Journal Guide

a sunlit place in your heart and home 

 

Journaling does more than just help you record your memories or find self-expression. It can improve your mood and give you a greater sense of overall emotional well-being 

 

My Dad has always been extremely creative & he has always encouraged me to colour, draw, write, create.

As a child he use to make me my own handmade birthday cards every year, and hand-drawn colouring-in books ~ I would honestly spend hours buried in paints, crayons and pencils.

He bought me my very first journal when I was 8 years old and we went on a family holiday to Perth, Western Australia. I have such fond memories wring my little heart out every night before bed. He would ask me questions and give me subtle prompts, which helped me capture all of our adventures each day. I still have that journal now... a beautiful snapshot of my childhood.

Throughout my entire life I have kept a journal.. these notebooks have helped me express my feelings during school, university, friendships, travel, loss, grief, heartbreak, achievements, milestones, love, marriage, pregnancy & birth - encouraging personal reflection and future aspirations... 

❖

So naturally, my collection had to have journals!

There are two different journal prompts available as part of this collection. These have been thoughtfully designed for mamas, young adults & little ones.

 

 

yin & yang keepsake journal

 

Yin ~ imaginative, relaxed, quite, passive, sensitive, introverted, moon, earth, water ❖

Yang ~ confident, adventurous, loud., active, outgoing, enthusiastic, sun, wind, fire ❖

In life, our children will experience many great achievements as well as individual challenges. During these times it's important that they feel heard and understood. As parents, we are able to provide guidance by listening, being empathetic and offering support. 
  

By balancing the strength of Yang and the sensitivity of Yin, we can create a nurturing environment of give and take. 

  
The purpose of the Yin & Yang keepsake journal is to create a meaningful connection with our ever-changing children. Hand written notes within this journal are a non-confrontational way to encourage open and honest communication. 

Here are several suggestions for using your Yin & Yang keepsake journal:
 

• Exchanging journal entries back and forth with your child is a great way to reflect, build self-worth and boost confidence.
• It allows your child to offload their thoughts, write notes or simply draw... These personal entries may include daily events, funny stories, accomplishments, tough situations, concerns/fears or tricky questions.
• Once you have completed your journal entry, it can be left under your child's pillow for them to reply in their own time. There is no timeframe allocated to this process - remember, all good things take time

 
By sharing your thoughts in a safe place, your are creating a positive bond that strengthens your relationship.

Journaling can help in the management of personal adversity and change, and emphasise important patterns and growth in life.  

future self journaling

Future Self journaling creates conscious awareness of our behaviours and patterns.
 
By being aware of our own thoughts, we can start to understand & manage them. This type of journal invites you to learn what is most sacred to you, and shape your own future.

Identifying with your own 'inner child' is a great place to start - this is the process of reconnecting with your younger self. It allows you to focus on your unique childhood experiences, reactions, and perceptions. This helps you to identify your passions, fears, behaviours, and ultimately connect with your future self.
 
This process helps us to understand our goals in life, our desires & our purpose. We are then able to identify areas of our lives that we would like to change.
There’s no wrong way to keep a Future Self journal, but here are some suggestions to get you started:
Identify an area or behaviour in your life that you would like to change.

• Describe ways in which you could achieve this & how you could incorporate these changes into your everyday life.
• How will this element be resolved in the future? What does it reveal about your values & priorities? What are your subconscious habits or triggers?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• Write regularly. Whether you write daily or once a week, commit to a consistent time to journal, and honour that commitment.
• Once your desired behaviour or goal is achieved, start working on a new one.

Dr Nicole LePera - The Holistic Psychologist is a wealth of knowledge and brings a deep insight into the world of future-self journaling, and identifying with your inner child. I highly recommend checking out her page, you will be amazed by her perspective, and the connections made between mind and body.

Happy journaling!