The Joy of Journaling

Happy New Year and happy new journals!

I know that I'm not the only one with a deep obsession with notebooks and journals. Many of you are, too. I welcome all kinds but these have been my favorite for the past few years: Moleskine, Shinola, and Leuchtturm (pronounced this way). They're a little pricier but it's a tiny luxury that I use daily and helps with my productivity as a Bullet Journal.

As you can see, I've amassed quite a number over the years:

Maybe you have notebooks, too, but are intimidated by the blank page.

Not too long ago, I joined the wise writer and artist Morgan Harper Nichols on Instagram Live where she talked about this very subject.

Morgan Haper Nichols says journals symbolize that we are present in the moment. She recommends that we set an intention when starting one (ex. fill the pages). She also says, "Remember that this is not a place for perfection but a place where I can be for the moment."

Here are her suggestions on how to fill the page:

Write down your observations (ex. I am wearing a sweater, I can hear the cars outside, I can smell my coffee).

Start a gratitude list.

Make a dream list. These are not goals (goals are for grown-ups). This list is for the 6 year old you (ex. build a lego castle, make up your own board game, try out 40 different kinds of chocolate) to keep childhood wonder alive.

Fill the page with doodles (ex. flowers, hearts, write in cursive or bubble letters). Break the rules and have fun in small ways. You don't always have to have the right words.

Here's another version of "doodling" this time using a bunch of rubber stamps and ink pads. My most cherished rubber stamps when I was a kid were these Little Twin Star stamps that I would decorate notebooks and stationery with:

via e-bay

Sigh. I wish I took better care of this. But my love for rubber stamps has not diminished. I still love collecting them for various craft projects like Bible journaling, block printing, and gift wrapping...TADA!  

I guarantee that filling a whole page is not only fun but also meditative.

Morgan Harper Nichols encourages us to journal to "Keep that sense of hope alive."

May you fill your notebooks with things that bring you joy -- today and when you look back years from now.

Thank you for stopping by and see you again next week!