Lists

16 Jun

The art of writing lists has a long tradition. Sei Shonagon wrote lists daily in her pillow book, as lady in waiting to Empress Sadako in Japan between the years 994 and 1001.

Here is an extract:

26. Things that make your heart beat fast

A sparrow with nestlings.

Going past a place where tiny children are playing.

Lighting some fine incense and then lying down alone to sleep.

Looking into a Chinese mirror that’s a little clouded.

A fine gentleman pulls up in his carriage and sends in some request.

To wash your hair, apply your makeup and put on clothes that are well-scented with incense. Even if you’re somewhere where no one special will see you, you still feel a heady sense of pleasure inside.

On a night when you’re waiting for someone to come, there’s a sudden gust of rain and something rattles in the wind, making your heart suddenly beat faster.

64. Surprising and Distressing Things

While one is cleaning a decorative comb, something catches in the teeth and the comb breaks.

A carriage overturns. One would have imagined that such a solid, bulky object would remain forever on its wheels. It all seems like a dream -- astonishing and senseless.

A child or grown-up blurts out something that is bound to make people uncomfortable.

All night long one has been waiting for a man who one thought was sure to arrive. At dawn, just when one has forgotten about him for a moment and dozed off, a crow caws loudly. One wakes up with a start and sees that it is daytime -- most astonishing.

One of the bowmen in an archery contest stands trembling for a long time before shooting; when finally he does release his arrow, it goes in the wrong direction.

And Marion Milner, who was exploring diary writing and therapy, published these lists in 1934 as part of her book, A Life of One’s Own:

Things I hate

Things that are meaningless and full of detail.

Suburban roads and houses.

Lace curtains.

Being ignored.

Fussy dresses.

Making a fool of myself.

Being laughed at.

Being in disagreement with people.

Being disapproved of.

Glaring lights, unshaded.

Being copied in my attempts to be original.

Being made to feel conspicuous.

Old society ladies.

Frittering time on household necessities especially when it's fine.

Spending a lot of money on something I don't like.

Being cold, having wet feet.

Being conspicuous, having arguments in public places or being unsuitably dressed.

Having my taste or actions criticized. Quarrels between my friends.

People taking it for granted that they can share my things.

Being made use of.

Earnest, dowdy or arty women.

Pompous men.

Velvet and plush chairs.

The suggestion or feeling that you are dominated by anyone.

Hearing about the good times anyone is having if you consider those people your equals or inferiors in general.

Things I love

Flowers, light and colours.

The patience of cart-horses.

The abandon and moods of dogs.

Sharing an idea in conversation when minds move together.

Bodily sensations, hot sun, wind, rhythm, relaxation after exercise, water and fire.

The sense of strangers’ moods arising from a glimpse of their faces and attitudes.

Confidences from people – strangers or friends.

Companionably sharing things, forestalling someone's need.

Getting at what someone is driving at in a play or picture.

Fairs, loitering in a crowd.

Beginning nice things.

Old implements.

Traditional knowledge for tilling the soil, seamanship and crafts: as opposed to efficiency methods.

Intricate mechanisms that are not man made.

Freedom from possessions.

Buying things.

Good food.

Laughing.

Hands and human skin.

Attraction towards a person.

A new idea when first it is grasped.

People singing out of doors.

Clean clothes.

And here are my lists:

Things that feel therapeutic about writing alone

Capturing memories on the page, remembering details you thought you’d forgotten.

Taking the time to find just the right word or way of saying something that would have escaped you if you had tried to say it out loud.

Noticing, then recording sensory details. Being in the moment to really see, smell, hear, touch, taste.

The unexpected connections that happen when writing. One thing leading to another. Being open to the magic.

Showing how it feels to be you.

Being able to take emotionally powerful memories and take away their power by turning them into a story.

The physical rhythmic act of moving a pen across a page.

Knowing that everything you experience can be written later. Finding meaning in those experiences.

Keeping a record to help self-understanding.

The fun, enjoyment and sheer pleasure of creative ideas and play with words and language. Losing yourself in your own imagination.

Things that feel therapeutic about writing in groups

Sharing what you see or think. Having others validate and deepen your thoughts and experiences.

The magic, creative, powerful energy in the room.

Fun and laughter as we play and try new things together. Always.

Feeling heard. And in that moment, discovering your voice, your story, your take on the world.

One story, memory or moment shared sparks another in you.

Connecting with an object, photograph, piece of music or a line in a poem that inspires you to make your own.

Writing something surprising. That you would never have thought of otherwise.

Being taken on a journey in your thoughts.

Writing something pleasing. You can’t believe the words you’ve just written in ten minutes are your own.

Writing prompt

You know what’s coming! Write a list. Make up a heading or use one from above.

Write the numbers down the side of the page before you begin (or set yourself a number) - 10, 30 or 100 are good places to start. Then, to reach your number target, you end up digging deeper. You also know where to stop. Feel free also to ignore the numbering!

Write the list in one sitting, write what comes to mind and don’t worry about repeating.

If you’d like to share it wider or create a list poem - once you’ve written your initial list, look for unifying themes, underline phrases you particularly like. Be specific in the details, so you’re creating images. And edit out superfluous words. Then write out on a fresh page.