I’ve been keeping journals ever since I was 8 years old. I’ve done this fervently and with great regularity, and I’ve done this sporadically and only when I’m at my absolutely lowest. This blog has been a journal for me of sorts, and through it I’ve worked through some monumental moments of my life. One thing that has always kept me writing here is the beautiful feedback from readers who say they were grateful to be able to relate to the various things I’ve written. It means so much to know I’m not alone, and that I’ve helped shed a little light into other people’s lives. Today, as our Inspired Monday post, I’m giving you something very new and special that I’m going to call The Journal Project.
Each day, I will invite you to journal with me. I’ll post a ‘starter’ or a suggested topic, and then I’ll write my own entry. You can use the form below each post to send me yours, and I will publish it anonymously. If you don’t want to share here, then you can use the starter to inspire an entry in a journal of your own creation, be it digital or physical, written word or visual art. In coming days, I hope to include some downloadable, printable journal pages that are so pretty you’ll be inspired to create.
I’d like to encourage you to share with us here because it’s been incredibly rewarding for me, and I think you’ll feel the same. The big wide world isn’t really so big, and it’s this beautiful connectedness that really keeps us filled with light. If we can build a little community here, wouldn’t we be so proud of ourselves?
I’ll be watching for nasty comments, and other negative stuff so I promise to always keep this Journal Project a safe space for sharing.
Starters and inspiration for The Journal Project will live under the Mommy’s Diary category. If I post something else on a given day, you can look forward to two posts from me.
Are you ready? Here we go!
1. The Jumping Off Point
Why is keeping a journal something that feels important to you right now?
My life is in a place of huge transition, and I can’t see where I’m heading. I’m trying in vain to stay “in the moment” and be grateful for everything that I have in my present tense, instead of being discouraged and preoccupied with the impossible-to-imagine future. I want to use my journaling to meditate on thankfulness and staying present in the now.
What has prevented you from journaling in the past?
Time is the great destroyer of all of my good creative intentions, or at least the way I manage time seems to get in the way. I need to carve out space for my own creativity, because I feel so much more at peace, and more myself when I am able to occupy some of my day with creating – be it writing or other creative endeavours.
What are three things from last week that you would like to avoid this week?
1. Though I had a lovely time with lots of different family, I’d like to be sure to spend more time on things for my own pleasure.
2. I’m going to embrace my PMS and self-medicate with chocolate to avoid any crankiness that might be directed towards my loved ones. I will balance this with daily yoga.
3. I’d like to ride my bike! Perhaps someone will help me install the baby’s seat on my bike so we can have a family ride!
Now It’s Your Turn!
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Reader Entries
I’m keeping a journal because I want to start writing things down so my kids have something to look back on when they are grown up.
I haven’t had much luck with journal writing in the past because I usually think that everything I write is lousy.
Three things from last week that I’d like to avoid:
1. Unexpected car expenses (thanks to the jerk who hit me in the parking lot of the grocery store and didn’t bother to leave a note).
2. Make more quiet time for myself.
3. Try to eat better. With three family functions in one week, there were too many temptations to stay on track.
By D. from Burlington, On
I wish I would started journaling when I was younger. Now that my kids are grown and I now have a grandson, it seems to be more important than ever to start writing so that when I am no longer here my little one will know more about me and my life as a mom.
I did start journaling several years ago but for some reason when I sit down with pen and journal the words just do not flow like I would like them to. I am told that does not matter.Just write what you are thinking and doing.
1. I would like to avoid eating too many ginger cookies at lunchtime.
2. I would love it if my husband brought dinner to me for a change. I have been doing it now for 43 years and don’t ever remember him cooking for me.
3.I would like to get out every morning and go for a fast walk either outside if weather is nice or go to the Mall and do a few rounds.
By ML, from Winona, ON