Safe Haven

One of the things I've always appreciated about keeping a journal is the guarantee of a safe haven. So long as you are able to keep your writing completely private you can write anything you like there.

The need for privacy is important. Your private musings could be taken out of context by anyone else. The ability to write without someone censoring your writings means you can be boring, complain, moan, or write about your dreams. Your entries can also exciting, sexy, or complete fantasy.

So long as what you are writing serves a purpose. Does writing out your boring day give you a sense of achievement? Then it's been good for something. Did writing your fantasy help release stress or help you let go of an unreal expectation? Likewise, the act of writing these in your journal worked for you.

You may even need to leave your own inner censor out of the picture while you write in your journal. It's okay to not make sense, to repeat words or sentences and break other rules of grammar.

Your journal should be a place you are free to experiment, play, relax and learn. Your journal should be a guaranteed safe have.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

What Are You Waiting For?

Although I've been busy for the last few days I have been aware that I am waiting. Waiting for my mother to arrive tonight, waiting for hubby to return from his trip, waiting for the mail, waiting for the dinner to cook, waiting for..?

There's always the things we're waiting for that we hardly acknowledge, too. Like waiting to gain wisdom or skill, waiting for someone to change, waiting to be appreciated, waiting for..?

Spend some time writing in your journal about all the things you are waiting for. Dig into the idea and list the things you rarely admit to waiting for. Describe what it feels like to wait for these things. Write about what you do while you wait for these things to eventuate.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Mr-Big on stock.xchng

Crazy Days

I've been having one of those crazy days when everything just goes wild. I couldn't have predicted it to be this way even if I'd wanted to. So many phone calls, waiting in lines, horrible mail... I did escape with the little guy to the park for a while after it all, though. And just as we left it rained.

I was able to gain a bit of sanity amidst all the madness by writing in my journal, soaking up the sunshine and watching the little guy play. It's amazing how much better I felt afterwards.

What about you? Do you cope with crazy days by writing in your journal? Or does that activity get pushed aside simply because it's so mad for you? Write about crazy days in your journal. Locate an answer to what makes you feel safe and saner on those days. Develop a plan so you won't let those kinds of days overwhelm you.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Extreme Journalism

I stumbled across Extreme Visual Journals, a technique developed by Juliana Coles, today while searching about on google. Read a description of exactly what an extreme visual journal is by Coles & her team. You can't miss the packing instructions for what to bring with you so you can be an extreme visual journaler and their manifesto. This just might be exactly what you're looking for with your own personal journal writing journey.

Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Handling Solitude

This morning, at a most ungodly hour, I dropped off my hubby and his sister at the Perth International airport. They're winging their way off to Cambodia for just short of two weeks. This leaves me with much more time alone they I usually have. For me this idea is bliss. I spend so much time doing things for and with others that moments of solitude are sweetly savoured. But I know not everyone feels this way about solitude.

How do you handle solitude? Is it something you enjoy or endure? Do you make plans to do projects to keep yourself busy through these times or do you revel in not having to do anything? Write about solitude in your journal. Discover what it means to you. Is it a tonic or a toxic experience? Has this changed at different times of your life? Create a visual journal page about this topic. Remind yourself to do the same exercise in say five or ten years, to see how your thoughts on solitude have altered in that time.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Ivan Vicencio from stock.xchng

Artsy Bloggers Round-up #7

Here are some more artsy links to keep you creating this week:

Digital effects techniques from Mixed Media Artist.

How to Make Quilted Coasters to Match your Decor from The Artful Crafter.

And I've shared the 1001 Journals Call for Submissions.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Pixel Perfect Digital

Freaky Friday #10

It's Friday and that means it's Freaky Friday. Please read Freaky Friday #1 to learn more about this journal writing challenge.

Today I want to challenge you to think about your ego. I heard the news*, or perhaps rumour, that Oprah and David Letterman were interested in interviewing the rescued miners from Beaconsfield, Tasmania. It made me think how it would feel to be in that place; the one being interviewed on TV.

Today write as if you have done some noteworthy activity and you are on either the Late Show or Oprah. You may decide to be a known author, movie star/director or singer/performer for this journal writing exercise, but perhaps you'd prefer to be yourself for this one. The only difference is that you have achieved your dream, whatever that might be. You are there in the spotlight answering questions. What do you discuss? How does this make you feel? Go into detail. Describe everything. It matters little if you don't know what it's really like. Use your imagination. Have fun with this one.

Heather
*This is an older entry from my other blog
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Just Before Bedtime

I don't know about you, but I pretty well know my nightly routine back the front. It's not something I really think about. I have a routine I could walk through in my sleep. Actually, it wouldn't surprise me if I was asleep some of the time. And if I leave anything out I can't seem to settle until I go do that omitted action.

