"E" is for Emporium - New alphabet-inspired journal page

Something about the letter e brings out the eccentric in my journaling. For example, my daughter and I had such fun imagining our all-things-us emporiums.

Hers would feature an entire department dedicated to storage boxes of all shapes, colours and sizes. No matter what you need to organize, you'd find exactly the right box for it in her emporium. There would also be an owl deparment (no actual owls, just books about owls, owl-related designs and owl softies), an overalls and fun socks section, and an all-day food kiosk serving her two favourite dishes: her grandmother's molokhiya soup and creme brulee. For your viewing pleasure, the shelves would all be color coordinated.

My emporium would carry a vast collection of handmade papers from all over the world, notebooks of every shape, size and function (of course), a fully stocked moisturizer and lip balm department, a wide selection of mixing bowls and measuring cups, long and short-sleeve t-shirts in every colour of the rainbow, and a handmade items gift shop.

How about yours?

If you'd like to journal the letter e with me, I'll send it to you! In the comments below, tell me three items you'd find on the shelves of your all-things-you emporium. Not only will you get a head start on the first prompt in this printable, but I'll send a reply in return along with the pdf file* so you can keep journaling!

P.S. If you're new to this alphabet-inspired journal series, I'm sharing the process with you -- and these pages! -- as I go. You can find more information about pages a to d, plus some of my other page projects, here.

* The file will include two page sizes: letter and A4.

"D" is for Different -- New alphabet-inspired journal page

Before we get to today's d page, could we chat about your colossal emails and comments on last week's post for a sec?

Here are three things you taught me:

1. Putting a colossal effort into your projects, big or small, very often leads to equally colossal results that make all of the hard work worthwhile. Yay, you!

2. Taking a few moments to think about where you're devoting your time and energy is a great way to evaluate whether you're making the most of both or whether there could be other ways to make a difference for yourself and for others. Yay, you once again!

3. The word itself, colossal, had a way of clarifying how hard you're working toward the things that matter to you. It was an amazing reminder of how gratifying it is to find a word that describes exactly how you're feeling or exactly what happened. It makes your experiences tangible and meaningful and that's what journaling is all about!

Now, on to the d page! The first prompt is all about noticing the variety of experiences you encounter from day to day. You'll also find doodads, doohickeys, and the deep sea, among other things!

Your turn!

If you'd like to journal the letter d with me, I'll send it to you! In the comments below, tell me one thing about your day today that's different from your day yesterday. Not only will you get a head start on the first prompt in this printable, but I'll send a reply in return along with the pdf file* so you can keep journaling!

P.S. If you're new to this series, I'm sharing the process -- and these pages! -- with you as I go. You can find more information about the a, b, and c pages, plus some of my other page projects, here.

P.P.S. I'm doing my best to reply to every email within about a day -- or two at the most when my inbox is overflowing! I'm mostly caught up, but some emails have come back as undeliverable. If you emailed me or commented here on the blog more than two days ago and haven't received a response from me, could you send me a quick email to let me know?

P.P.P.S. I first wrote about this page in my newsletter. If you’d like to receive it, along with my free e-book 10 Good Reasons to Journal, you can subscribe here!

* The file will include two page sizes: letter and A4.

"C" is for Colossal -- new alphabet-inspired journal page

The letter c gave me some trouble. It's not that there aren't enough c words. There are. My 1983 edition of the Gage Canadian Dictionary* features 136 pages of c words while there are only 79 pages for b and 78 pages for a.

I made a list of the words starting with c that seemed promising and tried to ignore any I've used frequently in the past like curiosity, change, community, and conversation. (It was really hard to ignore curiosity -- such a great word and so much to be curious about!)

By the time I got to czar, my list had 95 words, which is plenty to work with. I wrote a bunch of a different journal prompts over a couple of days, but almost all of them felt forced or vague or complicated. Luckily, this is a familiar part of my creative cycle -- the part where I start to second guess myself. Maybe this whole alphabet project is too weird, plus it'll take too long and also it's too repetitive. And onward in that direction.

But there's another side. The truth is I'm really enjoying sitting with my ancient, coverless, yellow-paged dictionary on my lap and wandering through its thin pages. I love the challenge of working with new words and playing with letter shapes.

And your emails. Can I just say . . . they are awesome! No two are alike. You have your own wonderful perspective on the world and it is such a thrill to cheer you on in your journaling.

