Beginners, start HERE

Journaling. For me, it was an always an, "I need to do that," kind of a thing. Then in 2022 I committed to a year of journaling. I kept it easy, anything counted. Writing out a quick affirmation. One sentence. Doing my very quick journaling app on my phone. I built up from there. Sometimes reading books that had prompts and ending the year with a 3 page a day commitment for 12 weeks. All of it was transformational. I found me. I questioned so much and in so many ways changed my life. Hence I'm creating this space to help you do the same and hoping you will find your own way and get closer to yourself. So here are my most basics of tips to start your journey. Use what resonates, modify where you feel so inclined, and let me know how it goes, for better or worse.

1. Meet yourself where you are. Do you love journals and pens? Purchase a journal you are excited to write in with an pen that writes like buttah. More of a technical person? Find an app that will meet your needs to get started, or create a document, and get it ready for free writing. This also brings me to

2. Decide how you'd like to start. What's doable for you? Set your self up for success here. So that can mean you already have established some journaling but just need consistency. Try writing half your norm, but set an alarm everyday to remind you to do it. Your could comment to a sentence. An affirmation. Again, it helps to find a time of day you can make it a habit, so set an alarm if needed. I do mine in the morning with coffee. If you go the digital way a lot of apps can set an alarm for you, and prompt you with quick responses.

3. It takes 28ish days to create a habit, so give it time, be nice to yourself. You are trying. Perfection is NEVER the goal. Never.

4. Don't give up. Evaluate and change things up. If it didn't work out well, try again a little differently. If it did, where can you add to it to make it more meaningful?

5. I will be honest, when I started free writing was not my thing. My brain would go blank, I'd stare at the page. I committed to those 3 pages so I would fill it with something like this. "Hmmmm what to write, what to write. Things I need to do today. Finish this, breakfasts, dressed, shower, workout, Rory mommy school. blah blah blahity blah. this is gonna take me forever. who's idea is this. ok lets see. mind, is this working for you, oh yea kinda in a weird monanatous way. Body, what do you need today, lay off the cookies, check, stretch. Spirit, your pretty happy ok cool. lord help this has been half a page....." I purposely didn't go back and spell check or punctuate because that is how I write my pages. Somedays it's still like that. Other days it gets deep. I work through things. I settle my mind. I understand myself better. So very long way of saying, if you feel stuck use journal prompts. You can find them everywhere (including here), but seriously just google or Pinterest search and you will find plenty of options, there are also plenty of books that guide you, and guided journals to purchase. If that works better for you, try that. I love both methods now. They both serve the purpose of connecting to yourself.

6. Do not censor your thoughts, that is the you we are trying to connect with. No sugar coating, tact, excuses, just let it out!

7. Trust the process. At first it all seems a little annoying and pointless, till it doesn't. Then you can't imagine life without the practice. Some of the cheapest therapy there is.

8. Have fun! If it isn't enjoyable, change it up but keep trying.

Ok, that's all I have for this for now, I'll edit if I think of anything else, but please let me know what you think, if you are going to start and how you are going to do so. I also love and appreciate hearing from you.