How about you? In your journal describe or list your bedtime routine. Describe why you do each of these things. Some will be obvious, but not all. Explain yourself as if describing to a stranger why this action is important to you. Do you have a regular routine? Why not? Write about your ideal nightly routine, especially if you don't really like your routine now.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

1001 Journals Call for Submissions

Have you created something really cool in your journal lately? Have you a great journal story to share? 1001 Journals is putting out a call for submissions. For more details check out their web site. The deadline is 9th June.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Daniel Jaeger Vendruscolo at stock.xchng

Little Surprises

One of the best things about rereading my old journals is when I stumble on little surprises in my writing. Sometimes the surprise is in something I noticed, something I thought about and had forgotten, or simply an idea I see I need to explore. I will often list these little gifts in my current journal for times when I'm feeling less than inspired about writing in my journal. These are often starters for some in depth journal writing.

Even if you haven't been keeping a journal for a long time go back and read some of your older entries. What things did you leave open or unexplored? Find something from an old entry to write about intensely. Investigate what you really felt about that matter.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

The Power of Words

Years ago I recall hearing how speaking positive words to plants encouraged them to grow. Also, that negative words spoken would discourage growth and cause the plants to shrivel and die. In an article that was passed onto me recently about hidden messages in water, the same is apparently true for ice crystals forming in water.

Using high speed photography to capture the images in ice Dr. Masaru Emoto discovered how music, spoken words and finally even written words, in any language, attached to the bottles held power over what kind of images formed in the crystals.

There really does appear to be power in words, more than we are fully aware. I know I will be working on speaking and writing more positive words than negative after reading this information. I hope the article encourages you to select your words from now on, too.

Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Image used with permission from stock.xchng

Artsy Bloggers Round-up #6

Here are some more artsy links for you to help you create something this week:

A glowing blurred border in Photoshop from Blisstree.

How to Make a Ribbon Organizer and Dispenser from The Artful Crafter.

And I've shared the Daydreaming Good for You entry.

I hope you enjoy these artsy links.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Pixel Perfect Digital

Freaky Friday #9

Today is Friday which means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1. I thought of this journal writing challenge for today* when I heard the news that one of Australia's leading climbers, Lincoln Hall, had died on Everest and felt a pang of sorrow for his family. Just how would you feel to hear your loved one had died on Mt Everest, of all places? That treacherous mountain many have died trying to conquer. How tragic; to lose a loved one doing the one thing they were driven to achieve. My interest sparked, though, this afternoon when I heard that he was supposedly alive.

Write in your journal as if someone you have loved and is no longer living is somehow now alive. What would you tell them? Would you treat them differently? Write it all down in your journal. There are no rules to this challenge. This is a chance to take a different perspective on your life.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing challenge. Please leave any photos in the comment section.

Heather
*This is an old entry from my previous blog
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Daydreaming Good for You

I read with interest the study on daydreaming and how they now believe it's good for you. If only someone had told our teachers. This was one thing I was often told off for when I was in school. All that woolgathering really is a useful activity. Actually, I've been using this technique for several years, especially when it comes to creativity.

Were you accused of being a daydreamer when you were a kid? Do people still level this one at you? Spend some time writing about daydreaming in your journal. How often do you daydream? What good things usually come out of a daydreaming session? Dare to create a visual page about daydreaming in your journal.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from SsJ Toma on stock.xchng

Sustaining Your Spirituality

When it comes to sustaining your spirituality what helps you? Journal writing, bible reading, meditation..? Spend some time writing in your journal about your spirituality. Are you a spiritual person? Define spiritual. Use the language of spirituality to express some of the things you may keep deep inside. Use your journal to explore these feelings and thoughts.

This is what a journal is made for. No one will read it, so write without censoring. Do you find yourself asking lots of questions? Take each one of these and attempt to answer them. Think and probe into what it is you really believe in. You may like to create a visual page for your journal if you feel words are not enough to express what is happening inside.

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Challenging Anger Issues

I'm not sure about you, but sometimes I get angry about something, but I'm not really sure why I'm angry in the first place. Often, if I get time to sit and write in my journal, I can identify what made me angry, in reality. Most of the time it surprises me by not being what I thought it was about. How often does this happen to you?

Take your most recent angry outburst or moment and spend time writing about it in your journal. Identify what made you react in the first place. Locate the moment you decided it made you feel angry. This is the important part. Most often we respond through white hot emotion instead of what is actually happening. Break it down into dialogue or scenes, depending on what transpired, and work through it in logical steps.

You will be surprised to learn something about the way you think, especially when under pressure or feeling deeply emotional. I have found this invaluable when having arguments with hubby. I can argue in a more constructive manner. And I discovered this through journal writing. I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchang

Mother's Day from Over Here

Yesterday was Mother's Day. I just thought I'd share a little about how my day went. I was blessed with lots of chocolate, mostly dark chocolate, my favourite, and a lovely pen & notebook from the little guy. My daughter made a gorgeous card from photos she's taken over the last few years. My big son gave me something he made a while ago that is actually quite precious to him; a woodwork clock in the shape of a Nike tick. It's decorated with wood burning and I have always loved it. Cool gifts, hey? Here's a photo of the inside of the card my daughter made.

