I've been hearing from new Journaling Sisters this week that either they'd like to start journaling in their lives, or they'd like to use it to help writer's block. I can certainly understand that. A longtime writer's block is certainly not fun, whether you consider yourself a writer, or just a regular journaler!
Journaling is one of those things that can seem especially deceptively simple! All it is is paper and pen and... you. What could be more easy? Now just start writing!
Or it can seem old-fashioned: What? Journal? Like in a notebook? How old-school!
[VIDEO RECOMMENDATION: I wrote this listening and watching this 'snowy' video. If you like soft music while you're thinking or writing then I suggest you read this post with this video as backdrop. We don't get this scenery down in Texas but it sure makes me feel cozy and wintry. I hope you enjoy it too!]
And yet, by the number of people who talk about how they haven't journaled in a long time, but they 'would really like to,' shows how NOT straightforward it is!
I talk in this video here about why journaling feels difficult. There are a few reasons. Namely, because paying attention to our feelings, is not how we're raised usually and not what this society encourages.
Generally we are encouraged to stuff down our feelings, in so many different ways! They include: coffee, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, painkillers, video games, movies, TV, shopping, etc. There is such a diverse range of options to distract ourselves with!
I'm certainly not saying that I don't indulge in some of these things. If you read my newsletter or blog you know I've been loving my Gilmore Girls show! (O how I love thee!) But all of these things do a good job of distracting one from one's stresses or feelings or whatever might be bothering us at that moment.
I know sometimes after A LONG DAY at work, the absolute last thing you may want to do is crack open your journal. And hey, I get it!
I always advocate change in bite-sized pieces. And I read somewhere having it be even TEENY-TINY pieces work best.
So my January challenge for you beginning journalers out there is to start with just ONE SENTENCE. Yup, that's it. Just 1 sentence a day. That's not too painful is it?
You'll still need to find a NICE JOURNAL that you really really like.
And a PEN that you LOVE to write with.
This is very important.
This way you will look forward to your special time with your journal.
Even when all the anti-journal feelings rear their ugly head and say:
"I don't want to journal! I don't know what to say."
"I don't feel anything."
"I don't have anything interesting to say!"
"What's the point anyway?"
"No one will want to read it after I'm gone and I probably don't want anyone to read it after I'm gone anyways!"
And if you are a semi-regular journaler already, that's AWESOME!
Here is your journaling question for the week:
Now that you have your word for the year (if you don't read this post first) ---
What are the top 5 ways that you can create or invite YOUR WORD into your life? Is there any theme that comes out?
I would love to hear your WORD FOR THE YEAR below...
Mine is MAGICAL. I realized that what's most important to me is having daily magical moments in my life. It does not need to be one big trip. But thinking about how I will create magical moments in my daily life.
What's yours??