What do you need?
Once upon a time early last year, my journaling felt a little off.
I had gotten into this really great groove of journaling first thing in the morning.
And I loved it. I really did.
I’d take my journal downstairs to the couch,
Cozy up under my favorite blue fuzzy blanket,
And spill out everything in my head and heart into my journal.
I’d write with wild abandon and no sense of time, filling page after page.
Until I didn’t.
Until I worried that I had written everything there was to say.
Until I worried that, as valuable as I found journaling,
If I didn’t find a way to keep it fresh,
I might find myself putting it by the wayside.
So I asked myself, “What do I need out of my journaling?”
And the answer came clearly to me - structure.
Writing whatever was in my head onto the page is great.
But when that’s the only way I’m journaling,
I’m missing some huge opportunities.
I wanted my journal to help me live more intentionally
So I needed to be more intentional with my journaling!
I started asking myself questions:
What’s the most important thing for me to do today?
How can I show up as my best me?
What does my soul need today?
How will I feed my mind today?
How will I take care of my body?
Who do I need to connect with today?
Every day I’d ask myself these questions -
Sometimes my answers would be the same or similar
Sometimes they’d be very different.
Together as a practice, they helped me start each day with intention,
Gave me the structure I had been craving.
Over the last nearly two years,
My practice has grown and shifted -
I ask myself different questions.
I collect data.
I remind myself of what’s important to me.
I track my habits.
And I’ve learned when to lean into this structure,
When it’s time for stream of consciousness writing,
And when I need something else altogether.
The more I build my journaling practice,
The better I get at listening to myself.
And the better I get at listening to myself,
The quicker I find the answers I need,
And the better I take care of myself.
If your journaling practice feels really great,
Amazing! Lean into it! Love it! Appreciate it! Use it!
If your journaling practice feels a little stale,
Maybe it’s time to shake things up, try something new.
If you want some help figuring out how to make your practice work for you,
Let’s have a conversation!
You can book a free session on my calendar here.
Journal Prompts
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week. And know that I’m always here to support you and answer questions you have along the way!
What’s the most important thing for me to do today?
How can I show up as my best me?
What does my soul need today?
How will I feed my mind today?
How will I take care of my body?
Who do I need to connect with today?
Who do I want to be today?
How do I want to feel today?
How will I demonstrate love for myself?
How will I have fun today?
One Journaling Idea
Social Journaling
While we typically think of journaling as a solitary activity, there is magic in journaling in community.
On the surface, here’s what it looks like: a group of folks together (in person or over Zoom) journaling at the same time. Someone brings a journal prompt and a timer, and while the timer is running, everyone is journaling.
But when the timer goes off, that’s when the magic really starts as participants have an opportunity to share. No one is ever required to share, and no one is ever expected to read exactly what they wrote, and yet the sharing that happens adds beautiful layers to our journaling.
As we share our experiences - what the prompt brought up for us, what we were reminded of, what we learned or realized - we build community as we deepen our understanding.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen eyes light up and lightbulbs go off above people’s heads as folks share in our journaling groups. Pens start scribbling and I hear choruses of “Those are the words I was looking for!”, “I hadn’t even thought about it that way!, and - my favorite - “Oh wow! I thought I was the only one..”
It’s living proof of the old adage, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Except together we can also go faster…
If you want to give social journaling a try, I invite you to join me this Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30 pm Eastern for our monthly journaling mini-retreat. Register for free HERE.
How’s Your Journaling? Need Some Help?
Whether you’re looking for a little bit of support or a whole lot of it, I’m here to help you when you’re ready. And we can start with a conversation. Click here to put some time on my calendar.
More Good Stuff
Save on Your Next Journal
Folks ask me all the time what kind of journals I recommend, and I’m thrilled that I now have a good answer for you. My friends at Scribbles That Matter, have some beautiful journal products - lined and dot journals and more - with beautifully thick paper that’s perfect for those of us who love to use markers in our journaling. You can save 10% on your order using the code AMANDA10.
Happy Journaling!
This year, I was really good with getting old my journal in the morning, but I often felt there is nothing to share, nothing that really matters. Your questions are great. I will definitely integrate them into my praxis. Thank you...
These prompts have been super helpful to me, Amanda!