Tell me about your day

The longer I journal, the more I appreciate the stories of our days. Short enough to wrap our heads around, long enough to recognize the actions and reactions, big and small, that made a difference.

When we tie those stories together over weeks and months, moments become patterns, choices become paths, and, if we’re so inclined, the insights that emerge become opportunities for transformation. It’s a line of inquiry I find endlessly fascinating, with boundless potential.

If you’re up for sharing, tell me a little something about your day today. What’s one thing, big or small, you did today that made it better — more productive, more impactful, more enjoyable, or more interesting?

Patterns journal

Trying something new over here — when am I not trying something new? — a little journal to keep track of painted page and pattern experiments.

These aren’t the originals, but scanned and printed copies. Mostly to see how they scan and print and copy. Possibly material for future printables. Possibly not. I’m not entirely sure where I’m headed with this, but I do love the journey.

Reverse engineer your day

I wrote this margin note after reading a fascinating chapter on learning outcomes and wondering how to apply its principles to daily living. This little snippet of an idea emerged: what if, instead of thinking about your day from the morning forward, you worked your way backward? What if you thought about how you’d like your day to end and then what you could do to make it happen? What if you reverse engineered your days?

New printable journal pages almost ready to go . . .

What did you figure out today?

I’ve been thinking about new ways to play with colour and shapes in my journal pages — both my personal pages and my printables. Today, I think I figured out the beginnings of a new journal project — one that will involve a little paint, a scanner and lots of prompts. I love new projects!

What did you figure out today?

The 7 characteristics I'm bringing to my experiences this year

Last week, Joy the Baker wrote about the 6 ingredients she’s baking with this year and her post has been on my mind ever since.

She wrote:

With the new year coming into focus I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to play with in my kitchen, what I want my baking to taste like, and how I want to stretch myself and my ingredient list.

It got me thinking about applying this approach to my own life. What ideas do I want to play with this year? What do I want my experiences to be like? How do I want to stretch myself?

I wrote my answers in my journal, above. Thank you, Joy, for the inspiration!

How about you? What characteristics are you bringing to your experiences this year?

Painted paper

Growing my painted paper stash for future journal pages . . .

What if you don't even feel that way anymore?

I read a passage recently about using reflection to be mindful of old emotions in new circumstances. I wrote in the margin and then my journal: what if you don’t even feel that way anymore?

It’s such a simple formula for letting go of an old hurt or insecurity. And when you do, it’s incredibly gratifying to realize you’ve grown to the point that something that might have ruined your day once upon a time, is now easily dismissed in favour of more constructive thoughts and experiences.

Hot chocolate and old movies

Anyone else out there feel like making hot chocolate and watching old movies until New Year’s?

To see it all as if for the first time

I’ve been reading up on critical reflection and making lots of margin notes. This one — to see it all as if for the first time — made it into my journal last week, along with snippets of paper I lined, dashed, and dotted.

It’s part reminder and part inspiration for future printables — to find new ways to see and experience everyday events, to remember how it felt the first time, to notice the little details that make repeated routines unique, to be grateful the first time and the hundredth time.

I’m thinking it might come together in a new 10 minute journal page. I’ll keep you posted!