I've taken a long, hard look at myself

Every first line from one diary

Oct 04, 2024

I’ve been meaning to and wanting to write for several weeks, but life has just been busy with this and that. Usually, it takes a few days in total to get these newsletters together, from choosing the diary entries I’ll focus on, to working out what I want to say, to saying it in a way that feels right, to photographing the extracts, to more writing and writing, editing and editing, formatting, and all of that.

So rather than waiting until I have a magical few days where I can sit down and get it all together — I’m trying something different! And quick! And fun! (I think.)

It’s pretty simple: I’ve taken one diary (the flowery one I’m posing with in the photo above) and I’m sharing the first line of every entry from that diary, in a single list.

I think it’s interesting to see the different ways I’d begin an entry, from the quite mundane: Going round to dad’s soon; to the rather dramatic: A part of me has died; with a big milestone thrown in for good measure: I started my period on Tuesday.

So check it out below, and here’s an invitation: let me know which opening lines you’d like to know more about. Choose one or two that you’re drawn to or are intrigued by. I’ll also ask my followers on Instagram to do this, and in the next newsletter I’ll dive into the most popular choices. You can either comment here on the post, or go to Insta, or hit reply if you’re reading this via email. I always love hearing from you, any way you like.

Here we go.

First lines: August 1993 to June 1994 (age 12 to 13)

I’ve taken a long hard look at myself, and I’ve decided to go for it.
I had this great dream about some squatters who lived in our basement.
A part of me has died.
I’ve never really liked him, he gets right on my nerves and yet sometimes I feel glad to see him.
I only want to talk happy today.
Well, it was ok.
I think it’s going to happen.
Well, Mum and **** are ok.
Going round to Dad’s soon.
This has got to be one of the happiest days I’ve ever had.
I don’t like me today.
Well, not much change at school, but I try not to think about it.
March has gone bleeding fast!
We’ve been robbed of victory.
I can’t wait!
Just lately, I’ve been thinking about lads a right lot.
Today, I’ve done my fitness training, and about 30 minutes ago, I did some exercises up here in my room.
I missed April Fool’s Day.
Hiya!
Guess what?
Back at school, bugger.
Today, I asked if I could go to Austria with school.
Went to see the kittens on Saturday.
I started my period on Tuesday.
Forgot to tell you I went to see the kittens last Sunday (again).
This has to be the worst day ever.
It took five days.
Everything’s ok now, Mum’s ok too.
Well, I babysat.
Hi there, what a traumatic few days!
Hi di-ary.
It’s 11.14 pm, just had quite a heart-to-heart with Mum.
It’s June!!!!!!
Not bad today considering first day back after a brill holiday, and so much happened today.
**** is a persistent liar.

Quite a broad scope of wild claims mixed with boring observations, I think. Plus kitten-looking.

Which ones are you keen to hear more about? Let me know!

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Back soon! With more!

Teresa x

Other places you can find me and my work:

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Instagram: Where I share some behind-the-scenes stuff about my diaries, this newsletter, and LIFE.

Etsy: Where you can take a look at all of my current zines, and see what folks are saying about them in the reviews.