into the journal: iris diane palma
07
This feature series examines how and why people journal, because no two practices are identical. Appreciating the journal as a sacred inner world for uninhibited wandering and wondering.
If you have a journaling practice that you’d like to share about here, email me at evapberezovsky(at)gmail(dot)com.
iris diane palma
Hello! My name is Iris Diane Palma and I’m based in Brooklyn, NYC. I’m the creator of Flowers in Cinema on Instagram and Substack — a place where I dive into the symbolism, history and storytelling magic of flowers in film. Having worked in both the floral and film industries, it felt only natural to bring my two biggest passions together in one project.
origins
Back in elementary school, our teacher used to give us ten minutes each day to write in these journals she passed out at the beginning of the year. We could write about anything: how our day was going, what we did over the weekend, or even what we had at snack time.
At the time, it felt simple and almost trivial. But I now realize those quiet minutes were my first introduction to self-reflection. I was learning, without even knowing it, to pay attention to my thoughts and feelings. I often wish I still had those journals. There was something comforting about the feel of a No. 2 pencil in my hand and the wide, lined pages. I’ve always been drawn to life documentation in all its forms, but writing was my first.
language
I’ve always been drawn to the word “diary.” It feels personal, like a space meant only for me. My diary holds my most honest thoughts and emotions. I only write in it when I’m home and it never leaves my apartment. I’d be devastated if I ever lost it or if someone read it.
To me, “notebook” means something else entirely. A notebook is for grocery lists, ideas, scribbles, and everything that doesn’t need to stay private. I keep several notebooks scattered between my nightstand and my purse.
My diary is where I process what I feel; my notebooks are where I keep what I need.
I also keep a dedicated Flowers in Cinema notebook. There, I log timestamps from films whenever I spot flowers on screen, whether it’s a single stem or an elaborate bouquet. It’s where I record my initial observations, research notes, and thoughts that might later find their way into a Substack newsletter. This notebook has become essential to my writing process. If a film features a particularly striking bouquet or floral arrangement, you’ll likely find me writing about it the moment I step out of the theater, while the details are still fresh in my mind.
routine
I don’t have a consistent writing routine, but I try not to be too hard on myself when I miss a day.
When I do write, it’s usually in the morning while I’m eating breakfast at my kitchen table. I light an incense stick and write until the smoke fades. It’s a perfect stretch of time to capture my thoughts when they feel clear and honest, but it’s not long enough to get tangled in overthinking.
Evenings are quieter, slower moments when I like to really settle in and let my mind wander, writing for as long or as little as I need. There’s no special ritual. I’m usually on the couch or the floor.
I just got a membership to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and lately I’ve been going two or three times a week. It’s become my favorite place to read and write surrounded by flowers and the soft murmur of people passing by. There’s something grounding about being in that rhythm of nature and movement.
purpose
I write because I have a fear of forgetting. Maybe it sounds silly, but I don’t want the small, everyday moments of my life to slip away. Writing lets me hold onto not just my happiest and saddest memories, but also the tiny details: the lipstick I wore that day or the quiet observations from an evening walk. I like to think I’m writing for future-me — someone who will one day be grateful to have these journals as a window back to these fleeting moments.
evolution
I used to be so precious about my writing practice. I needed the prettiest notebooks, stationery, pens, and stickers. My handwriting had to be perfect or else I felt it wasn’t worth writing at all. It took me years to realize that, because of this, my notebooks were never truly full, and I hated that. My pages are now filled with incompetent sentences, messy scribbles, and embarrassing thoughts, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’d much rather look back and read unfiltered entries than anything overly polished.
rereading
I love going back to my journal entries no matter how long ago they were written. Sometimes I’ll read an entry from the previous week, and other times from five years ago. I don’t cringe or judge my writing because I know how honest I was in those moments and I would never judge myself for that. Those pages remind me that I’ve lived a life full of feeling: cluttered, sentimental, and beautiful. Especially in moments when I forget, my journals help me remember.
medium & material
I’ve never tried digital journaling because I’m afraid of losing it, as technology never feels permanent to me. That said, I do appreciate how much more quickly I can capture my thoughts when typing.
I used to love Moleskine softcovers with grid pages, but now I use a cheap and simple Muji notebook. I picked this one because it looks the nicest on my bookshelf and I like the idea of sticking with the same notebook for years. What I love most about it is how low-stakes and casual it feels. I don’t have to be precious with it. I can toss it in my bag or spill coffee on the pages and not worry at all.
utensil of choice
I’ve always been a fan of these Muji gel ink pens. But recently, on a whim at McNally Jackson, I picked up a Pilot G-Tec-C3. Now I’m hooked! I never really understood people who are obsessed with their pens and loyal to just one kind, but now I get it. This pen glides so smoothly and writes so thinly, it almost looks like a pencil on the page.
a recent entry
Diary: June 1, 2025 at my kitchen table around 10am /
why does he have read receipts on???
Notebook: June 3, 2025 on my couch around 3pm /
grocery list:
-sourdough bread
-jasmine rice
-chicken apple sausage
*
Thank you for having me again, Eva! You’re always an inspiration to me <3
( My pleasure dear Iris ❀❀❀ )
@evaberezovsky
evaberezovsky.com
evapberezovsky(at)gmail(dot)com
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