Taking Your Day Apart . . . and Putting it Back Together Again

Last week, I was thinking about some of the things I like best about journaling:

• discovering meaningful insights in everyday experiences

• finding joy right here, right now

• delving into the nuts and bolts of the stuff we do all the time but don’t really think much about

• reflecting on ways to turn new ideas into purposeful action

Somewhere in there, in the midst of my favourite things, an idea for a new printable journal page emerged: taking things apart and putting them back together again. Not physical things like bicycles or smart phones, but thoughts and ideas, habits and experiences.

It felt like the start of an adventure. Who knows where it could lead? You might take one of your ideas or personal practices apart, take a good look at all the pieces, find yourself nodding in appreciation and put it all back together just as it was before.

Or . . .

You might try putting it all back together and notice that a piece is missing or bent or just doesn't fit anymore. So you might tinker a little further with the nuts and bolts until you discover a new way to put the pieces back together -- one that works a little better than before or one that brings you new and unexpected joy.

I started with one of my favourite journal topics -- how we spend our days. Before I knew it, I had too many prompts for a single journal page. I couldn't help it! There were just so many interesting perspectives to explore. This one's a two-pager!

I know I'm going to turn this set into a series. I already have a bunch of ideas for other things to take apart and put back together again, but it might take awhile.

So here's an idea:

If you'd like to try using this journal two-pager to tinker with your day right now, I'll send it to you!

In the comments below (or by email if you’d prefer), tell me one important part of your daily routine and one reason it's important to you. Not only will you have already completed two of the prompts in this printable, but I'll be delighted to email you a few words of encouragement in return and the zip file* containing the pages so you can keep tinkering!

*The zip file will include all four of my usual page sizes: letter, half-letter, A4 and A5.

How to Start Journaling Again

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!

Lists of Three (a new printable journal page!)

I've been creating new journal pages lately and loving every step along the way, from exploring the twists and turns of daily living to writing journal prompts, putting them all in colourful boxes and sharing them with you! If you've missed any along the way, here's a recap:

First, there were the ones -- a quick list of inquisitive, not entirely random, feel good prompts . . .

Then came the twos -- a page full of super-short lists for journaling your great ideas, the people who make a difference in your life, the things you don't do anymore, the things you'll never stop doing, and lots more . . .

Today, it's all about lists of three . . .

I loved creating this set. It reminded me that one of the simplest and most immediate benefits of journaling is the way it brings the good stuff into focus. I hope these pages shine a bright light on your good stuff, too!

Update - July 23, 2020: Yesterday, I decided to make a change to one of the prompts on the threes page. I wrote about it here. I’ve updated the image and links to the revised version, but you can find the original page here.

What I'm Thinking About While Creating New Journal Pages

Here’s a short video of some of the things I'm thinking about when I'm creating new printable journal pages and journaling in my own journal. Spoiler alert: it's all about reflection!

Two of Your Great Ideas (a new printable journal page!)

Lately, I've been creating new journal pages filled with collections of mind-wandering prompts. Last week, I shared the ones. Today is all about the twos. You'll find a page full of super-short lists for journaling your great ideas, the people who make a difference in your life, the things you don't do anymore, the things you'll never stop doing, and lots more!

To download this journal page, click here or on the image above. (In order to give you lots of page/binder/planner size options, this page is offered in four sizes: letter, half-letter, A4, A5.)

I hope you'll find an unexpected insight (or two!) about yourself or your world as you hop from prompt to prompt. If you do, I'd love to hear about it. Let me know in the comments!

P.S. No need to stop at two! Use any of the prompts on this page to start a longer list in your journal.

P.P.S. If you enjoyed these pages, stay tuned for lists of three!

Behind the Scenes (and a new printable journal page!)

This is Sundae, our furriest family member. She is our constant companion, primary source of cuddly distraction, and chief mischief maker.

One day last week, I looked up from my desk and there she was, midway up the staircase, staring back at me. She looked the way I've been feeling. Kinda horizontal. Stuck a little sideways, not a lot of forward movement. (But deep down, wanting quite badly to create and connect to something hopeful (and vertical.))

