This one sends my thoughts in all sorts of noteworthy directions: love, companionship, connections, collaborations, and possibilities for shared moments in the year ahead. All good things.
Which relationship(s!) will you nurture in 2018?
New Year Journal Prompt - Part 2
This prompt, in one variation or another, is one I think about a lot.
Sometimes, when I'm about to do something that really scares me (like speak in front of a new group, share new work, or scoop up a spider in my daughter's bedroom), I remind myself to be brave. It totally helps. It acknowledges the fear without letting it take over. Be afraid and do it anyway, that's been my mantra lately.
This year, I'm going to expand my approach to journaling in ways that involve sharing more of myself and my ideas (and some of them might be a little unconventional). I don't know whether I'll succeed, but I believe that my ideas are good and useful, so I'll be brave and put them out there.
How will you be brave in 2018?
New Year Journal Prompt - Part 1
Happy New Year, fellow journalers!
One thing I can't wait to do in 2018 is experiment with my approach to journaling, so instead of my usual single prompt for the new year (ie. "three things you'll do to make the most of 2018" -- which I still totally love and will use again in the future), I thought it might be fun to explore our plans and expectations for the year from a variety of perspectives throughout the week.
Let's start with the good stuff. What can't you wait to do in 2018?
Experiments in Journaling - Part 9
(Originally posted on October 11, 2017)
When words are hard to come by.
(It’s not really so bleak. Today’s been a bit tangled and I would much prefer a straight line. I’m going to add more words to the tangle, once I figure out what they are.)
Experiments in Journaling - Part 8
(Originally posted on October 10, 2017)
Not a great day today. In other words, a perfect day to write a how-to-turn-a-bad-day-into-a-good-day-list.
A few on my list: journal (of course), give someone else a reason to smile, make bright and colourful things, shift focus and efforts to other stuff, silly pet videos, speak up, have a cup of tea, learn something from it, take a deep breath, give yourself a break, hugs, talk it out, go for a walk.
You know what? A cup of tea, a colourful journal page, and some very deep breaths later, I’m starting to feel better. Off to try some of the other stuff.
What’s on your list?
Experiments in Journaling - Part 7
(Originally posted on October 6, 2017)
What do you do when you think you're on to something, but you're not quite there yet? What do you do with ideas that you're pretty sure you want to pursue, but that aren't yet fully formed? You put those ideas in your journal, of course -- where you can hold onto them for later, where you can evaluate them now that they're words on the page, where you can think a little on paper.
And when the ideas are difficult and still a bit uncomfortable to sort through, you can always add lighten the mood and brighten things up with tissue paper stripes and white gel pens.
Prompt: Ideas I'm working through.
Experiments in Journaling - Part 6
(Originally posted on October 5, 2017)
It just felt like a tissue-paper-polka-dot type of day.
Prompt: Coming up.
Experiments in Journaling - Part 5
(Originally posted on October 2, 2017)
Today's experiment: colour clouds. One colour per set of thoughts, with staggered margins. Kind of like actual thoughts, one bumping into the next. (It also felt a lot like putting a puzzle together. Which is one thing I love about journaling -- it often feels that way.)
Prompt: Making the most of ... family time, work time, night time, alone time, everyday routines/activities, and my journal.
Experiments in Journaling - Part 4
(Originally posted on September 29, 2017)
Remember those lift-the-flap books for toddlers? I see no reason why we can't incorporate that sense of playfulness and surprise into our journals.
This one starts as a list of fall things. But underneath each flap, I've jotted down a few thoughts about the list items and my adventures so far this fall. I can't wait to look back later at those memories -- hidden under the flaps.
Up next: Something crafty, I think...
Experiments in Journaling - Part 3
(Originally posted on September 28, 2017)
I'm always looking for ways to divide up journal pages and prompts, it seems, before I can jump in. Lists and categories and boxes with borders. Somehow the restrictions give me a place to start and then, once I get going, a way to spot the finish line.
This time, I sliced up a 5.5" square of cardstock and put it back together while working on a listy prompt. One thought per grid space. I really enjoyed this one and had a bit of an a-ha moment, too.
Up next: Something seasonal, I think.