to compose a song, while others draw them in various contexts. In this way, we become our true and unique selves. đ
So what motivates me to draw?
The answer is simple: I love colors and shapes. Using them to represent how I see the world is one of my favorite hobbies. My drawing journey began at a young age. I remember using Miro’s colors and shapes for an art class assignment. đ My father, an architect, recognized my inspiration and encouraged me to draw more. Being the daughter of an architect has also been a significant motivation. I have looked up to him, and nowadays, we often draw together. We discuss colors and drawing tools, and visiting art supply stores is a common routine for both of us. We each have our own materials but also enjoy sharing them. đ
Furthermore, drawing is a form of meditation for me. Whenever I feel down or sad, I start to draw something. It might be a flower that I color, or sometimes, I simply draw random shapes and fill them with vibrant colors. I particularly enjoy using blue, green, yellow, and light pink, which I prefer over red. đ¸
In conclusion, I have many motivations to draw. To keep this brief, I have highlighted a few of them. How do you express yourselves? đą What are your motivations? âď¸
Do you keep a journal? I may keep journals. One for daily thoughts and others for different purposes. Even when I don’t use them all, I feel better for knowing I can use them when I need. How do I use multiple journals? Why are there more than one way? I am a professional coach and re-learning how to take notes about myself was one of the indirect benefits of my journey. Since coaching is mainly based on asking right and powerful questions, I learned and saw different approaches to journaling. Therefore, when I saw something I could practice, I started to add them to my daily life.
So what is this article about?
It is about the benefits of journaling. I decided to write about journaling since I have seen its positive effects in my life. Even if it’s called note-taking in professional and school life, we do write down important things while working, and it is another version of journaling. Of course, we don’t record our feelings or more personal aspects, but when we look at those notebooks, we see what we focused on. Moreover, sometimes we find things that make us happy. I remember my university years and still find more than class notes. Yet, before making this article longer, let’s focus on the benefits of journaling.
Firstly, it is a way of meditation. There are many ways that people choose according to their lifestyles. However, journaling still covers a larger piece by its wide range of options. You may simply write about your day, doodle, write a poem, list your favorite moments… There is no one correct version. The most important thing is how it makes you feel.
Secondly, writing what you want/dream helps you to reach your goals easier. When you write by hand and see what you have written, you define the bigger picture. The key trick here is writing as if you have already reached what you wanted. Imagine how that person lives, what their daily routines are, and other parts of their day. This opens new neurological paths in your brain. By this method, you create new ways and points of view. You explore your inner sources and motivations. You become that person faster rather than waiting to become.
Thirdly, your creativity increases. By writing more about yourself, you see your inner sources as I wrote above. You start to know yourself better and create/add new positive habits.
Lastly, I want to write about a certain method: morning pages. It is from a book by Julia Cameron named “The Artist’s Way.” It is a popular yet effective method.
How do you use this method?
As it is called, you write what you think directly in the morning as the first thing of your day. You write for three pages and stop. While writing, you only write the idea/thought as it is formed in your mind. The important thing here is seeing your flow of thinking and creating new paths.
Putting all these into consideration, there are many benefits of journaling. I choose some of them to share with you. But please always remember that it is a personal preference. What might work for you might not for others. Also, you can use more than one method like me. It’s like an open buffet. Have fun! âď¸
Typing is what I am doing now on a blank pages (nasÄąl yazÄąlÄąr? ) document. Making my thoughts seen to you through a keyword buttons. On the other hand writing is what I did 5 minutes ago to find some references with a pen and notebook. Before making it too complex, the main difference is clicking on a button and drawing a letter therefore a word.
Why it is important to write ? Canât we still create similar things through typing ?
Yes we can, but how we create it matters for our brains. Yes, I said âbrainâ. Brain is an essential organ for all of us. It helps us to live and organize our lives. If we were computers, it is the control room. Our emotions, memories, thoughts, and many more things that makes us are there. Even the things that we didnât do yet. As a professional coach, I’ve researched writing and mind maps in the past. Actually, it is the main reason I started to draw. Drawing and using pen and paper opened a way to more colorful ways of expressing myself. During doing research I read Tony Buzan and learned some tricks. He has many books but I will focus on mind maps.
He says that there is a language that we all share, every human on this planet; imagination association. It is the human language and it is egalitarian. When we draw and use our hands we use multiple intelligences at the same time. Therefore we become more creative. Ideas and thoughts bloom like a flower. This way we remember things easier and organize our lives better. (1)
What are the benefits of writing by hand?
When you write by hand, you avoid distractions. You reduce the probability of seeing other digital notifications on your device.
You remember the things you write better because you both see what you write and feel it. It is a good cognitive exercise.
Relatively, it also helps to shape new ideas and thoughts. (2)
Looking from a different perspective, there are some artists that I enjoy their work that especially use doodles. Shantell Martin is one of them. She only uses a pen and some spaces to draw. In her video she tells that pen knows where it is going and shows what is there. This builds new patterns and awarenesses. (3)
In conclusion, writing by hand has many benefits. There are many perspectives that support those benefits and possible new ones. I could only shared some of them with you. A pen/ pencil is not only a pen but also a magic wand that creates things beyond we can imagine. Plus they come in every shape and color. You can always choose your favorite. Mine is always a black pilot pen. Which is yours?
Creativity is a box in which we put our sources and experiences. The more things we have, the better we use the box. This box has no limits. It is like a custom-made toolbox that one can always add a part to. Creativity is defined in the science world, but definitions have changed as new research outcomes emerged, like the box that can be changed. Yet, there is one main term used that we can focus on: authenticity. Being honest, knowing, and expressing oneself in the most authentic way is the key. It is the main material of the box that can be modified. So how does creativity show itself? Like change, creativity sparks and starts within ourselves.
