How One Quick Journal Prompt Can Inspire Three Surprising Results

I thought I had today’s And Other Things journal page all figured out.

It was filled with all the things you’d expect, including colourful prompts about things that go together and afternoon treats, and a playful twist in the word search list.

Little did I know that one sneaky prompt held a triple surprise. I can’t wait to tell you all about it — and in a brand new way!

But first, if you’d like to download this page for yourself, you’ll find it right here.*

Okay. Now that you have your page, let’s chat about that sneaky prompt!

I recorded my first ever voice memo on that very subject and sent it out with my newsletter, where I first shared this page.

It's unscripted and off the cuff – a peek at the joy and inspiration that can emerge while discovering new things in your journal.

Click below to listen!

P.S. If you have any difficulty playing the audio file or would prefer to read my message, I've included a transcript of the voice memo below.

P.P.S. If you missed the first three pages in my And Other Things series and would like to try them, you'll find them here, here, and here!

* The pdf file includes two versions of this journal page (colourful and greyscale) and two page sizes (letter and A4). For instructions on printing one or more pages, visit my shop welcome page and scroll to the bottom.

Voice Memo Transcript

Hi there, it's Christie.

Welcome to my first ever Newsletter Voice Memo!

Today I'm sharing a few thoughts about the newest page in my And Other Things printable journal page series where I'm taking a playful approach to the serious reflective work we do in our journals.

I hope when you see this page for the first time the playful part will jump right out at you. It's super colourful and filled with hand-lettered prompts that explore lots of different ways we can reflect on our days and get to know ourselves better in our journals.

If you'd like to download a copy of this page for yourself, you can! It's available right here in the newsletter. You just need to click the link above the image.

I wanted to chat with you today about one of the prompts on this journal page that really surprised me. And, of course, it wasn't the one that I thought was going to surprise me.

There were two prompts I was super excited about sharing. The first is at the top of the page. It's a new prompt called things that go together and I was excited to share it with you because it's one I haven't used before. I haven't used anything like it before in my other journal pages, so I was really excited to share it in this page.

There's also a word search. There are other word searches in this series, but this one has a bit of a twist. I've mixed up some of the words in the word list, so you'll have to put them back together before you can find the words in the puzzle.

But neither of those two prompts is the one that surprised me!

For a little bit of background: in each of the pages in this series, I've tried to include at least one prompt that reminds us how strong and capable we are, how much we do every day, what our strengths are. I try to do it in a way that's super specific because I think it can be really difficult – for example, if someone asks you, “hey, what are you good at?” – it's hard, on the spot, to come up with an answer. But if someone asks you something very specific about one of your skills, sometimes it's a little bit easier to reflect on the question.

The prompt that surprised me in this page is: When your day is super busy, one thing you're good at.

The prompt looks for you to imagine one of those super busy days where there are a million things happening at once and you're running in all sorts of different directions. And on those days, you know, what are the parts you're really good at?

When I answered this prompt, I came up with two answers. One was calming myself down when I get a little bit flustered during a busy day and the other one was finding perspective, finding perspective in terms of, what are my priorities for the day? What do I really need to get done? And making sure that at least those things get done even if the rest of the day is very difficult to navigate.

I wrote those two answers down in the prompt and finished the rest of the page. Then I sat back to kind of reflect on the page, review it, and think about what my takeaways might be. And when I looked back on this one prompt, it dawned on me that, yes, these are the things that I think that I'm pretty good at in the middle of a busy busy day, but they're also the things I need in the in the middle of a busy day.

When it's super busy, I need to find ways to calm myself down, I need to be calm in order to navigate it well. And I need to know what my priorities are. I need to have a good perspective on what I want to accomplish on that day. That was part of the surprise of this prompt. It turned out that it wasn't just a prompt about what I'm good at. It turned out to be a prompt about what I need as well.

And then when I took another look at it, I realized there's a third aspect to this prompt. It's kind of a how-to. I've kind of given myself, with those two answers, a little bit of a how-to on a busy day – how to make the most, how to get the most out of a busy day. One is to make sure that I'm calm, that I go into that day calmly and continue calmly through it as much as I can and the other is to make sure I have a good perspective on what I want to accomplish.

So, you know, when I started answering this prompt, it was super simple. It was just trying to reflect on the things that I'm good at. But when I saw it on the page, when I sat back and really looked at it, I saw there was so much more to it.

It reminded me what I need so that I can remember that on busy days and it gave me a little bit of a an action list of things that I can do when I'm in the middle of a busy day and find myself flustered or overwhelmed. 

I wanted to share that with you. I'd love for you to journal this page for yourself and see which prompts surprise you. I hope you'll love journaling this page, and I hope you'll let me know how it goes for you!

 

Backstitch journals

Tinkering with a new journal project. These are the first four tiny journals, each containing short journal entries focusing on one step forward in my thinking and doing.

