What You Need

In our worlds of absolute affluence, even in an economic downturn, it's easy to confuse what we need with what we want. While not every part of the world understands what this means, simply because their lives are centred on what they need, it's certainly healthy every now and then to refresh our minds on what it is we really need as opposed to what we want.

In your journal write a list of ten things you want, right now. These could be as simple a glass of water or a cup of coffee. Keep it to ten and just think about this moment. Write another list of ten things you need. By need, I mean, you do need them. A pair of new shoes because there are holes in your current pair. Enough money to buy groceries until your next pay day. That kind of thing.

Once you have your lists, distill them down to only five essentials. Investigate the wants and see how many of them can be eliminated altogether. Can you come up with a list of five things you need? Write about these needs. How pressing is this need? Decide what must be done about these needs and write about it 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 stock.xchng

Defining Your Search

Sometimes you can lose your way while keeping a journal. I began keeping a journal to improve my writing skills, but soon realised there was a lot more to gain from penning those words across the page each day. But really, almost anything is possible. It depends what you want to gain out of your journal. At the beginning of every journal I usually write a statement of intent, what I plan to write about in this particular journal. Sometimes this helps on days when I feel less than inspired. I will reread this statement and get to writing about whatever I have declared there.

Just like using a search engine online, it helps if you define your search. If you're looking for pens you know you'll be there a long, long time if you simply write the word pen in the space and hit search. To make your search more fruitful you will write much more about the type of pen you want. For example, ball point or nib, the colour of the barrel, the type of ink, etc. In the same way you may want to define what it is you hope to gain from writing in your journal as a way to begin.

It's ok if your intent changes and adapts over time. This is one of the best reasons to keep a journal, simply because the things you wish to discover or learn are forever changing. Keeping a journal reflects the constant ebb and flow of your ideas, moods, life experience and reflections.

If you've never written a statement of intent at the beginning of a journal perhaps try it out to see if you gain anything from the idea. I hope you enjoyed this blog entry. Please leave any comments in the section below.

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Freaky Friday #16

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.

Think about a time you've received less than great service for something. You made a purchase for goods or services and you were treated poorly, in your view, by the staff or contractor. I know just about every one of us has some story about slack customer service, so this shouldn't be too difficult.

Once you have your moment think about the person who failed to deliver adequate service. Try to think of a reason they failed to do so. Today, I want you to slip inside their shoes and write a journal entry from their perspective of the transaction. This is a great opportunity to tune into what makes other people tick, but also to see yourself in a new light. Try to avoid being too nice about yourself. This is their view, their story, and you may look bad to them.

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

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng

Getting Things Done

I don't know about you, but one of the main reasons I don't get into as much visual art journalling as I'd like to is because I'm hardly ever alone. It's not that I really care what my partner will say about it, I suppose it's just the fact that I would have to say something at all. I'd like to just get on with creating something without the necessary descriptions and explanations that go along with doing anything at home. He's not a busy body and certainly wouldn't prevent me from doing so, but I just don't want someone around when I'm creating. It's not really that personal, I'd just rather make and do in solace.

I've tried to do this in public places like coffee shops, but apart from having to carry a lot of gear with me, I think I feel a bit the same. I'd rather make art when no one is looking. It's most likely a silly notion, but I'm holding out over this one thing.

Write in your journal about the things preventing you from getting into more visual expression 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 stock.xchng

Accomplishments

While I haven't been writing this blog I have been thinking and writing in my journal. I've arrived at one of those places where I need to make some choices and yet I stall and don't really know what it is I want to accomplish. So, I go looking and thinking and come back to the fact that I want to write. I have always known this. Roadblocks forever stall me, though I've made several good starts over the years. Having a little boy at 39 did kind of curtail anything too ambitious, though I could've gotten around that, I suppose, but just never have so far.

That same little boy will be attending full time pre-school next year. My mind is turning to ways I can use this time best. So, even though the beginning of February seems a long way off, I am starting to plan and arrange things so my dreams might actually be accomplished. It's been a good feeling. Thankfully, hubby is joining me on getting our lives into gear.

It might be difficult to believe, but I have five novels tucked away here somewhere. I want to get them out of hibernation and into publication. There's a long road from here to there, though. I'm being realistic, but I don't want to forget about the little things that matter to me, too. I will still add here, but perhaps not each day as I had been.

But, to get your pen going, or whatever you feel like using, write in your journal about all you accomplished in the past year. Is this anywhere near your dreams? Why or why not? Investigate your reasons for not reaching for what it is you want to achieve. Make plans or steps you can accomplish from today to get somewhere near reaching these dreams or goals. Have fun.

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

Heather
Photo used with permission from stock.xchng