So I'm done second guessing. I pressed on with my list and put together 5 new prompts that I quite like and hope you'll like too.

If you'd like to journal the letter c with me, I'll send you the page! In the comments below, tell me one project into which you've poured a colossal amount of effort. Not only will you get a head start on the first prompt in this printable, but I'll send an email reply in return along with the pdf file** so you can keep journaling!

P.S. If you're new to this series, I'm sharing the process (and the pages!) with you as I go and I'd love to know your thoughts along the way. You can find more information about the a and b pages, plus some of my other page projects, here.

* This is the dictionary that lived on the family bookshelves when I was a kid. It's undeniably dated and I mostly use online dictionaries now, but I can't part with it. (The bookshelves, by the way, were floor-to-ceiling teak and featured an angled shelf for displaying magazines!)
** The file will include two page sizes: letter and A4.

"B" is for Baker's Dozen -- new alphabet-inspired journal page

Did you know that it's perfectly okay to end a sentence with a preposition? At least, Merriam-Webster's online dictionary says it is:

There is nothing wrong with ending a sentence in a preposition like to, with, for, or at. English speakers have been doing so since the days of Old English. The people who claim that a terminal preposition is wrong are clinging to an idea born in the 17th century and largely abandoned by grammar and usage experts in the early 20th.

This came as happy news to me! I was definitely taught by 17th century grammar enthusiasts.

Of the five prompt ideas starting with the letter b in today's alphabet-inspired journal page, three of them are sometimes prepositions: behind, before, and beside. They don't make their appearances at the end of any sentences, but I made sure to end the last prompt on the page with a lovely little of -- just for fun!

As I mentioned last week, this project feels even more experimental than usual. I'm sharing the process (and the pages!) with you as I go and I'd love to know your thoughts along the way.

If you'd like to journal the letter b with me, I'll send you the page to print at home! In the comments below, tell me one thing that's happening behind you right now. Not only will you get a head start on the first prompt in this printable, but I'll send a reply in return along with the pdf file* so you can keep journaling!

P.S. The pdf file will include two page sizes: letter and A4.

P.P.S. I first wrote about this page in my newsletter. If you’d like to receive it, along with my free e-book 10 Good Reasons to Journal, you can subscribe here!

"A" is For Announcement -- an alphabet-inspired journal page

I've always wanted to create a set of alphabet-inspired journal pages using huge, colourful letters. For a long time, a vague idea of the series was as far as I got: single letter pages, lots of colours and journal prompts. Every once in a while, I'd open a new file and try to sketch it out, but I couldn't figure out how to make it work.

Truth be told, I'm still not entirely sure how to make it work, but these days I'm more motivated to try. I've got a bunch of pages sitting in my journal files and they're all stuck at various stages of completion. I feel like I need to try something new. I'm looking for a creative way to work with words I don't usually use and ideas I haven't fully explored before. More than that, I'd love to loosen up my process a little, create more daring prompts, and push the boundaries of my usual approach to journaling.

Long story short, after lots of back and forth and still some uncertainty about the end result, my first single letter journal page is ready to go.

This project feels even more experimental than usual. It's possible that by the time I get to m the pages will look completely different. For better or worse, I'd love to share the process (and the pages!) with you as I go. I'd also love to know your thoughts along the way.

Over to you!

If you'd like to join me for an alphabet-inspired journal adventure, I'll send you my first page to print at home! In the comments below, tell me one announcement you'd like to make this year. Not only will you get a head start on the first prompt in this printable, but I'll send you an email in return to cheer you on and attach the pdf file so you can keep journaling!

P.S. The pdf file will include two page sizes: letter and A4.

P.P.S. I first wrote about this page in my newsletter. If you’d like to receive it, along with my free e-book 10 Good Reasons to Journal, you can subscribe by clicking the link!

Lists of Three (a new printable journal page!)

I've been creating new journal pages lately and loving every step along the way, from exploring the twists and turns of daily living to writing journal prompts, putting them all in colourful boxes and sharing them with you! If you've missed any along the way, here's a recap:

First, there were the ones -- a quick list of inquisitive, not entirely random, feel good prompts . . .

Then came the twos -- a page full of super-short lists for journaling your great ideas, the people who make a difference in your life, the things you don't do anymore, the things you'll never stop doing, and lots more . . .

