A Lifetime Conversation
Connective Journaling
Last week someone asked me if I journal. The question lingered, not because I couldn't answer it, but because my answer felt unusual. I don’t journal in the traditional sense. I don’t keep a leather-bound notebook filled with dated entries or pages lined with reflections. Instead, for the past 40 years, I’ve engaged in something far more enduring and intimate; a lifetime correspondence with a dear friend.
This correspondence has become my journal, a shared space where two lives unfold in words, thoughts, and emotions. It's a place where we’ve poured everything - big or small, raw or refined, profound or mundane. Thoughts once tangled in my mind have been given life and then released into the ether of shared understanding.
Some of those words have been kept, tucked away in letters and emails. Many though, are lost forever, carried only in the moment they were read and understood. Yet every word was caught by another human being, held briefly with care, and then let go.
Over the years, this exchange has become a cornerstone of my life, offering a rhythm of catching, holding, and releasing. It has allowed me to express my deepest secrets, fears, hopes, and dreams in a way that feels safe and freeing. This correspondence has been more than just a conversation. It’s been a practice, a ritual, and, ultimately, a gift.
This lifetime practice has taught me some invaluable lessons:
Being vulnerable without shame: Writing without the filter of expectation or self-judgment has been liberating. There’s power in knowing that my words are met with compassion rather than critique.
Listening without judgment: As much as I’ve shared, I’ve also received. My friend’s words have reminded me of the importance of holding space for others, even when I don’t have answers.
Speaking without fear of reprisal: This correspondence has been a sanctuary, a place where honesty flourishes and fear is unwelcome.
Loving without expectation: The mutual exchange of words over decades has shown me that love exists in the act of showing up, not in expecting something in return.
Being a friend for a lifetime: There’s a profound intimacy in holding someone’s stories for decades, just as they’ve held mine.
For me, this lifetime conversation is more than journaling. It is a testament to connection, trust, and the enduring power of words. It has offered me clarity in chaos, solace in sorrow, and celebration in joy. It has taught me to be human.
So, to the person who asked if I journal: my answer is yes. I journal in a way that has transformed my life, not in solitude but in connection. It is a practice I cherish, and one that has gifted me lessons I will carry forever.
And for those of you that have ever felt like you’re not doing something the “right” way, ask yourself: who decides what’s right? What if your way is exactly what you need?
Perhaps, like me, you’ll find that doing things your own way isn’t just acceptable, it is the most authentic gift you can give yourself.
And, if you’ve ever thought about starting a journal, consider this: what would it look like to make your journaling a shared experience? Who in your life might hold your words and, in turn, share theirs with you?
You might find, as I have, that a lifetime of correspondence is one of the greatest gifts you could ever give or receive.
Alida Al-Saadi
About the Author
Alida Al-Saadi is a Disruption Expert and thought partner dedicated to helping people navigate uncertainty, upheaval, and transformation. With over 30 years of experience as a talent and organization consultant, executive coach, and futurist, Alida empowers others to embrace change and uncover opportunities in the midst of life’s messy moments. Her work is rooted in authenticity, connection, and systems thinking, with a passion for fostering personal growth and creating meaningful impact. Connect with her to explore new ways of thriving in an ever-changing world.
