What we write, we remember
What are you capturing in your journal?
My friend Jess loves the number 7.
On Saturday, as I worked in the children’s department of our local library, I issued several library cards.
On the back of each one, I wrote the expiration date - 7-27-27.
Each time, I thought of my friend Jess.
Because not only did I know she loves the number 7, I know WHY - because, among other reasons, she was born on 7-27.
And when I got home from work and finally had time to text happy birthday, she was delighted to hear that I thought of her all day.
Our relationship was strengthened.
We learn things about the people around us all the time - likes, dislikes, hopes, dreams, wishes. And it’s so easy to forget them.
But when we remember - AND do something to show we remember - the impact it has on our relationships is amazing.
How do we remember these details?
I like to write them down. Because what I write I remember. And it’s all too easy to let important information slip through the cracks of our memory.
What we write, we remember.
It’s hard to know in the moment when or if that information we record will be important. But the simple act of writing makes it so.
The stories we write, however mundane, become treasures that we can come back to later - over and over.
And when we share them, it strengthens our relationships with those we share with.
My children love hearing stories of them from when they were young:
How my son, born a red-head with a porcelain complexion, grew his freckles one by one. And how we named each one when it appeared - until we had too many names to remember.
How my older daughter loved to tell knock knock jokes when she was young. And how she’d make up her own and even though they weren’t actually funny, she had the sweetest giggle that would make us laugh every time.
How my younger daughter at not quite a year old figured out that she could push the kitchen chair over to the refrigerator, climb up on it, push the button to dispense water all over the floor, and beam with pride.
Every time I tell a story, it reminds them that I care enough about them to remember and to share.
But it’s not just with other people that remembering is important.
We learn things about ourselves all the time. We’re always learning lessons we want to remember. We discover skills or strengths or preferences that change our lives.
When we remember.
Is there anything worse than learning a hard lesson, only to remember - too late - that you’ve learned this hard lesson before? And you’ve simply forgotten?
Your journal can become your best friend - and your second brain - when you use it to capture what you learn, uncover, and experience. And even more so when you can turn back to it to remind yourself - as often as needed - of the lessons you’ve written inside.
With the help of your journal, you can get to know yourself like never before. And on those days when it’s hard to remember who you are, why you’re here, what makes you special, you can find the answers in your own words written on the page.
What greater gift can you give yourself?
In our Journaling for Growth Membership Community in August, we’ll be focusing on Memories and Moments.
Finding those stories we don't want to forget
Uncovering those stories we want to remember
And documenting them so we can keep them forever.
You'll get daily journal prompts to help guide your discovery and recall.
And access to our magical group journaling sessions
Where we learn and grow and make sense of our discoveries together.
This is the month you won't want to miss.
Learn more and register HERE.
3 Simple Ways to Jumpstart Your Journaling - Wednesday, August 7, 7pm Eastern
New to journaling? Fallen off the journaling wagon? Looking for ways to really make journaling work for you?
Join me for my signature workshop, 3 Simple Ways to Jumpstart Your Journaling.
We'll review the benefits of journaling, then get hands-on practice with three different techniques. You'll leave with an understanding of how to use these techniques as building blocks to create a journaling practice you love.
Register for your seat in this free workshop.
Card of the Week
This week’s card comes from The Language of Flowers Oracle by Cheralyn Darcey.
This Week’s 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 is it you don’t want to forget?
What stories do you need to capture while they’re still easy to recall?
Who is waiting for you to reach out and share your stories?
What important reminders do you need to hear?
Flip through an old journal. What messages stand out to you?
Happy Journaling!
