Adumbrate

Clouds completely lack objectivity: A notion found in the use of the cloud like thought bubble in cartoons. It is a convention that links the mental privacy of subject states with clouds. They are the embodiment of everything flighty and thus inspire comic commentary on how people manage to create meaning out of the blue.

Clouds lack clear edges, morph rapidly, exist as much in color as in shape, and will not stay still, making them, to put it mildly, less than promising subjects for temporally frozen medium.

ADUMBRATE is a collective journal that creates opportunities for creativity. It explores the development of thoughts, examining how they form and intertwin between people.

  1. September 19th, 2024
  2. September 19th, 2024
  3. September 22nd, 2024
  4. September 22rd, 2024
  5. September 23rd, 2024
  6. September 23th, 2024
  7. September 24th, 2024
  8. September 25th, 2024
  9. September 27th, 2024
  10. September 27th, 2024
  11. September 27th, 2024
  12. September 29th, 2024
  13. October 1st, 2024
  14. October 3th, 2024
  15. October 4th, 2024
  16. October 7th, 2024

September 19th, 2024

Mostly Cloudy: High 74, Low 62

I find clouds beautiful. However, when the sky is too cloudy, it all seems to blend together and makes life feel dull. Today’s day of overcast skies makes me think of the importance of contrast and unique things in someone’s life. It also reminds me of the many things that weigh on my mind, especially about things that I think will have a large impact on my life and my future that I don’t see an immediate solution to, even if it is there. Much like how direct sunlight can’t break through the overcast clouds, small bits of sunlight still make it through the filter of the clouds. I want a job man :( The clouds also remind me of how grateful I am of the many things going well around me. I’m grateful for the amazing people everywhere in my life who bring joy and sunlight no matter what the sky looks like.

September 19th, 2024

Mostly Cloudy: High 74, Low 62

I normally love clouds, but on days like this I just feel oppressed by them—almost as if they are entering my own body and fogging it up. I’ve learned over the past couple of years how much I value natural sunlight. Even on the most tired mornings, if there is sunlight I am immediately revitalized. Days like today, where the clouds are thick and almost opaque, place my mind in a pensive state, and while sometimes being in such a state is beneficial to my understanding of myself, I don’t want to feel plagued by it.

September 22th, 2024

Overcast: High 66, Low 67
Precipitation: 0.87 in

On cloudy days, I feel a sense of comfort and safety. I love feeling the darkness surrounding me. It feels like the world has gone quiet and I could have time to enjoy the beauty of life. On these cloudy days, I find that I can be my true self and seek clarity.

September 22th, 2024

Overcast: High 66, Low 67
Precipitation: 0.87 in

I saw this cloud on an overcast day, where most of the clouds melded together into one giant mass. But this cloud had a slight visible outline, and so it reminded me of a ship floating in the sky. When I look at clouds, I always become obsessed with how quickly they’re actually moving when you stop to pay attention to it. Most of the time, clouds are seen as a stagnant background, and often overlooked or disregarded. In reality, they’re very fluid and always evolving, to the point where no sky is ever the same on any given day. This thought, which I was particularly reminded of when I saw the shape of this cloud, is actually quite comforting to me. It reassures me that the world was designed to keep changing, and that I should welcome that change in all of its beauty.

September 23th, 2024

Passing Clouds: High 64, Low 55

Clouds always remind me of motion. I’m not someone who often takes time to appreciate the sky or clouds but my mother always points them out. I find the clouds relaxing to watch when I do take the time as they move with the wind. Sometimes this motion isn’t pleasant as it makes me feel as though the world is spinning or moving in a sort of motion sickness type of way. My mother often asks me to take photos of clouds when we are in the car hence I associate them so heavily with motion.

September 23th, 2024

Passing Clouds: High 64, Low 55

I am uncertain about the future. I have so many questions about where I’m going after I graduate and I’m juggling so many things at the same time. I don’t want to go to class but I know I should. I know I have to leave my room to go get food, but I’m not hungry and I’m too tired to move. I have so much work to do that my head hurts just thinking about it. Classwork, homework, research articles, summarize, secondaries, interviews and so many more things I could list that bother me. I have so many messages from friends to get through and I’m worried about not responding for a long period of time, but I’m glad I have their support to get me through my work.

September 24th, 2024

Broken Clouds: High 65, Low 53

I am not going to think about the future because it feels like too much work. I am simply going to continue finishing up my current work for the week and planning on how I can enjoy myself for the rest of this semester. There are some pieces of doubt and fear of the future and how I can better prepare myself for it, but I get sadder and more distracted when thinking about it, so I think I’ll play the oblivious student and not think.

September 25th, 2024

Mostly Cloudly: High 64, Low 60

I feel like as much as I try to not be stressed about the future, there’s a part of me that is always concerned about it in my subconscious. There’s also a part of me that likes the stress because it serves as motivation to not fail. So all in all I am just hoping not to fail and maybe be happy too! But cloudy days like this don’t really help, it’s like an inbetween state where it’s not raining and not sunny so it’s just there.

