Hello everyone! This month I'm going to chat about journals...
Journaling is for all ages! Let them be creative |
There are probably as many ways to journal as there are romance authors – And that’s a lot!
Just like no two authors will tell the boy meets the girl story alike. No two people will journal the same.
Because everyone journals for different reasons, much like how every boy will fall in love a little differently.
Just like the romance catorgery has a long list of subgenres - suspense, horror, cozy, erotica, and historical to name a few - journals come in many types - time capsule, daily, one word, manifestation, and affirmation (the one I'm going to talk about today).
So let's start with what I consider an affirmation...
I think our minds are the most powerful instrument we have, our thoughts and beliefs are something we consciously and subconsciously repeat to ourselves over and over again throughout the day.
Like... I'm a great writer. I'm an amazing mom.
We don’t always realise we are holding onto these thoughts and letting them loop in our mind because we live by them without questioning them. Some thoughts are really supportive and positive whereas others are toxic and extremely limiting, leading to that feeling of self-loathing and worthlessness.
An affirmation is a way for us to re-write and consciously choose the thoughts that will best support us, at the same time letting go of the negative thoughts that no longer have a place or purpose. Reading that, it may sound simple but it’s not as easy as eating your favorite doughnut (I wish it were,) it takes time and focus and a real want to change your mindset and undo years of quite often, negative thought patterns.
First, start by spending some time thinking about your internal thoughts. What is on loop in your mind? Make a list of what your tops one are. This part is really a week or longer process. Just because I think I suck as a mom on Monday doesn't mean that I feel that way all the time. Maybe I'm just having a bad day. Charlie is having a bad day making me doubt myself... but by noting that this is something I feel on occasion I can set up a journal page for it. Now this page may simply have "I'm a great grandma to Charlie" written on it. Or it may have a favorite parenting quote. Or I print pictures and glue them into my journal
Charlie and Milo... the smile says it all |
3 comments:
What an interesting approach to journaling, Lyncee. I must admit I'd never thought of a journal being a scrapbook, or doodle page, as well as writing. From about the age of 10 to the end of high school I was a constant journaler. Or, in those days, we called it a diary. I wrote down what happened each day and my thoughts about it. In high school, it was probably one of the things that kept me from spiraling into negativity or depression.
I also think all that writing helped me to slow down my thoughts and look at them, to find words to explain them--a lot like therapy, though I didn't know what therapy was then. Having learned how to express events and emotions I'm sure has also helped me in writing fiction and conflict as well.
What you've shown me is that it doesn't have to be words. I'm going to share this with one of my nieces who doesn't like writing or reading (she has some perceptual difficulties) but loves to draw, create, and talk. I think your scrapbook method, maybe combined with some audio recordings would be a great way for her to express what's going on in her life. Thank you!
Great post, Lyncee! I love the idea of an Affirmation Journal. Super awesome :-)
Lyncee, the picture of Charlie and Milo gladdens my heart. If I had a journal, I'd put it on Page 1. Seeing a young boy and his dog showing the abundant joy they are feeling in that moment is a gift.
Two of my women's circle are avid journal writers. They are also amazing artists so they draw as well as cut out pictures, tuck in cards and notes they receive from others that have an image or message that speaks to them.
And, your message about the negative self-talk loop is so true. I do catch myself from time to time and just stop and say "cancel, cancel, cancel" and then whatever the subject is I create a positive statement and repeat that at least 3 times.
Thank you for sharing your passion!
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