#greenlights

Strike

I know I could do a better job of practicing what I preach, but I’ve also learned that if the message is true, don’t forget it, and forgive the messenger, even if he does.

Back in 2021 I had probably one of the worst weeks of my life for a dozen reasons, and with the exception of my nieces and nephews I don’t know how I could have functioned through it.

One moment in particular is how excited they all were to visit the local Free Little Library (even if, to be honest, they weren’t reading yet). And being the fun Auntie who also loves books, I took them on over myself.

Most of the time my curiosity gets the best of me, however I never go there actually expecting a well known publication that I either haven’t read, don’t already own, or have any interest in.

That day in July was different, because at the insistence of the little ones I too skimmed through the collection, and noticed in the corner was a brand new copy of Matthew McConaughey’s recent (at that time) autobiography Greenlights.

Overall I tend to go for fiction, but for kicks I actually opened the cover and found the references to him keeping a journal. In that moment my brain clicked and I took it home.

This autobiographical account is still amongst my top rereads even now, not only because of the emotional impact that I carried through that week, but also because of the poetic linguistics of the book itself.

As a journal aficionado, if there’s something I love, often I’ll replicate it in or on a journal cover. Now, while I am aware that there is an officially published companion to this autobiography, personally it was not to my taste in format. Unique for sure, but nothing I would be able to feel comfortable spending the money or the time on.

Fast forward to where I’ve been low key trying to match the colors of the book enough to have one of my own, and everything never quite made the distinct impact. Far too dark, or far too pale for the enriching tan.*

Yesterday was another intensely emotional weird one, and to avoid the chaos I found myself on a trip to Five Below. With no internalized hesitstion filter on over buying another journal, I found one that after almost five years, caught my eye—-

There have been multiple wood grain versions of this design recently, and I was more tempted by a darker and richer color, but this one felt more appropriate for the moment.

When I came home I got to work;

First, here is the journal alone.

Next is Matthew’s book without the dust cover.

After adding a sticker I have kept in the archives—

Then comparing the finished product to the OG

I can now say with absolute certainty this was the right choice and that another journal hunt has been achieved. I know it’s not an exact match but I have no regrets because it just adds the personal touch that makes it mine.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for coming to my Journal Ted Talk ❤️❤️❤️