In an online world where sharing has become second-nature, journaling provides a judgement-free space to document and reflect. Discover how keeping a journal can help you cultivate joy with 2 weeks of prompts to get you started.
Journaling is ritualistic for me – from the notebook I lovingly select (always leatherbound, A5 and lined) to the pen I write with (a fountain pen with blue ink). I’ve found my fabuleuse du jour in putting pen to paper for years. I’m fiercely proud of the stack of journals on my bookshelf that date back to my teens, their pages stiff with words.
In an ‘always on’ world, sharing has become second nature to us. A journal is a welcome change to that; it’s a space for expression without an audience. In the pages of a notebook, there’s no expectation of comment or hits or engagement rates. There’s nothing but blank space, waiting to be filled by whatever you make it.
And that’s what keeps me coming back to journaling. There are no rules. I can illustrate my thoughts in any way I want to. One of the most liberating pieces of advice I’ve heard about journaling is to relinquish the idea of anyone ever seeing it. We associate diaries with future generations stumbling across them in a dusty attic, but that takes away the magic of keeping a journal.
Living alone during a national lockdown, I’m finding solace in the pages of my journal more than ever. I created these prompts for anyone who would like to find the same.
These prompts have been designed with two purposes in mind:
- To encourage reflection about what brings you joy, so you can incorporate more of it into your life.
- If you’re writing during lockdown…to document your thoughts as you process living through this global shift.
What you’ll get out of this challenge:
- You’ll identify your patterns, both constructive and destructive.
- A judgement-free space to document and reflect.
- An attitude of gratitude.
- A sense of accomplishment – you can spend as long or a little time on this each day as you like.
- An inventory of the daily habits that bring you joy, and which aren’t so helpful.
- Maybe even a new self-care ritual!
Happy journaling!
Sinéad xo