I’ve pared down my process to two simple prompts: “last time,” then “this time”. Each new journal is connected to the one that came before. One journal’s “this time” is the next journal’s “last time,” which gives me the chance look back for a moment and reflect on what I’ve done so far before deciding what to do next.

That forward-backward rhythm reminds me of the backstitch in sewing and embroidery, which creates a strong, unbroken line by bringing new stitches back to connect with the ones that came before — until finally you’ve created something that endures.

 

Uncomfortable Journaling and How to Get Past It

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I do a fair bit of reading about the role of reflective journaling in learning -- especially adult learning. Reflection itself is an awesome thoughts-to-action process. Awesome. It aims directly at the core of who you are and what you're capable of achieving and that, I assure you, is riveting subject matter for your journal. (More about this below, I promise.)

But.

It's not an easy process. Not by a long shot.

Almost every article, paper and book I encounter includes variations of these two warnings:

  1. Reflection, in order to be effective, requires consistent effort and encouragement.

  2. Reflection is often uncomfortable, even painful.

Every time I read one of these warnings, I think, "I should write about this." And I do. Sort of. I start a blog post or email on the subject and then, about halfway through, I give up because it feels ... uncomfortable.

In my own journal practice, even after many years, putting my thoughts in writing is still uncomfortable at times. Awkward. Cringeworthy. Icky. Painful. Even the simplest things, like capturing a moment or two from an ordinary day, can be tricky. I think it's because journaling brings you face to face with yourself, your choices and circumstances, and what you see doesn't always meet your expectations.

Why on earth would you want to put yourself through that?

For me, it's what's waiting on the other side, just past the discomfort, that makes it worth the effort time after time. And what's waiting are the very best parts of yourself -- the strong and brave parts, the parts that are capable of change and growth, the parts that are kind and generous and funny and brilliant and utterly unique.

Reflective journaling is a surprisingly effective tool for getting to know the best parts of yourself, for building faith in yourself, for recognizing that you can do what you set out to do, and for getting out there and doing it.

Even the pain has its uses. I've found that noticing the pain in my own experiences in the course of my journaling helps me notice it in others too. It helps me see them struggling in ways that I'm struggling and reminds me to consider our common ground before jumping to conclusions about things said or done.

Long story short, I love every bit of it, even the discomfort, because it deepens my experience of the world. It makes me appreciate the good stuff all the more and it makes life more interesting. In fact, it doesn't just make life more interesting -- journaling makes us more interesting. Each of us, including you. And you are fascinating, I promise you. You have a singular story to tell. You have an important voice to add to the conversation. You have a one-of-a-kind path forward to create for yourself.

So, let's get to that good stuff together, shall we?

Here are three ways I've learned to journal through the uncomfortable parts along the way to best parts:

1. Reflect in small doses. This is how I journal the tough stuff, like heartache and failure -- small doses. And colourful spaces for writing and prompts that are grounded as much as possible in just one tiny part of the here and now. So I don't end up in the weeds. So I can take it one tiny step at a time and, for the most part, enjoy moments of progress and make note of the growth spurts along the way.

2. Adopt an attitude that is relentlessly positive. This drives my kids nuts -- because I'm always pointing out the silver linings in their clouds -- but I stand by it. Failure is an opportunity to learn. A problem well stated is half solved. Bad times remind us what's important to us. I'm not saying I'm always a ray of sunshine, far from it, but even in my darkest hours, it has become a habit to search for the good stuff and it always makes a difference in the speed and the manner in which I find my way back to the light.

3. Make it your own. There are no rules in journaling. Find the times and tools and methods and words that work best for you. Experiment, take breaks, start over, keep the stuff that keeps you journaling and get rid of the stuff that doesn't. When your journaling practice is your own, it can see you through to the good stuff.

One last thought

I'm here to help. I want to encourage your journaling any way I can.

  • If you're looking for a place to start on your own, you can download many of my small dose journal pages for free from my shop.

  • If you'd like some personalized, one-on-one encouragement, you can try a mini journal adventure.

  • If you'd just like to say hello and chat about your journal practice (or the journal practice you'd like to develop), leave a comment below or send me an email with your thoughts -- even if they're uncomfortable. I'd love to hear from you and I'll be thrilled to chat.

 

How to Start Journaling Again

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From time to time, I struggle to write in my journal, especially when I'm stressed. I tell myself that I don't want to see a parade of negative thoughts in written form or that I don't have the energy to wade through a tangle of emotions. Yet, when I finally do open my journal, I invariably find that there's a lot of good mixed in with the bad. Writing in my journal gives me the perspective I need to recognize all sorts of interesting, even delightful, ways to move forward. Even a super-quick jotdown provides a much needed boost of energy and optimism. Long story short, it's always good to be back and I wonder why I ever stopped!

