This week is all about the things we know. (Because I've always believed that we know more than we realize.)
I was only going to write one prompt on the subject, but as soon as I did, a whole bunch of variations came to mind as well. So, I've decided to post one "In the Know" prompt every day this week, starting with this one:
Three things you know about yourself.
What's on your list?
Thought I'd start the week on a high note with a quick and colourful opportunity to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. What are your triumphs, big and small? What three things did you do well today?
I can't decide which is better, the thrill of starting a new project or the satisfaction of finishing an old one. I'm looking forward to finishing the planning for an upcoming fundraiser at my youngest daughter's school. It ends with a huge pasta dinner and a super-fun evening at the school. I can't wait to start my first 5-day, real-time journal session next week on Patreon. I'm a little nervous about trying something new, but mostly excited to see how it goes!
What are you up to these days? Which projects are you excited to start and finish?
This is one of my favourite prompts. On the surface, it looks like a big-picture prompt, but deeper down, it has reverberations you can feel on even the most ordinary days.
The last time I journaled this prompt, more than a year ago, my three things were: making a positive contribution, nurturing and celebrating loving relationships, and never stop learning. They haven't changed in the interim, but writing them again today gives me a renewed sense of purpose. It reminds me that I can experience everyday events in ways that matter to me -- like greeting a stranger with a smile, taking time to share memorable moments with my daughters, or noticing something about my world that I hadn't noticed before. It reminds me that each day has a part to play in a well-lived life.
How about you? What's on your list?
One of my new features over at Patreon is a weekly journal-related poll. I think it'll be a fun way to share our thoughts on journaling and develop new journal prompts and printables together.
This week I'm asking, "When do you journal?" and I've included responses such as "in the morning", "on weekends", "on vacation," and many more.
I've made this week's poll a public post so that you can give it a try. Once you've logged in -- it's free! -- you can add your responses and see the poll results so far.
If you'd like to share here in the comments instead, please do! I'd love to learn more about your journal practice!
I was so excited to send out my first Patreon reward today -- this little prompt right here! I haven't really said much about my new Patreon page, other than linking to it from my website homepage. It's a really interesting platform that I think will help me to continue creating and sharing my journal work in a more sustainable way. I'll write more about it in the coming days as I settle in.
In the meantime, let's get to the prompt. At the top of my list is continuing to explore Patreon. I feel like it's going to be such a good fit. Tomorrow, I'll post my first poll and I can't wait! Two more things I'd happily repeat tomorrow are (1) tea and homemade chocolate chip cookies for my afternoon break and (2) walking outside in the warm (well, almost warm) sunshine.
How about you? What's happening today that you'd gladly repeat tomorrow?
Gave the website a little makeover with a new front page. It's mostly me, explaining what I do, but it's also my love letter to journaling. I hope you'll take a peek. I'd love to know what you think!
I've almost finished updating a little series I created a few years ago for my newsletter. This time, a colourful little e-book is on the way. Can't wait to share it soon!
(Originally posted on June 23, 2017)
UPDATE at 7:30 pm EST: Wow!! Thank you so much for your interest in my little experiment! The response here, on Facebook, and by email has been overwhelming. Unfortunately, I won't be able to take any additional volunteers. I'll be sure to let you know if there's another experiment in the future.
Thanks again, so much, for your interest!
Is anyone up for a little journal experiment?
When I think carefully about why I’m so drawn to journaling, it comes down to two things: simplicity and transformation. On any given day, my journal entries are mostly about noticing. What works? What doesn’t work? What thrills me? What doesn’t thrill me? Over time, however, as these observations accumulate, they lead to small, gradual changes that make my life better – steering me away from the stuff that doesn’t work and toward the stuff that does.
It’s not earth shattering, but it is profoundly useful. It fills me with gratitude for what I have and it gives me the confidence to choose and pursue the goals that matter most. That’s the journaling I’d like to share with you and I’d like to explore ways to share it more directly.
My experiment, which is really a hunch on my part, is to email you one super-simple journal prompt every weekday for two weeks. In week one, you’ll answer the same prompt every day. In week two, it will involve progressive prompts on the same subject. Simply send me a quick reply each day and at the end of the week, I’ll round up your replies in a lovely little PDF and send them back to you (and only you) with some additional prompt suggestions.
The idea is that each PDF will give you a week’s accumulation of data all in one place. My hope is that you’ll begin to see patterns or trends in your data, leading you to discover small, but mighty, tweaks to your daily routine or your personal pursuits that will make your life better.
UPDATE: Thanks so much for your interest! Unfortunately, I won't be able to accept any additional volunteers. I'll be sure to keep you posted about any future experiments. (ORIGINAL POST: If that sounds intriguing to you and you’d like to give it a try (at no cost to you), send me a quick message to let me know and I’ll follow up with a start date.)