I added one of my mini guided journals — in its tiny envelope — to my journal. Then I cut out some scribbles, so I could write a little story about its beginnings.
I almost always find it easier to journal when I give myself a limited or unusual space to write. Today was no exception. Added bonus: it was fun!
What are you journaling about today?
I’m up to five mini guided journals, each with five different prompts on five themes. There are still a few details to be worked on and sorted out on the inside pages. The text spacing’s not quite right and the prompts need a bit of tweaking, but I love the size (1.75”x2.25”) and the colourful covers and stitching. After that, I’ll just have to figure out what to do with them.
What kinds of details are you working on and sorting out today?
I made a teeny, tiny guided journal to tuck into one of my new envelopes. It’s a combination of all of my favourite things — journal prompts, a bit of colourful paper, and a fairly decent excuse to break out the embroidery thread and hand stitch the binding. I’ve created several mini prototypes to test out — each with a different mini theme. I love the capacity for a side project to illuminate new pathways and new ideas.
What sorts of projects are you working on right now?
New project in the works — starting with tiny envelopes.
What are you up to today?
Update, April 10th, 4:00 pm EDT: A quick note to let you know that this secret journal prompt giveaway is now closed. Thank you so much to everyone who commented for sharing your replies to my journal prompt. I loved reading them all! I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be sending out a secret package to Jill, Larraine, Deb, Fantasia, Donna, Mariam, Laura, April, Skye, Beth, Amy, Mo, Julie, Hayley, and Robin. I decided to choose everyone! I’ll be in touch by email within the next day or so to obtain mailing instructions. Thanks again, so much, for journaling with me. :)
This project is a little more experimental than my usual experiments, which I kind of love — because who knows where it might lead? — but it also makes me more nervous than usual about posting it.
It was actually ready to go last week, but when the time came to write about it, I couldn’t figure out how to explain it. It’s journal-related, so there’s definitely that, but on a very small scale. I’ve made just five little packages with my printed painted pages, each with a mailing envelope and a smaller envelope inside containing three secret journal prompts.
Even now, I find it difficult to narrow the explanation down to one primary motivation. It’s partly about the colours — I’d like more excuses to paint and scan and print. It’s partly about finding better ways to reach out and connect — these pages and prompts come from a joyful place in my journaling and I’d like to share that in a personal, tangible way. It’s partly about seeking out new possibilities and new perspectives on the sorts of journals I make — maybe I’ll discover a new way to deliver prompts or encourage journaling that I hadn’t considered before. And it’s partly about creating a little magic — just for the fun of it.
Practically speaking, the prompts are small enough to be tucked or taped into a journal or stashed away in a pocket or drawer for future discovery. They’re just 2.25”x3” when folded. I’d like to send these five tiny packages out into the world and while the number is small right now, I’m open to making more, if this turns out to be something you’d like to see on a regular basis.
If you’re interested in receiving a little package from me, leave a comment in reply to the journal prompt below. In two days, on Wednesday, April 10th, at 3:00 pm EDT, I’ll choose five comments at random, announce them in an update to this post, and follow up with an email to each of the five commenters to obtain mailing instructions.
Here’s your prompt, one of my favourites: One thing about your day today that is exactly as you would like it to be.
Putting the finishing touches on a new set of journal pages. These ones are for the bumps in the road. I am convinced that journaling in these moments helps us see through them and beyond them; it helps us reconnect with our better, wiser, and more hopeful selves. Looking forward to sharing more later this week.
From my recent margin notes and into my journal — the soul knows. A haunting thought or a hopeful one? A bit of both, I think.
I considered making a prompt of it, perhaps “one thing your soul knows”, but it feels like it requires further explanation. Back to the drawing board for now.
Having a little more fun with my printed painted pages, making handmade envelopes and printing hidden journal prompts under the folds. I think I’d like to find a way to share these. Wouldn’t it be neat to find a colourful envelope and secret prompt in the mail? I’m not sure yet how to do it or how many I can send out, but I’m thinking about it.
I’m finally finding my rhythm in a project that feels overwhelming in scope and difficulty. I was reminded today, after a few false starts and more than a few postponements, that doing the hard work feels so much better than avoiding it — so much so that I’m adding that thought to my journal.
What are you working on today?
I made some tiny envelopes using my painted pattern pages and hid secret journal prompts inside. Shhh, don’t tell anyone.