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Swimming pool Quote by Oliver Sacks

“I started keeping journals when I was fourteen and at last count had nearly a thousand. They come in all shapes and sizes, from little pocket ones which I carry around with me to enormous tomes. I always keep a notebook by my bedside, for dreams as well as nighttime thoughts, and I try to have one…” quote by Oliver Sacks
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““I started keeping journals when I was fourteen and at last count had nearly a thousand. They come in all shapes and sizes, from little pocket ones which I carry around with me to enormous tomes. I always keep a notebook by my bedside, for dreams as well as nighttime thoughts, and I try to have one by the swimming pool or the lakeside or the seashore; swimming too is very productive of thoughts which I must write, especially if they present themselves, as they sometimes do, in the form of whole sentences or paragraphs… But for the most part, I rarely look at the journals I have kept for the greater part of a lifetime. The act of writing is itself enough; it serves to clarify my thoughts and feelings. The act of writing is an integral part of my mental life; ideas emerge, are shaped, in the act of writing. My journals are not written for others, nor do I usually look at them myself, but they are a special, indispensable form of talking to myself.””

Oliver Sacks

About This Quote

Source Interview: Oliver Sacks on Journaling, 1995

Writing privately helps organize thoughts, emotions, and memories, turning internal dialogue into a tangible record that clarifies the mind.

In simple terms: Journaling clarifies thoughts and feelings.

Key Takeaway

Write regularly to understand yourself.

Themes

self‑reflection creativity mental health memory introspection

Mood

contemplative introspective calm

Type

personal reflective

When to use this quote

  • daily reflection
  • travel journaling
  • creative brainstorming
  • therapy sessions

Key Concepts

cognitive processing self‑dialogue emotional regulation

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does private writing change your perception of daily events?
  • What patterns emerge when you review old entries?
A Different Perspective

Journaling may become a habit that feels burdensome if over‑documented.

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