This last week, I kept hearing one message over and over again in different areas of my life.
Show up.
It matters more than we realize.
Sometimes we get this idea that showing up only is worth doing if we can get it right.
A woman in my in-person journal workshop on Monday night told me she was there to learn how to journal “the right way”. As if it’s not worth doing otherwise.
I happily explained to her that there is no wrong way to journal, which means there are so many wonderful ways to make journaling work for us. That we get to play and explore and discover what we like.
But even when we do, there’s no guarantee that everything will always go smoothly. I’ve been journaling most of my life now, and I STILL have days where everything is a mess. I call them sticky days - no matter how hard I try, the words stick in my brain and I can’t pull two coherent sentences together.
Showing up on those days, when it’s messy and hard, those are the days when it matters the most. Because continuing to show up puts us in the right place for the magic to find us when it’s ready. And when we’re ready.
This weekend was all about showing up. I spent Saturday volunteering at an event that I was tempted to skip - Both days were booked solid and the weather was so gorgeous that my gardens were calling. But I showed up.
I participated in a story sharing workshop where I was partnered with a woman who had so much to say that I actually never got a chance to tell my story. But it was okay. I realized she just needed me to hold space for her. That was only possible because I showed up.
Yesterday I took my oldest off to school. He’s doing a four month trade program and he took his car, so he really didn’t need me to go. But I knew I’d feel better if I went. We got him settled in his apartment, went grocery shopping, bought him some jeans (he’s one of those kids who lives in shorts), had lunch, visited the school, and then I headed for home.
It wasn’t necessary for me to be there, and I know he would have done perfectly fine on his own. I’ve been showing up for 19 years when it mattered, so I figured there’s no reason to stop now.
Think about your life and all the places where you show up. Do you know how important you are? The impact you make?
Where do you need to show up this week?
And how can you make it happen, even if it’s messy?
Because those messy moments are often the most important.
Weekly Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week.
Where in your life do you show up?
When do you show up well?
When do you consider it a success if you just show up no matter how messy it looks and feels?
What happens when you show up?
What impact do you have on others?
What impact does showing up have on you?
How might your life look different if you didn’t show up?
How might your life look different if you showed up more? Or differently? Or when you needed to show up the most?
What is the difference only you can make when you show up?
Write about a time when you were tempted to not show up and good things happened because you did.
One Journaling Idea I Love:
Letters. Write letters to yourself - to young you, sharing the words and wisdom you wish you had known then, giving yourself hope as you tell your story of who you’ve become. Write to the you of the future, full of wishes you have for yourself, dreams you want to make come true. Write to you now, a love letter full of gratitude for who you are, all you’ve overcome and learned, what makes you unequivocally you.
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
Where You Can Find Me This Week:
Registration is open for my May Journaling Group. We’re meeting virtually on Zoom weekday mornings at 8am Eastern starting 5/9. During our three weeks together, we’ll focus on self-discovery. Learn more here.
I share journal related content on LinkedIn every day by 8 am Eastern. Visit me there for stories, journaling ideas, and more!
I have a website! Visit me at GoodThingsComeToThoseWhoJournal.com
I’m always reachable by email.
My teenagers are doing their best to avoid me on TikTok…
Need more journal prompts at your fingertips? I have a collection of more than 375 that I’ve curated that can be yours. Find them here.
Interested in Working with Me?
Need help designing a journaling routine that works for you? Looking for ways to freshen up your practice? Have questions about journaling and the role it can play for you? Want to bring a journaling workshop into your workplace? Please reach out! I love helping people just like you work magic in your lives through journaling!
Happy Journaling!