If you've stepped away from your journal routine and aren't sure how start again, here are four ways I've discovered over the years to find your way back:

1. Gift yourself with the option of going back to your journal guilt-free. If you think you've been away too long, I promise, you haven't. It's never too late to start again. Think of your journal as an old friend who loves you exactly as you are and understands that you can't always be in touch when life gets busy. Your journal is a safe, judgment-free zone for writing what you need to write when you need to write it. Just jump in, start writing, and let the time between entries fade away.

2. Write anything down, anything at all. Start with the date. Then, perhaps, the weather outside. Then, maybe, a thought about your day so far. If the words still don't come, try someone else's words. Write a quote or a line from a song you love, then one thought about why you love it and how it relates to this moment. Write the punchline to your favourite joke, then one thought about why it sticks with you. Alternatively, consider a list: things you're grateful for, good things, people you adore, things you're looking forward to.

3. Keep your journal in a place where you'll see it when you're most likely to write. If you're an early morning or nighttime writer, keep your journal on the nightstand. If you're a daytime journaler, try giving it a spot on (or in) your desk or in your handbag, where you're sure to find it during the day.

4. Even if you don't feel like writing, pick up your journal and read a page or two from a previous entry. You may find yourself returning to a memory that makes you smile. You may realize how far you've come since you last wrote. You may find compassion for yourself and the challenges you face. You may find a little inspiration and energy for the days ahead. You may feel the urge to write again! I tend to find a lot of humour in my previous journal entries. I'm forever trying new, often odd, things with mixed results. I take myself and my missteps a lot less seriously in my journal and it's a perspective on life that always cheers me up!

I hope these tips will help you find your way back to your journal. If they do, let me know which ones worked for you by leaving a comment below. I'd love to hear from you!

 

Love - Free printable journal page roundup

It’s almost impossible, I think, to spend time writing about the people, places and pursuits you love and not feel lifted, at least a little, by all that love. I created this super quick and colourful page to inspire you to notice the love around you (and within you!) from six different perspectives. It’ll only take minutes to journal, but you may find, like I did today, that it brightens your whole day.

If you’d like to give it a try, you can download my love journal page by clicking on the image above or by visiting my collection of colourful words journal pages.

If you’d like to journal more of my pages, here’s a list of previous pages featured in my free journal page roundup:

10 Minutes to Reflect on Your Day

When You Need to Find a Little Extraordinary in Your Ordinary

Little Things that Mean a Lot

For additional information on page sizes and printing, visit my printables welcome page.

Hi, I'm Christie. I create printable guided journal pages filled with bright colours and a resilient spirit aimed at documenting life's celebrations and learning from its challenges. My goal is to give you a quick and colourful collection of good reasons to start journaling right now. For even more journal inspiration, sign up to receive my free e-book, 10 Good Reasons to Journal.

 

What Your Journal Should Do For You - Right Now and As You Move Forward

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I’m just going to put it out there. I want my journal to do it all.

I want it to be a tool for:

  • getting to know myself better,

  • noticing and understanding what’s happening around me,

  • making notes about the things I’m learning,

  • thinking through challenges and how to overcome them,

  • setting goals, moving toward them, and tracking my progress,

  • capturing important memories,

  • exploring new ideas before I put them out into the world,

  • developing my voice, improving my writing, growing my confidence, accepting and embracing who I am,

  • practicing my handwriting, lettering, painting, sketching, and other ways to express myself,

  • taking a close look at my days and thinking about how to make the most of them, and

  • just about everything else that involves creating a meaningful, purposeful life.

That’s a big ask for one journal, so I have three: a notebook, a sketchbook, and a binder. Between the three, I journal almost daily, either by writing in my notebook, playing with paint or collage in my sketchbook, and/or adding entries to my journal calendar or other printable pages in my binder.

As you may have noticed, I need a lot of variety in my journaling, along with a sense of spontaneity and an absence of limitations. It’s also important to me that my journal accommodate nearly every facet of my life. After many years of trial and error and no small amount worrying that I might not be doing it right, I have made my journal my own.

And therein lies my view of what our journals should do for each one of us. In my view, a rewarding journal practice should embrace and reflect the fullness of our lives -- for better or worse, in good times and in bad, so that we can write what needs to be written and remember what we want to remember and work to achieve what we want to achieve.

Further, I believe a rewarding journal practice has two parts:

  1. The journaling itself, in that moment while you’re writing or drawing or typing, should be rewarding. It should be interesting (even fun!), insightful, and moving. It should spark ideas and discoveries that you can explore further or put into use right now.

  2. The cumulative result of your journaling should also be rewarding. The work you do in your journal should be meaningful and significant to you as you learn and grow. It should help you become the person you want to be.

And since we are all different and unique, every journal will be different and unique.

I’d like to spend some time over the next few weeks writing about ways to make your journal your own. In addition to creating a wide variety of printable journal pages that aim to support a rewarding journal practice, I have collected a variety of tips and tricks over the years for making the most of your journal. To get the ball rolling, I’ll share the one thing I’ve learned so far that means the most to me: when you make your journal your own, you’re one step closer to making your life your own.