Writing As Catharsis

 By: Lea McDowell

A Journey to Journaling

Photo Courtesy of Jim Kirby

 As I sit in the stillness of my sunroom, at the halfway point of a year turned upside down, I search my synapses for something soothing. 

 

During a time of being home so often, I’ve admittedly become somewhat stagnant in my day to day routine. Each day looks similar to the previous, and this can be wonderful for a number of factors (work, mealtime, etc.), however it can also leave much to be desired. With trips and plans being cancelled how is one to experience the surprising wonders of the world?

 

I sat and pondered the delights I longed for and the places that seemed out of my grasp. Dreaming my day away left me full of wanderlust and I finally realized what I could do to help myself, and hopefully others, too. 

 

Photo Courtesy of Jim Kirby

I tired myself of thinking and sat down with a pen and paper. Perhaps the adventures I’d been dreaming of could be conjured from my own mind and experienced as I’d write them out. I found myself describing mountain peaks and cool valleys, imagining I was laying on my back in the soft sun watching birds and butterflies. Being able to enjoy the sight of slow-moving water, ideally in the morning when there is dew on the grass and all others are asleep. The fragrant grasses and blossoms touch and tickle my nose (and in the imagination allergies don’t exist!)

 

The common theme through all of my written journeys became clear when I was revisiting them, and that is Harpers Ferry. Every dreamscape I conjured up was and seems to be at the Ferry. Its magic infuses even the most unconscious of daydreams of mine and I’m certain it has countless others spellbound as well.

 

Something that has helped me get back into the swing of writing for enjoyment has been journal prompts, especially those that encourage imagination and the natural world. I have included some prompts for you, dear reader. My hope is that you can tap into your expansive creative mind and take a written escapade to some of your favorite places or memories in Harpers Ferry. 

 

Journaling Prompts:

 

In times of unease, journaling has been shown to help reduce stress. Below are three journaling prompts designed to help reroute your mind to a more peaceful state, and remember, the more detailed the better!

     1.) What was your first experience at Harpers Ferry? 

 
You can write about who you were with, what season it was, what place is most memorable for you. Try to remember as many details as you can. 

     2.) What do you love most about the Ferry? 

Maybe it’s the history and the feeling of almost traveling back in time when you visit. Perhaps it is nature, serene and untouched.

     3.)What are some lessons you have learned from Harpers Ferry? 

Have you received a history lesson? Did you hike or spend time on the water, and if so, how has that stuck with you?

 

Along with these prompts, our Walker's Guide to Harpers Ferry (8th ed., 2016) by David Gilbert is a wonderful resource to revisit Harpers Ferry from home until parks are safe to open. It walks you point by point through Harpers Ferry with various formats of information (written, photos, maps, etc). 

 

Would you rather have a stunning coffee table book filled with glossy colored pages of photography? No problem! Check out Harpers Ferry: A Crossroads in Time by Jim Kirby and immerse yourself in a wonderland of history and beauty. 

 

The Harpers Ferry Park Association also has beautiful old-fashioned journals for sale with ribbon page markers and colorful faux leather binding. This is the perfect place to write your innermost thoughts and ideas. 

 

If you feel so inclined, please share some of your writing with us at info@hfpawv.org 

 

All items listed above are for sale at harpersferryhistory.org. 

Be well and enjoy the journey!

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Author Bio:

Lea McDowell is a Sales and Visitor Experience Specialist at Harpers Ferry Park Association. She finds inspiration in the rich history of the Ferry and the boundless flora and fauna that surround it. She has written for newspapers such as The Daily Athenaeum and Shepherd University’s Picket. Lea enjoys crafting literary dreamscapes that celebrate natural places and our relationship with them.