September 27th, 2024

Partly Sunny: High 79, Low 63
Precipitation: 0.36 in

It’s honestly so nice that we have such a sunny day after the insane amount of rain this week. It’s been pretty tough thinking about the future and current projects and other stuff, but it’s always nice to see some sunshine and hang out with friends. I hope everything falls into place one day.

September 27th, 2024

Partly Sunny: High 79, Low 63
Precipitation: 0.36 in

Today was a really nice day, after all that rain I was finally able to go out on a run with my good friend. Getting the sunlight and feeling the cool breeze of the Charles definitely improved my overall mood. I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work I have to do while trying to maintain some sense of stability through sleep and social events with friends. I’m grateful to be able to slow down and take a breath to appreciate the world around me. The clouds today reminded me of waves at the beach, the push and pull of the tide like the day to day challenges.

September 27th, 2024

Partly Sunny: High 79, Low 63
Precipitation: 0.36 in

It was so nice out today I lowkey was suspicious about it. I had a bit of a tough week, so I’m grateful I had a nice sunny day to end it with. I think I’m just a little sad because it’s my last year as an undergrad here, and I want to try and find a way to make the most of it while still finding time to take care of myself, even if it just feels like I’m wasting time by doing nothing (especially because I have a lot of work that I just keep putting off to the last minute). I called my mom yesterday and she said “this too will pass”, literally the most cliche saying I have ever heard in my life, but it got me thinking a lot about how I’m feeling right now. Every single moment, no matter how terrible or amazing, will pass- and that’s not necessarily good or bad, but just the way it is.

September 29th, 2024

Broken Clouds: High 65, Low 57

As much as I want to believe that everything will work out, part of me is terrified that things won’t work out. There are so many uncertainties for the future, especially after changing career goals, which makes me constantly worried and keeps me awake at night. I am stressed about my classes and internship search as it seems my whole future depends on it. Time has been passing by so fast yet I don’t think I have accomplished anything significant since the semester started. My thoughts are a mess and I don’t know how to feel about myself. Ithaca winter is slowly approaching, causing the skies to be grey and gloomy this whole week. Usually, when I see the sun, I feel a little more hopeful but the clouds recently have added to my feelings of obscurity.

October 1st, 2024

Broken Clouds: High 66, Low 57

It feels as if the clearness of the sky allows for the clearness of my mind. Usually, cloudy skies bring me peace of mind, as if they are assuring me that a dimmer start to my day will only result in more ups than downs later on. However, today, as I look from afar at the vast blue landscape around my school, I see that it is only obstructed by small clusters of clouds. Inadvertently equating cloudiness to anxiety, seeing this makes all my worries shrink. Although the problems are still blatantly present, they seem more digestible. Like clouds, my insecurities and problems may seem intangible, thereby impossible to resolve. But taking a step away like I did today to look at the bigger picture allowed me to see that these problems produced in my head are all just tiny clusters that the wind will soon blow away. Worry is only the minority; I need to make contentment the majority in my life. It was a tranquil day, and I partially have the sky to thank for it :)

October 3st, 2024

Passing Clouds: High 68, Low 55

As I look at the fountain surrounded by nature and the seemingly endless expanse of the sky above, I can’t help but reflect on life. The clouds hanging above remind me of the ever-shifting uncertainties in life, sometimes light and fleeting, other times dense and overwhelming. But just as the fountain’s water flows, life continues its course, regardless of what’s in their impermanence, the clouds seem to reflect the fleeting nature of our worries and fears. They drift across the sky, pushed by winds beyond their control, much like how life sometimes propels us forward without warning or choice. And yet, at the same time, they also remind me that even in the shadow of uncertainty, there is beauty. Their shapes constantly change, but the sky remains vast and open. It serves as a small reminder that no matter how heavy the clouds may seem, the blue sky and clarity always return, often brighter than before. In the same way, my anxieties may obscure the clarity of my mind, but they, too, will pass. Like the fountain, I try to remain steady, grounded, and resilient even as everything around us shifts. There’s serenity in accepting the ebbs and flow as I am always in motion, always finding peace in the depths amidst the currents of life.

October 4th, 2024

Mostly Cloudy: High 72, Low 56

I have always found rays of sunshine shining out from behind the clouds to be really inspiring. The sun reminds of a light that signifies warmth and happiness. While the clouds seem dark and sad, trying to stop the light from shining, I try to remember that after it rains the sun always comes out.

October 7th, 2024

Partly Cloudy: High 61, Low 54

I’m really good at living in the moment. As often as apprehension and anxiety hit, they stay momentarily.
I’m usually a happy person. A lot has happened within this past month. I would like to believe that I’m independent and mature, but I wonder if I’m really growing as a person?
Everyone’s thoughts are constantly plagued with stress.
I really don’t like that.
It’s repetitive.
It’s annoying.
It effects me in cycles, crawling up... then I have to again...casually...shaking it off.
Despite all that, I know none of us are ever truly alone. Our thoughts are universal, but manifesting beautifully and differently in ever so slightly ways.