So, what did you get for Mother's Day?

Heather
Photo is my own

Artsy Bloggers Round-up #6

Here are some more artsy links to keep you creative this week:

Collage and quilt techniques from Blisstree.

Heritage Photos – Learn Something New Every Day from The Artful Crafter.

Upcycle a used shirt with crocheted flowers from Blisstree.

And I shared the Freo Buskers entry.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Pixel Perfect Digital

Freaky Friday #8

Today is Friday and that means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

This week I'm challenging you to write as if you could grant wishes and bestow money on others in the manner of Oprah. The TV hostess is famous for her benevolence. For this Freaky Friday you are Oprah, or someone very like her, and you grant the wishes of any or all of your friends and family. Who would you give money to? Who would you leave off your list? Make a list, include your true self (remember you are Oprah today) of those you would bless and what you would give. Write how this would alter their lives. Would this be for better or would the gift change their lives drastically? How does being able to give make you feel?

I hope you enjoy this journal writing challeng. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Bad Habits

Every one of us has a bad habit, or two, that we are aware of. Most of the time we don't like to admit to these bad habits, but when we're honest we know about them and usually loathe them. Spend some time writing in your journal about these bad habits, but give them to someone else; either a fictional character or someone you know. This is your journal, but it would be a good idea if the real person never had any idea you had done this journal writing prompt with them in mind.

Play up the bad habit/s for this person. Take the badness to the extreme. Write out everything you really dislike about the habit and come to some kind of a resolution, a conclusion over what the character should do to break the habit. I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt and find some kind of personal release in writing about these habits.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

I'm not sure if Mother's Day is celebrated on the same day all the world over, but in Australia this Sunday coming is Mother's Day. I hope you've already thought of your gift for mum, but in case you haven't perhaps a gorgeous journal would be a great idea. There are some really sweet covers on journals these days. Just look in your local book store, newsagents or other gift stores. If you want to make a really personalised gift why not cover an ordinary looking journal with some pretty paper. You could print the paper yourself, too. Or better yet, make the entire journal yourself. This way you can create exactly what it is you know your mum will love.

Here are a few links to tutorials to get you started. Please add any you know to the comments section so I can add them to this list.

Anyone Can Make One of These Journals
How to Create an Envelope Journal
Handmade Journal Covers
Making Your Own Mini Journals
How to Make Your Own Journal

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Free Journal Course from Intrinsic

I receive the excellent monthly newsletter from Intrinsic. They always have really cool downloads for your computer and your journal each month. This time there's also a course for the month. There's a page of journal prompts/questions to help you. Since it won't cost anything but a little of your time you may as well check it out. Everything is there for week one, so go ahead and join in. You never know what you might discover about yourself.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Beatrix Potter

Today* I discovered that Beatrix Potter kept a coded journal from around the age of 14 or 15 until she was 30. The author known for her Tales of Peter Rabbit series was a very interesting woman. In fact it took an engineer named Leslie Linder seven years to decipher her personal journal, which was later published as The journal of Beatrix Potter from 1881 to 1897. He had to crack her code first, though. Her code was also the subject of a book written by M. Daphne Kutzer; Beatrix Potter: Writing in Code.

After doing some research online I found you can read her Peter Rabbit titles here, without the beautiful illustrations, for you to read for free. The website also includes a built-in dictionary that allows you to look up any word in the text. If you can't get hold of her published journal you can read either of these scant excerpts.

Heather
*Another entry from my previous blog
Image used with permission from Children's Library

Memories & Place

On Friday I took a little walk along my local beach. I collected shells for a pendant I planned to make later that evening. While I walked & collected I felt the sun warming me and breathed in the briny air. I listened to the gulls squawk and the waves tumble onto the shore. I couldn't have felt more at home. I grew up going to the beach almost every day. The memories come back to me with the scent of salty breeze or the way someone mentions the curl of the waves.

What place brings back memories for you the strongest? Do you find yourself drawn to this place or some place similar when you have something on your mind? Write about the memories evoked in your journal. Investigate what draws you to this place. Find a connection in your memory to the place. Does being there soothe you? Are all the memories happy ones, or are some sad?

I hope you enjoy this journal writing prompt. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Freaky Friday #7

Today is Friday and that means it's Freaky Friday. If you need to know more about this journal writing challenge please read Freaky Friday #1.

With Mother's Day coming very soon I'm going to challenge you to make a journal entry as if you were your mother. Now, I understand for some of you, this might be tough. I encourage you to at least try this journal writing exercise. If you simply feel too much hostility or other extreme reaction towards your mother, then please, choose someone else. Select a mother you have known, or at least seen, and write as if you are that woman.

Write about how you view the special day and what it means to you. Write about what you'd really love to receive from your child/children. It doesn't matter if you never even knew your mother. Imagine that you are her and write from her point of view the events that led to that situation.

As always the point of this exercise is to help you see another person's perspective. To help you gain greater understanding and empathy for others. I hope you enjoy this journal writing challenge. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng