Zibaldone – a new word for an old habit
Establishing a habit requires persistence and commitment. That said, by conditioning ourselves to repeat something regularly and with consistency, we also risk becoming inflexible, entrenched, and hardwired in narrow minded ways.
That’s why we also need to approach our habits with fresh eyes, and healthy doses of curiosity and creativity.
After thirty years of writing in my journal, I remain fascinated by the gifts that my practice continues to deliver. As I leave the comfort of my bed and pad my way to the kitchen to make my morning coffee, I move in the direction of my desk, open my notebook to a fresh page, and wonder, “What will I learn about myself today?”
Each morning, I give myself the gift of a blank page, a fresh start, so to speak. Each morning, I write in silence, giving myself time and space to think, to reflect, to look for insight and probe my interior world for a deeper understanding of myself, of others, and of the world around me. Each morning I look for new views along the well-worn paths of my personal hopes, dreams, fears, anxieties and biases. My dream is to stay cognitively fit, alert and resilient. Writing is part of my mental fitness regime. It is also an act of self-care and reconfirming my personal sense of agency. As in — “you’ve got this, Sweet heart.” Talking kindly to oneself is also a learned skill.
Some mornings, I need to pique my curiousity by reading something from beyond my dream world and today I found the word “Zibaldone” plural “Zibaldoni”.
“Yes!” I said and the corners of my mouth immediately turned up.
What a great word. And then, there is the need to commit to memory, so I do some word association – sounds a bit like the ice cleaning machine, a Bald Zamboni?
Apparently, a zibaldoni is a term for a notebook, Italian vernacular for the “commonplace book of the late 14th century defined as a “strange melange of diary, ledger, doodle pad, scrap book… that served as a pattern for interior life bringing comfort and inspiration to everyone from Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Carroll.”
Writing in a zibaldoni, or a journal helps citizens make sense of what they were seeing, reading, becoming, in a rapidly changing world. My writing habit is a chance for my interior life to reframe its focus, reassure its purpose and continually seek find inspiration.
The trick to keeping the habits fresh, invigorating and to best advantage relates to staying open-minded. Writing honestly is a safe way to challenge yourself, ask yourself questions and creatively spice your thoughts with curiosity, by asking, “I wonder… is that really true?”
Habits are fine, but when it comes to writing and gratitude, I need to keep challenging myself and sharpening my tools in ways that will help me flourish, keep learning and growing.
As much as I go to my zibaldoni in order to find comfort and renewal, I am also trying to make sense of the world.
It’s Thursday April 3, 2025 – I always make note of the date and year. This morning, I reading about fear and uncertainty, seeking comfort and reassurance that “this too shall pass”. With gratitude for my mother’s voice. Again.
In addition to fear of public speaking, fear of snakes, fear of flying, fear of needles, there are various other common fears such as:
Fear of death
Fear of uncertainty – Fear of danger, of taking risks or making hard decisions
Fear of Isolation – Fear of abandonment, of being disconnected, not belonging
Fear of Failure – loss of face, embarrassment
Fear of Rejection, Criticism
Fear of Inadequacy — Imposter syndromeFear of responsibility, accountability,
Fear of Loss of Control – Fear of authority figures
Interestingly, the antidote to fear? Is to find the courage to face it which is easier if you have a growth mindset and can focus on the positives.
Write. Appreciate. Recalibrate. This remains my mantra and commitment to write every day; deliberately look for glimmers of goodness; recalibrate with a personal belief in my resilience while facing each fresh page with courage, confidence and compassion for yourself – and for others. When we commit to creativity and facing fear head on, we are once again enjoying old skills with fresh perspectives.
Take the Creativity Pledge: To create without fear of judgement. To accept criticism and not be burdened by it…
