The Read Well Podcast

Episode 113: Learn to Journal Like Ralph Waldo Emerson

Host: Eddy Hood
Date: October 6, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Eddy Hood wraps up his multi-part series on journaling by exploring the methods and philosophies of Ralph Waldo Emerson. The episode covers Emerson’s flexible and thoughtful journaling technique, his unique indexing system, and how his famous essay “Self-Reliance” can inspire deeper personal reflection through journaling. Hood also shares practical advice and personal anecdotes to empower listeners to journal more freely and meaningfully, ending with a related philosophical book recommendation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Value of Slow, Intentional Reading and Thinking

• Eddy emphasizes the importance of slowing down and making time for meaningful reading and reflection.
  “A call to action to slow down, right, to hit pause on your day and think about something that matters to you and to find a book that matters to that topic and spend some real quality time with it.” (02:45)
• Gives context by discussing how phone habits have displaced book reading and the benefits of carrying a book everywhere.

2. Emerson’s Approach to Journaling

• Emerson used both topic-specific journals and a freeform 'stream of consciousness' journal.
  Hood shares how this liberated Emerson’s creativity and recommends letting go of anxieties about mixing different topics within one journal.
• Quote:
  “The more constraint mentally and emotionally we put onto our journals, the harder they are to use.” (08:50)
• Key advice:
  Avoid overcomplicating your system or making it too restrictive; journaling should be emotionally sustainable and easy.

Tip: Mixing Topics in a Single Journal

• It is okay to blend notes, musings, grocery lists, and philosophical insights within a single notebook. This reduces mental barriers to journaling and enhances regular use.

3. Emerson’s Indexing Method (with Modern Enhancements)

• Emerson’s simple system: After writing, list bullet points for each key topic at the top of the page.
• At the end of the notebook (or on the back cover), aggregate these topics into an index, noting the relevant pages for each.
• Hood recommends using Excel to organize and alphabetize topics for even greater clarity and retrievability.
• Quote:
  “You need to feel like you can go into these journals, be yourself, find yourself, and develop your best ideas.” (10:22)
• Page numbering is crucial. Manually number pages if necessary for easier indexing and future retrieval.
• Example:
  “Gardening: 4, 12, 48, 106. Philosophy: 7, 96. Shopping: 104.” (17:44)

Multiple Topic Cross-Referencing

• Pages can be indexed under multiple topics, making it easier to find entries related to quotes, themes, or authors.

4. Using Journaling to Think Better

• Emerson wrote to clarify his thoughts, prepare for speeches, and fuel his public work. Journaling was primarily for strengthening his original thinking, not for mere record-keeping.

5. Lessons from "Self-Reliance" Applied to Journaling

Hood selects five Emerson quotes from “Self-Reliance” with direct relevance to building a powerful journaling habit.

a. “Speak your latent conviction.”

• Journaling is a tool for developing internal, often unarticulated beliefs and values.
• Eddy’s method:
  Look up and annotate challenging words, substitute definitions into the text for greater clarity.
• Quote:
  “Speak your existing but not yet developed conviction… a journal is a beautiful tool for helping us do that.” (29:10)

b. “Envy is ignorance. Imitation is suicide.”

• Emerson urges individuals to record and develop their unique thoughts rather than merely echoing received wisdom.
• Discusses how journaling supports independent thinking and the value of disagreeing with the “sages of the past.”
• Quote:
  “If we spend our lives just imitating others…we are missing our ability to stand up and be self-reliant.” (33:21)

c. “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”

• Critique of clinging to habits, projects, or even books that no longer serve you.
• Hood challenges the notion that you must always finish what you start, especially with books that are no longer meaningful to you.
• Quote:
  “We know this is a ship we should not be on…But we do it because we’re emotionally attached…that is a foolish consistency.” (36:15)

d. “Man is timid and apologetic. He dares not say, ‘I think, I am.’”

• Journaling is a private space to achieve self-knowledge—apart from social pressures or groupthink.
• Quote:
  “When you’re in your journal, you can become yourself. And the more time you spend with yourself, the more you become yourself.” (43:45)

e. “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”

• Journals offer clarity and momentum when working through personal challenges.
• Hood acknowledges common fears about privacy and offers practical solutions:
  • Use a safe
  • Burn completed journals as a form of catharsis
  • Accept that loved ones may understand your humanity through your honesty
• Quote:
  “When I get those thoughts on paper, I instantly feel more clarity. And clarity gives me a way forward. And when I have a way forward, I have momentum.” (48:50)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On journaling method:
  “If you make your system so complex…then you’re going to turn to your journals and think, ‘ugh, I just don’t have the emotional energy or time to journal, so I’ll do it tomorrow.’” (09:40)

• On annotation and word study:
  “Anytime I come to a word on a page I don’t fully understand the definition of, I’ll circle that word and put a number at the top…then write the definition at the bottom of the page.” (29:54)

• On disagreeing with authors:
  “We reserve our yellow highlighters for times in the book where we disagree with our authors. And I encourage people to have conversations with Plato or Shakespeare…” (35:40)

• On privacy and burning journals:
  “I have one member in my book club who…burns the thing. She has a sort of ceremony that lets all of those bad thoughts go…” (53:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Episode intro, journaling series recap | | 03:10 | The cultural shift from books to phones | | 08:10 | Emerson’s journaling habits and topic blending | | 15:20 | Emerson’s flexible indexing system | | 28:00 | Reading and annotating “Self-Reliance” | | 29:10 | “Speak your latent conviction”—embracing self-honesty in journaling | | 33:21 | “Envy is ignorance. Imitation is suicide”—developing your own voice | | 36:15 | “A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds”—letting go of unhelpful habits | | 43:45 | “Man is timid and apologetic. He dares not say…”—the importance of private self-examination | | 48:50 | “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself”—journaling for clarity and healing | | 53:05 | Handling privacy concerns and creative solutions | | 54:45 | Book recommendation: Open Socrates by Agnes Callard | | 58:00 | Episode wrap-up and closing thoughts |

Book Recommendation

Open Socrates: The Case for a Philosophical Life by Agnes Callard

• Hood explains the value of reading modern authors who clarify the insights of classic thinkers like Socrates.
• Relates Socratic questioning to journaling’s role in cultivating an “examined life.”

Final Note

Eddy Hood’s closing message is a reminder to:

• “Read slowly, take notes, and apply the ideas.” (59:15)

He encourages listeners to embrace the freedom of Emerson-style journaling and pursue their own intellectual journeys with curiosity and honesty.

For more on reading, book notes, and intellectual tools, visit: thereadwellpodcast.com