I tend to wish for the same two things every day — time and courage — and today is no exception. Daily life is often a little too fast and a little too scary for my liking, but it helps to reflect on the things I can do to make the most of the time I do have and to face the stuff that scares me — like setting priorities and taking big projects and decisions one tiny step at a time.
What did you wish today?
It has been such fun journaling the first seven days of January in my journal calendar. My gel pens are getting lots of exercise.
Today’s prompt is - listened to.
On my list: freezing rain dancing on our front window, an interview with Sandra Oh on CBC radio, a lovely cover of Elvis’s “Don’t Be Cruel” by Billy Swan (also on CBC radio), and school day recaps from my girls.
What did you listen to today?
Lines, dots, scribbles, and splats!
What did you make today?
My journal calendar prompt for January 3rd is decided. I went with two decisions I’ve made so far today and two I try to make every day. Here’s my entry:
Today: research and writing over painting, short sprint over long walk;
Ongoing: hope over despair, action over inaction.
What did you decide today?
Happy New Year, friends! I’ve just filled in January 2nd on my printable journal calendar and thought it might be fun to share my entries this month.
Today, first and foremost, I noticed the weather. It’s freezing! Thankfully, it’s not windy, so our trip to the dog park this morning was quite pleasant. While we were there, I noticed that our puppy, Sundae, seems much happier playing among many dogs than one on one. As more and more dogs arrive, she bounces from dog to dog, saying hello and making friends, hoping one or two will give her a good chase. It’s such fun to watch and after a few too many late nights, decadent treats, and out-of-town visits during the holidays, it’s lovely to get back to our usual routines.
What did you notice today?
Just in time for 2019, I made a printable journal calendar! It's jam-packed with more than 200 prompts that make it fun and easy to capture a memorable moment every day from January 1st to December 31st.
I’ve always believed that journaling brings together two important actions — the creation of a unique life’s record and the opportunity to find meaning and direction right there in the middle of it all.
But the longer I journal, the more I see that there’s even more to it than that. Equally valuable to the record created and the meaning and direction chosen is the potential for journaling to develop, strengthen, and broaden the mind and spirit.
The longer I journal, the more fascinating details I notice out there in the world, the more often I’m able to turn my attention to the things that matter most, even on my worst days, and the more deeply I’m able to appreciate each step along the way.
Long story short, it’s not just the journal, it’s the way that journaling sends us out into the world with curiosity, a desire to notice and take meaningful action, and an ever-better understanding of how to make the best of our own lives in our own way and in our own time.
Even if it starts with just a moment or two of reflection each day in a printable journal calendar.
Sending you my very best wishes for the remainder of 2018 and for a year to come filled with wonder and boundless possibilities for discovery.
I love everything about the word leap. It’s super-short, but it conjures up lively images of leaping for joy, leaping over puddles, and, when required, leaping the occasional tall building. It’s also the subject of a long list of sayings denoting progress, surprise, growth, and delight — all excellent food for thought and the inspiration for my newest colourful words journal page.
I had such a wonderful time writing the prompts for this page that I ended up taking a little leap of my own — from journal making to pattern making. I wondered if I could create some simple background patterns for pages in my journal. I played with shapes and colours in Illustrator and ended up with several options, which I printed and included in the photo above. But now I’m also wondering if I can find a fun way to include colourful patterns in my journal pages . . .
In the meantime, I hope this page will inspire you to leap to your journal and start writing!
I started a new journal today, which always feel so good. Oh, the possibilities!
I knew exactly what I wanted on the first page — a new do your thing printable I’ve been working on. I printed the half-letter version and glued it right onto page one.
It was such fun to create a whole page with huge type and just one prompt. I’ve already got my response in mind . . . of course, as so often happens, I can’t keep it to just one thing. So far, I’ve got optimism, journal pages, apple crisp, and a few more — all of which I’ll write there, on the first page, to remind me whenever I need it, to do my thing.
If you’d like a copy of my do your thing printable journal page, you’ll find it right here — and it’s free!
What do you do like no one else?
Lately, I’m dreaming of big, meaningful words and bright colours. This new journal experiment is a colourful reminder that dreams come in all sizes and your imagination can embrace them all — from the little ones just for today to the magnificent ones that reflect your unique approach to your one-of-a-kind life. Happy dreaming, friends!
Speaking of love . . . I’m in love with the way these pages came together. Playing with colourful words and writing whimsical, even surprising, prompts to go along with them . . . you guys, this stuff makes my day.
Each page is designed to be journaled in the moment and can be used over and over again, whenever you’re in the mood for some quick, colourful reflection on your one-of-a-kind world. All you have to do is print and start writing!
You’ll find them in the new Colourful Words section of my shop. (The love page . . . of course . . . is free!)
Happy journaling!