Day 7: The Stops & Go's of Journaling

On the journaling adventure you might encounter bumps, hills, stops and even roadblocks along the way!  At least I do!  Rest assured, it's normal and I'm here to inspire you and encourage you to pick yourself up and carry on...the rewards are well worth the journey!  This was the perfect topic for today's blog as I got stopped in my own blogging and haven't showed up in awhile!  I could give you a list of excuses (road bumps) for why I haven't been here...and I will - because they will be the perfect start to the things that might get in your way!
10 Potential Stops (excuses that get in the way of what you truly want)....

1. I have too many other things to do
2. I don't have time
3. I don't "feel" like it
4. I don't have anything to say
5. I'm not a writer
6. I'm not seeing the rewards
7. I'm afraid someone will find it
8. I'm afraid of opening the flood gates (emotion)
9. It feels selfish
10. I don't know where to begin
11. I'm afraid of what I might find

10 Reasons to keep on going...

1. Your sanity - you will have more fun and feel better doing all you do!
2. By taking time for you - you will actually find your energy elevates, your focus increases and you have more time to do all you truly want to do!
3. You will feel better and sigh relief by just clearing thought
4. Clear the clutter, negativity and the mind chatter that clouds your perspective
5. Reap the rewards of clearing the mind - and BE fully in the moment!
6. You just might discover your "voice" - your unique expression and view of life
7. Keep showing up and the rewards will knock your socks off!
8. Discover what stirs your heart, and makes you feel alive and inspired
9. Shift focus...Let go...Embrace change
10. Make time to find your quiet center, where you feel calm and confident amidst everything else!

Remember, there's no right way to journal, just YOUR way!

The Journaling Lounge is Open!

I am so excited!  The Journaling Lounge is open, alive and real!  It opened at midnight!  The idea surfaced in my journal, incubated in my journal, and grew in my journal.  Writing supported the entire process from conception of idea to action plan, to writing through doubt, fear, and uncertainty.  It's where I searched and found the courage to carry through on many a day.  And...now it's alive and real, taking on a life of its own where others can write, share stories, be inspired, stretch and grow into their magnificence!  Write it down, make it real...it works!

Come join me and others at The Journaling Lounge writing our way!  It is a community of people inspired to write, to turn up the volume on happy and take surviving to thriving!  You can create your online journal for free....and then from there sign up for Guided Journaling Experiences that will take you into various areas of life with guided prompts to ignite the writer in you!  Go to http://www.sanityjournals.com/ to create your free online journal!  See you at The Lounge!

Day 6: Journal Through Big Feelings...

I have journaled through the many faces of being human.  Next time you encounter BIG FEELINGS, pause and DO something different.  If possible, hold off on reaction and GRAB A JOURNAL, QUICK!  Write your way through the emotion.  Embrace it, HONOR IT, ALL WITH THE INTENTION TO MOVE THROUGH IT! 

ANGER....move through the feeling - voice it, get it out.  Stand back, remember your commitment to the situation at hand and make a choice from there.  Get clear about what, if anything needs to be communicated. 
OVERWHELM...write down everything that has you overwhelmed.  Stand back and prioritize.  Just getting it out of your head will make you feel better.  Then, prioritize and put into today, tomorrow, next week and next month categories.  Sign relief...
TAPPED OUT...take 5 minutes to write...unwind, relax and get present once again to the big picture.
HURT...write it out and try on taking responsibility and care for the hurt part of you! 
INSPIRED & ENERGETIC...have a journal handy for the funnel of ideas that come your way!

and so many more....for another day!
Feelings are just feelings...it's what you do with them that MAKES THE DIFFERENCE.  Next time, you encounter BIG FEELINGS grab your journal, sort it out, and ACT based on your commitments (what you truly want) and see what happens!

The Journaling Lounge Opens in Two Days!  I can't wait to see you there!

Day 5: A Glimpse into My Journal

So...on Day 2 of this series "Into a World of Journaling" I created "cheering myself on in life" as my focus.  This was a far-out concept at one time for me and even today feels a tad daunting.  I take this on knowing that if I could be successful part of the time I would greatly shift my reality.  Here's a glimpse in my journal from yesterday...

