I read a passage recently about using reflection to be mindful of old emotions in new circumstances. I wrote in the margin and then my journal: what if you don’t even feel that way anymore?
It’s such a simple formula for letting go of an old hurt or insecurity. And when you do, it’s incredibly gratifying to realize you’ve grown to the point that something that might have ruined your day once upon a time, is now easily dismissed in favour of more constructive thoughts and experiences.
Anyone else out there feel like making hot chocolate and watching old movies until New Year’s?
I’ve been reading up on critical reflection and making lots of margin notes. This one — to see it all as if for the first time — made it into my journal last week, along with snippets of paper I lined, dashed, and dotted.
It’s part reminder and part inspiration for future printables — to find new ways to see and experience everyday events, to remember how it felt the first time, to notice the little details that make repeated routines unique, to be grateful the first time and the hundredth time.
I’m thinking it might come together in a new 10 minute journal page. I’ll keep you posted!
I didn’t realize until I took this picture — of a bit of journal experimentation using one of my favourite printable prompts as a template — that the page itself reveals aspects of what it feels like to be me: colour-inspired, enthusiastically chaotic in my approach to new ideas, and, in so many ways, a work in progress. All of which I’m slowly learning to embrace — rather than reject as personal shortcomings.
Such an unexpected turn of events, which is so often the case when I go wandering in my journal. I haven’t even glued anything down yet or written my three words! Who knows what will happen next?
How about you? Right this moment, what does it feel like to be you?
I love everything about the word leap. It’s super-short, but it conjures up lively images of leaping for joy, leaping over puddles, and, when required, leaping the occasional tall building. It’s also the subject of a long list of sayings denoting progress, surprise, growth, and delight — all excellent food for thought and the inspiration for my newest colourful words journal page.
I had such a wonderful time writing the prompts for this page that I ended up taking a little leap of my own — from journal making to pattern making. I wondered if I could create some simple background patterns for pages in my journal. I played with shapes and colours in Illustrator and ended up with several options, which I printed and included in the photo above. But now I’m also wondering if I can find a fun way to include colourful patterns in my journal pages . . .
In the meantime, I hope this page will inspire you to leap to your journal and start writing!
Ever since my colourful words journal pages began to take shape, I’ve been experimenting with letters in Illustrator. This colourful combination made it into my journal.
Tell me about your dreams. What are you dreaming of today?
On my virtual drawing board this week are two new colourful words journal pages - giggle and imagine - and a new experiment - a sort of interactive affirmation journal page to write and keep nearby while you dream your dream and do your thing. (The blue one up top says, “yes you can”.) They probably won’t end up looking exactly as they do here, but I’m loving the process of creating prompts within prompts. What do you think?
The beginnings of a new set of journal pages. I am so, so excited about these ones!
As I was scrolling through Pinterest recently, I noticed the quote, “I see you in colours that don’t exist,” by poet Paul Matsumoto. Have you seen it before? I hadn’t, but it struck a chord.
I feel like this all the time. And not just in seeing people, but in so many of my experiences of the world. I find myself drawn to a vision of the world that doesn’t quite exist. Don’t we all? My vision tends toward kinder, slower, more accepting, less painful.
I often wonder how to incorporate that sensation into my journaling in a way that is constructive and rooted in everyday experience, but that also leaves room for expansion of the colour palette. It’s a constant challenge. It’s a fine line between aspiration and fantasy.
The truth is that I don’t know exactly how to do that yet. But it feels good to try. Today’s journal experiment is a step along the way – thinking about ways to bridge the gap between what is and what could be. It’s up in the shop if you’d like to take a peek.
For now though, do you carry a vision of a world that doesn’t quite exist? What does it look like to you?
