‘Traveling Diary’ From Montclair Unites Women Around The World

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Want to see magic in action? Listen to someone read their “deepest truth” aloud in front of a room full of strangers – and feel the connection they all make. That’s the appeal of the Traveling Diary Community, according to Kyra Peralte.

Peralte is the driving force behind the Traveling Diary Community, which was launched amid the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of reconnecting women on a human level.

The concept was simple. One writer scribed a story, message, idea or even artwork into the notebook, sharing their feelings about the pandemic and its effects on their lives. They then passed the notebook on via mail to the next author, who continued the process.

It was a welcome breath of fresh air during a difficult time. But the ball kept rolling (and the notebooks kept getting filled) after the pandemic, and the diaries began probing other significant life experiences: hopes, dreams, thoughts about family.

The Traveling Diary Community has since expanded to 30 countries across the globe – and spawned dozens of notebooks – connecting diverse populations and highlighting commonalities between different cultures.

There’s a woman in London who was finally able to make her mom’s recipe – a favorite dish from her childhood. There’s a college student in India whose first-ever piece of mail addressed to her was the traveling diary. There’s a grandmother in the United States who wrote about her longing for physical intimacy and romance. There’s a young woman in Ukraine who heard bombs drop shortly after mailing in the diary.

“We’re creating something that can’t be replicated through a screen,” Peralte said. “These are real stories from real people – shared in real time.”

“When you hear someone’s deepest truth read aloud in a room full of strangers who soon become friends—that’s magic,” Peralte added. “That’s human connection at its most powerful.”

Watch Peralte speak about the movement’s growth – and meaning – in a TEDx Talks video here.

STORYTELLING EVENT IN MONTCLAIR

Peralte, a “proud Montclair resident,” will be bringing the Traveling Diary tour back to the township for a public event on Thursday, Jan. 23. It will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Crane House and Historic YWCA, 110 Orange Road in Montclair.

Guests can expect “candlelit storytelling” featuring real-life stories from the pages of the traveling diary and complimentary mulled wine. The event is suitable for adults 21 and up. Learn more or purchase tickets here.

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