Journaling Isn't Complicated
but could you be doing it wrong?
A couple times a month, I send out an email with some reflection and there’s almost always, to be sure, some journaling something in it because, well, that’s kinda my thing. If you’re already subscribed to my regular ol’ email list and follow me here on Substack, this content is the same.
Also, if we’re new friends, there’s an invitation at the end of the post to join us for Saturday Pages, which is our couple-times-a-month guided journaling session on Google Meet (30 minutes). We’re a community of journalers from across the US and even sometimes across the ocean! What started as just me and friend on Zoom together 5 years ago has turned into about 15 of us regularly gathering through our screens to take pen to page together. I’m biased I know but really do think we’ve created something beautiful—and I think you’d really love it.
What I’m (re)Learning This Week
Journaling just doesn’t feel meaningful, like it’s actually helping or doing anything for me.
This is pushback I’ve gotten a couple of times recently. And my hunch is that if journaling isn’t working for you, it may have to do with safety, honesty, or privacy.
My definition of meaningful journaling is when it helps cultivate insight in the lives we’re leading.
In order to do that, we need to honor our felt need for privacy, perceive writing as an inherently safe practice, and be steadfast in our intent to journal with honesty.
For privacy, I use this small locker for journal storage.
To evoke a sense of safety, I light candles, play soothing music, and pray through my favorite writing prayer.
For honesty, one of my best tips is to start by writing continuously for 5 minutes, writing down whatever word, phrase, or idea comes to mind, without censoring it. Just write it down.
Maybe this weekend it’s time to finally do it. To set aside a few minutes to pause, reflect, and take pen to page. If you feel that nudge, would you join us for Saturday Pages? I’ll bring the prompt—you bring your journal—and we’ll spend a few beautiful moments tracing the lines of grace in our lives.
This Saturday, June 20th at 9 a.m. eastern on Google Meet. It’s always free, and always open to all but this is the last Saturday Pages until next month.
Click HERE to join.
What are your tried and true journaling tips? Would love for you to share in the comments!
