Journaling......

Filled Journals from the past 5 years.

Journaling……

Make it fun.

Make it colorful.

Make it your own.

There’s no right or wrong, no quiz at the end, it’s all about you!

I started journaling many years ago when there was no one to talk to. It was my way of getting things out and off my chest. It felt good releasing all that soot, you know all the black, dusty, leftover burnt crap that hangs around like sticky residue. Dump the negativity into pages, close it up and lock it away for later or whatever.

Not everything was negative, there was sadness; the death of my horses, my dogs, my little sweet dwarf bunny that greeted me every morning when I first walked in the barn, until the day she didn’t. And there were some happy times, reflective times, a few good days, and bad days too. I would write when something or someone would upset me. In the beginning most of the writing was negative. Angry, sad, depressed, lonely, all of that and then some. Which is ok. You need to start somewhere.  

And then the new chapter, no, actually the new book began: I moved, finalized my divorce, took my name back, a new job, my own home, better life, another new job, new friends, and a purpose. The path I kept under wraps, the one I hid for so long, I almost forgot it was there, who I was really supposed to be. I couldn’t keep it hidden any longer. I journal almost every day, only now the chapters are bright and colorful, fun, optimistic, uplifting and full of gratitude. I write about the journey I’ve been on and how things have changed, what I have learned, and the many paths I've taken in this new book, as well as dreams and visions that I receive. I also write if something has bothered me or upset me, only now I use it as a tool, I look at it later and try to look at it as why did that bother me so much and try to look at it from another point of view.

I add colorful stickers, sayings, cards I’ve received, even positive affirmations that come on teabag strings, sometimes I draw, or put quotes in my own calligraphy. I use a different color ink each day. It separates the days and since the mood or the weather changes, so does the color or feel of each day. I have many journals that are filled, and many that are empty and waiting their turn for a chapter in the everyday ramblings of an old lady. They help me in so many ways, they don’t give away secrets, they don’t lie, and when I come back for information or to reminisce, I can truly see with an open point of view, or realize that a vision or a dream has been confirmed.

I read a book by Julia Cameron, she talks about morning pages, 3 pages a day. Somedays I can’t seem to get 1 full page written and others I’ll go 5 or more. I’ve always loved to write, the paper, the pen, I have a thing for pens, I write different depending on the ink and the feel of the barrel, the size and the texture. And the paper, there are blank pages, pages with dots, and lined pages, again, personal preference. Me? I need lines or I drift down off the page.  

Journaling is all about you, what you choose to do with it. Make it your own, enjoy the process, do it as often as you like or not. I truly hope you give it a try.

In Love & Light, Lisa

From the past......

New journals waiting their turn (left) Journals with prompts to write about (middle) And special journals, for road trips etc.(right)