Today, it's all about lists of three . . .

I loved creating this set. It reminded me that one of the simplest and most immediate benefits of journaling is the way it brings the good stuff into focus. I hope these pages shine a bright light on your good stuff, too!

Update - July 23, 2020: Yesterday, I decided to make a change to one of the prompts on the threes page. I wrote about it here. I’ve updated the image and links to the revised version, but you can find the original page here.

Two of Your Great Ideas (a new printable journal page!)

Lately, I've been creating new journal pages filled with collections of mind-wandering prompts. Last week, I shared the ones. Today is all about the twos. You'll find a page full of super-short lists for journaling your great ideas, the people who make a difference in your life, the things you don't do anymore, the things you'll never stop doing, and lots more!

To download this journal page, click here or on the image above. (In order to give you lots of page/binder/planner size options, this page is offered in four sizes: letter, half-letter, A4, A5.)

I hope you'll find an unexpected insight (or two!) about yourself or your world as you hop from prompt to prompt. If you do, I'd love to hear about it. Let me know in the comments!

P.S. No need to stop at two! Use any of the prompts on this page to start a longer list in your journal.

P.P.S. If you enjoyed these pages, stay tuned for lists of three!

Behind the Scenes (and a new printable journal page!)

This is Sundae, our furriest family member. She is our constant companion, primary source of cuddly distraction, and chief mischief maker.

One day last week, I looked up from my desk and there she was, midway up the staircase, staring back at me. She looked the way I've been feeling. Kinda horizontal. Stuck a little sideways, not a lot of forward movement. (But deep down, wanting quite badly to create and connect to something hopeful (and vertical.))

Know what I mean?

So, I decided to put all of my stalled projects (there are so many!) aside and go back to basics with a set of new journal pages. No pressure, just a quick list of inquisitive, not entirely random, feel good prompts. The page below is the first of the series.

Can you guess the formats of the second and third pages? They're almost ready to post -- later this week, if all goes well. To download this one, click here or on the image above.

Happy journaling!

P.S. As always, in order to give you lots of page/binder/planner size options, this page is offered in four sizes: letter, half-letter, A4, A5.

10 Minutes to Highlight Your Day - Free printable journal page roundup

I’m all about the details lately — even on a journal page designed for hitting the highlights. With lots of practice, I’ve realized that the key to making the most of this page is to be specific. Add at least one detail in each of your highlights that expresses your singular experience of this day. Before you know it, you’ll have created a meaningful and unique record of an otherwise ordinary day.

If you’d like to highlight your day, you can download this page by clicking on the image above or by visiting my collection of 10 Minute journal pages.

If you’d like to journal more of my pages, here’s a list of previous pages featured in my free journal page roundup:

10 Minutes to Reflect on Your Day

When You Need to Find a Little Extraordinary in Your Ordinary

Little Things that Mean a Lot

Love

For additional information on page sizes and printing, visit my printables welcome page.

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Hi, I'm Christie. I create printable guided journal pages filled with bright colours and a resilient spirit aimed at documenting life's celebrations and learning from its challenges. My goal is to give you a quick and colourful collection of good reasons to start journaling right now. For even more journal inspiration, sign up to receive my free e-book, 10 Good Reasons to Journal.

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Love - Free printable journal page roundup

It’s almost impossible, I think, to spend time writing about the people, places and pursuits you love and not feel lifted, at least a little, by all that love. I created this super quick and colourful page to inspire you to notice the love around you (and within you!) from six different perspectives. It’ll only take minutes to journal, but you may find, like I did today, that it brightens your whole day.

If you’d like to give it a try, you can download my love journal page by clicking on the image above or by visiting my collection of colourful words journal pages.

If you’d like to journal more of my pages, here’s a list of previous pages featured in my free journal page roundup:

10 Minutes to Reflect on Your Day

When You Need to Find a Little Extraordinary in Your Ordinary

Little Things that Mean a Lot

For additional information on page sizes and printing, visit my printables welcome page.

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Hi, I'm Christie. I create printable guided journal pages filled with bright colours and a resilient spirit aimed at documenting life's celebrations and learning from its challenges. My goal is to give you a quick and colourful collection of good reasons to start journaling right now. For even more journal inspiration, sign up to receive my free e-book, 10 Good Reasons to Journal.

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