What farmers' markets and journaling have in common
Yesterday morning, my husband and I took our youngest teenager to an open air market.
It was a cross between a craft fair, a farmers’ market, and a food truck festival - with live music. So much to look at!
I love events like this in theory.
But in reality it’s an exercise in: have it…grow it…make it…wouldn’t want it…definitely could make it…will grow it next year…am definitely going to make this.
And typically I leave empty handed but with a brain full of inspiration.
(Except this time I ended up with three gemstone bracelets for a Christmas gift for my daughter and a jar of carrot cake jam that yes, I could make, but I certainly won’t make time for this week.)
Maybe you look at all the benefits that come from journaling, things like:
Reducing stress and anxiety
Gaining clarity
Understanding our thoughts and emotions
Gaining confidence as we track our wins and our progress
Synthesizing our learning
Increasing our self-awareness and identifying patterns in our lives
Increasing our communication skills
Boosting creativity
Improving memory
Increasing gratitude
And maybe you think:
I already do yoga to manage my stress, my life feels pretty clear, I’m not sure I want to better understand what I feel…More confidence would be nice…I wish I had more time to learn…I’m pretty self-aware, at least I think so…I am good at saying what I think, I’m not sure I need to be creative - where would I make time to do that? My memory is pretty decent, at least if I’m not tired. And gratitude…maybe I could be more grateful…
Or some variation of the above.
But maybe there is a little something you need. (Or want…like that overpriced jar of jam that I know will bring me so much joy!)
It’s okay to choose just one of these benefits to pursue.
There’s a way to journal that will help you get closer to your goals.
Journaling can be warm and fuzzy - all about feelings.
Or you could journal without talking about feelings at all.
You could journal to improve your personal life.
Or your professional life.
Or your role as a perpetual student of life.
You could journal to help you reach a particular goal - improve your fitness or finances, or maybe get that promotion you’ve been hoping for.
You could journal through some difficulties in your life
Or to see how full of good things your life already is.
The world is your oyster!
If you’ve tried journaling, but it hasn’t done it for you, try again. Try something different.
Maybe the next way you try will be exactly what you need.
Need some help? Reach out - I love to help people find the magic in journaling.
There is a way forward for you if you want it.
Weekly Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week.
How are you doing?
What’s happening in your life right now?
What are your main coping mechanisms?
Are they serving you well?
Is your life going the direction you want it to go?
What choices can you make to steer it in the right direction?
What helpful lessons have you learned in getting to this point?
One Journaling Idea I Love:
Conversations
How often have you wished you had just the right words to say?
Whether it’s to convey appreciation or frustration or something else, sometimes it’s hard to find the right words in the moment.
But we can use our journals to practice.
Before a difficult conversation, write out what you want to say, the points you want to make. Get clear on the message you want to communicate.
Think about the people you love and appreciate. Identify what you appreciate about them and practice how you’ll share this with them.
This practice can be especially helpful when the person you want to have the conversation with isn’t able to have it with you. Maybe they’re far away, or maybe they’re no longer here. Writing out the conversation you’d like to have in your journal can bring them closer.
Need Some Help with Your Journaling?
I work with clients 1:1 and in small groups to help them journal their way to both success on their own terms and to a life they don’t want a vacation from.
Working together, we’ll
identify opportunities for growth and progress
build foundational habits to help you succeed
take your goals and break them down into action plans so you can move forward and make them happen
overcome obstacles, stumbling blocks, and limiting beliefs
recognize and celebrate your growth and progress
learn to be your own accountability partner so your growth is lasting and sustainable
Whether you’re ready to work with me 1:1, you want a seat in my next small group program Better You, Better Business starting October 3, or you want to imagine together what journaling can help you achieve, book a call with me HERE. I can’t wait to talk with you!
Happy Journaling!