One of the most daily and practical approaches is using creativity daily. Yet, what does this mean? Creativity is a skill. Itâs not something famous painters or other artists have in common that we donât. It has a simple logic: everyday creativity brings joy and fun out of our lives, and we feel closer to openness to new things and start the change in the world. This is a cycle. Arrows guide us to the same place that we started from, using everyday creativity. There are two points that caught my attention: changing the world and its connections with the famous artists and people I mentioned above. Change may seem very big and hard to reach, but change is the reflection of individual steps toward it. Change starts within ourselves. We cannot change anything without putting ourselves into the equation. Indeed, we are the change. Our behaviors, way of thinking, and approaches create the change. Think of seeing the Mona Lisa; it is very inspiring. You cannot understand how she looks. Moreover, it is a very small painting that has a very long line of visitors. This is the cycle I am writing about. One man draws a portrait of a woman, and people who enjoy art visit it almost every day for a very long time. Not only does Da Vinci become part of the creativity cycle, but also the visitors who are inspired by their French trip. (1)
Going back to the scientific point of view, creativity is based on two systems. The first one is our famous âahaâ moments. They are like notifications from our phones. They may appear whenever they are ready, like an email. However, they may not always be useful as you imagine. Since our brains donât categorize our experiences and knowledge as we do, all of them are very important. They are that important because they are coming from us. Until you redefine them, the system doesnât see the negative connection. Those emails may be from a shop you donât like or someone who brings very good or bad news. That is why the second system comes up: refining the âahaâ moment. This is where you think about possible outcomes and effects in the long run. (2)
How can we be more creative?
There are several ways: thinking inside the box, using and listening to your insights, being grateful, focusing on mindfulness, doing exercises, and getting a good nightâs rest. Being grateful, focusing on mindfulness, doing exercises, and having a good nightâs rest are more explanatory enough to see the relationship, but thinking inside the box and using insight can be explained a little more. (3)
You can think of thinking inside the box as improvisation. You have to start from somewhere. You cannot finish a painting or write a great book ending in the first try. It is a process. Every poem starts with a word. Yes, you can always edit it, but you must be in the creative process to have a flow. Using and listening to your insight is more simple. Sometimes the little voice in our mind tells us something. Something that is very interesting. Before avoiding it, give it a chance to explain itself. They may be useful for you. Of course, you may not find it useful, then thank that voice and smile to it every time it says something to you. You may not know when it will help you. (4)
But why is being creative fun?
It is fun because you have a box of imagination, useful sources, and things you enjoy the most. It is like seeing a unicorn. Not only seeing it but also having it as a pet. The word magic doesnât have a very complicated meaning. It is being able to create things.
Putting all these into consideration, creativity is like a box that we customize ourselves. It has many designs and sizes. Being authentic and curious improves this skill. One thing matters the most: using it joyously and for our self-development. I know this article is long enough to read; I didnât plan to write this long đ, therefore I will end it very soon. However, I would like to ask some questions that may enrich your creativity: Which activities do you enjoy the most? Especially which of them make you more creative? What can you add to these activities?
Can you imagine a colorful bird? đŚâ⏠And ask your friends their definitions of a colorful bird. I won’t be there, but I can guess some differences between your definitions. They might be the tones of the colors or the colors themselves. When you ask me to imagine a colorful bird, the marvelous spatuletail hummingbird comes to mind. Why does it come to mind? Because its name doesnât start with âmarvelousâ for no reason. You can search and see it. đ Of course, we all might have different answers, and they are all beautiful. All of them are beautiful because you imagined them. ⨠If you ask why I am speaking of birds and their beauty, you are right, I kept the intro very long. đ Nature is one of my primary sources of inspiration, and I found imagining a colorful bird approach useful for this article. đ¤
Nature is very colorful. It has various tones of many colors and patterns. The fashion industry is often inspired by Mother Nature herself. And here is the good news: Mother Nature doesnât follow any certain rules. Its main rule is being functional in nature. Those colors and patterns have meanings for those beings. Yet there is one thing that cannot be missed: nature has an authenticity. It shows if you use colors the way you like, those colors match. â What matters is the tone, not the color. If it is the right tone, it is matched.
Moreover, the way we use colors is expressing ourselves. Some of us may like pastel tones and others donât. This doesnât make a color bad. It only shows peopleâs preferences. Think of painters and sculptors. The most famous have their own unique styles. They use colors and tools authentically and build their identity. Whenever we see similar things, we say, âIt can be his/hers.â Of course, their styles may change according to their journey, but what stays the same? Being open to new things and flexible always makes you better.
Mother Nature bought a house in the city! She plans to use her new house when she wants to see new movies and musicals. A reporter asked her â Why do you plan to live here ? Is it true that you named your dog green?â She put down her last box and replied â I am planning use this house especially during festival times. I am a big fan of every form of art. Of course I will keep my other houses. Forests and oceans are always my favorite places but spending time with friends is always a good idea. And yes, I named my dog green. Donât ask why. It is very personalâ
She was very kind and loving when she answered the questions. Then she opened the door of the building. Nowadays I donât know what she does or which show she enjoyed the most but rumor has it she enjoys Vivaldiâs Four Seasons. I have met with some of her neighbors and they told me she is very nice, she wakes up very early and waters her plants. They say â Even the smell of the soil in her pots is enough to make them smile.â Itâs been not that long but city started to bloom. Wherever she goes, there are small sprouts, happy animals, and thriving trees. Flowers prefer more colorful clothes to wear and trees give more fruits. Have you seen any similar signs ?
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