Know what I mean?

So, I decided to put all of my stalled projects (there are so many!) aside and go back to basics with a set of new journal pages. No pressure, just a quick list of inquisitive, not entirely random, feel good prompts. The page below is the first of the series.

Can you guess the formats of the second and third pages? They're almost ready to post -- later this week, if all goes well. To download this one, click here or on the image above.

Happy journaling!

P.S. As always, in order to give you lots of page/binder/planner size options, this page is offered in four sizes: letter, half-letter, A4, A5.

Reflection Anticipates Action

Last week, I wrote in my newsletter:

“One phrase I've seen many times over the past few weeks in the wake of the killing of George Floyd and global protests against anti-black racism is ‘listening, learning, reflecting.’

The reference to reflection always catches my attention because it is a process that is dear to me and has become the focus of my learning, work, and personal development. It is front and centre in every talk I give about journaling and I always describe it this way:

’Reflection is at the core of the work we do in our journals. It's 'thinking with a purpose' and it's more than just recording events and experiences as they occur, although that's a big part of it! Reflection is also about making sense of those events and deciding what to do about them. In that way, it is an active, intentional process.’

Simply put, reflection anticipates action. It's a continual process of recognizing our experiences, teasing the lessons from them, and actively applying what we've learned to create new and better experiences. It's about thoughtful, intentional movement that takes into account what came before and what needs to be accomplished going forward.

It takes effort and practice, but it's a skill each of us can develop and put to good use. There are many elements of reflection that offer practical guidance, such as gathering lots of information from a wide variety of sources with an open mind and without immediately drawing conclusions, considering events from many different perspectives, and examining the ways our own biases and assumptions influence our actions and reactions.

Our journals are here for us in this moment -- to grapple with uncomfortable thoughts, try new ideas on for size, and visualize a different future for our communities. They're here for us to make plans for action, record our progress, and make new plans. They're here to encourage us, motivate us, and move us forward.

I don't live in the United States. I was born, raised, and still live in Canada where we have our own shameful history of racism. Systemic anti-black racism also exists here. The events of the past several weeks have made it clear to me that I have not listened, learned, or reflected enough about the devastating effects of systemic anti-black racism. I need and want to do more to hold myself accountable to my beliefs about social justice and equality. To do so requires committed, sustained reflection that includes action. I have been seeking out meaningful ways to contribute to and participate in anti-racism efforts in my community and will continue to do so. These are some of the books I'll be reading as I continue to listen and learn:

The Skin We're In by Desmond Cole
Policing Black Lives by Robyn Maynard
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi

I also found this thread on how to be an ally by Mireille Cassandra Harper informative and action-oriented.”

If you’d like to share your thoughts or any resources you've found helpful, I am eager to talk and would love to hear from you. You can leave a comment below or contact me by email anytime. I'll look forward to chatting with you.

10 Minutes to Highlight Your Day - Free printable journal page roundup

I’m all about the details lately — even on a journal page designed for hitting the highlights. With lots of practice, I’ve realized that the key to making the most of this page is to be specific. Add at least one detail in each of your highlights that expresses your singular experience of this day. Before you know it, you’ll have created a meaningful and unique record of an otherwise ordinary day.

If you’d like to highlight your day, you can download this page by clicking on the image above or by visiting my collection of 10 Minute 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

Love

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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New Mini Journal Adventure Coming Soon . . .

These three new journal pages are almost ready to go and I think I’ve created a fun way to post them: a mini journal adventure! It’s a combination of ideas really — a virtual scavenger hunt complete with hidden pages and secret passwords, a friendly way to follow through on your journaling, and an enthusiastic sounding board (that’s me!) for reflecting on your observations and making the most of your journaling.

If you’d like to dive deep into the details of your days in search of insight and inspiration, and receive a journal tip or two from me along the way, this is the adventure for you!

Look for more details in my newsletter on Friday. If you haven’t already subscribed and would like to, follow this link to sign up.

P.S. It’s all free! (The newsletter and the adventure!)