Cheering myself on...what does that mean for today?  It means being there for myself, telling myself "I can" accomplish what's in front of me, that "I can" complete all I need to do to launch the Journaling Lounge next week!  It means being diligent with my thoughts and steering them back on track when they want to dive into the gutter of negativity and self doubt.  It means I will write through worry and doubt when they show up.  It means when I fall down, it's not an opportunity to criticize, but a chance to pick myself up and carry on.  It means I will hold the vision of what I am up to in front of me and keep my eyes on what stirs my passion.  It means communicating with my loved ones when I need help.  It means taking care of my well-being even when it feels like I don't have time.  It means doing the things that I say are most important in the face of a long to-do list.  It means seeking and honoring the truth, even when it means taking a risk.  What if I could cheer myself on, just as I would a dear friend?

Have you declared a focus in your journal?  Are you willing to share?  I'd love to hear!

Day 4: An Imaginary Conversation...

I used to process things over and over in my mind...looking for the "right" answer or solution often to my own exhaustion, not to mention my missing out on the moment at hand because I was lost in my head thinking. I now almost always go to my journal when I catch myself in that processing mode - because I know from experience the power and purpose that takes place when I write. I can move through issues and feelings with more focus, intention and velocity - the truth surfaces and I can see things with intense clarity and wisdom.

Try this...

An imaginary conversation...it happened in my journal one day - I was stewing over a challenge in my life and had the thought, I should call my friend - I knew she would have great advice for me.  Without thinking any further, I began writing - asking the questions I had of her and realized the answers were right there - I was able to work out the situation through my imaginary conversation with her in my journal - sounds kinda crazy I know - but, IT WORKED!

Try it!  Bring a challenge you are faced with, or something that sits heavy on your heart to your journal today.  Think of someone you trust for great, honest advice. 

Have an imaginary conversation with them in your journal.  Ask questions, and then write down what they would tell you.  Share your experience!

Day 3: Fear Shows Up...

Fear...one of the things that naturally occurs after you have declared you will do something new, take on something in a bigger way, or just merely say YES.  Fear shows up - it's almost inevitable.  For me it appears as that voice in my head showing me and telling me everything that could go wrong, every reason why I can't and then doubt whooshes in pulling all the greatness I felt when declaring yes...and next thing I know my exuberant yes is feeling more like a deflated no.   Fear naturally shows up when we declare we will write or take on a journaling practice.  What if...you could befriend this part of the process...knowing it's a necessary step disguised as "scary" and "bad" and a step that YOU can move boldly through. 

What if these thoughts and feelings no longer controlled you, but you had courage and power to notice, evaluate and determine for yourself if they are a "real" threat to you.  What if these thoughts and questions are pointing you to the actions that need to take place in order for you to step out, grow and move forward.  By paying attention you might see a conversation that has to take place, an insecurity you want to embrace and move past, or an old belief that no longer serves you or anyone else.
So, as you dive into the world of journaling, begin to pay attention and notice what occurs during and AFTER the writing - it may be just as or more valuable!

So what came up for you?  If you've been following since Day 1 - wrap your arms around any fear that showed up knowing it's a healthy part of the process.  Your job is to find out what's under the disguise - it is there you will access the freedom to move past.  If you haven't yet engaged in Day 2 - I double dog dare you to begin now!

Day 2: Taking the Plunge...

and that's what it is...it really just takes diving in, doing it, and saying goodbye to all the excuses and reasons why you can't (and I know you have good ones).  Keep in mind...there is no "perfect" time to journal. It doesn't require a hammock on the beach or peaceful, insightful feelings. Begin right where YOU are - even if it is amidst the chaos.


It means having a notebook handy in lots of places so when the need or time arises you are prepared! 
You may feel intimidated or overwhelmed by where to start!  Start by making the journal YOURS!  Write your name in it, fill it with pictures that you love, colors that uplift and words that inspire!  Open the notebook and create an intention or focus for your writing.  Here's what I do...  My focus for this journal will be __________  My writing represents the beginning of ___________________  and I invite ____________________ into my life by taking the time to step away from the busyness to be still.  It is sooo important to create a vision for what you want to have happen as a result of you taking the time to write.  It will not only guide your writing, but will keep you coming back again and again.  The key here is to read your intention often, it just might be what moves you from all the excuses of why you can't and don't have the time to journal into what is possible if you do!   Remember, writing doesn't have to take a lot of time - 5 or 10 minutes will do!  It does require your willingness to show up and engage fully!

Today's Exercise...

So take a journal or notebook off your shelf that is waiting to be used and begin by making it YOURS!  Then tell us all about it, take pictures, share what the process was like for you, ask questions - I would love to hear from you!  See you soon!