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

Throwing Out Journals

Since buying a new bookshelf we've been in a frenzy of rearranging and throwing things out around here*. First it was the study, where the old bookshelf went, and now other areas of the house are being hit. I suppose it's best to do this when you're in the mood and when other things are getting the big heave-ho, too. So, I decided to be brave and go through some of my journals stored above the shelving in my daughter's room. I didn't count them. That might happen yet, though, if I have to leave them stacked next to the rubbish bin until next collection day. The one thing I did do was take a photo to share with you, see below.



These are mostly morning pages and night journals. It felt good going through the massive pile and chucking them out. There's a nice big space left now for hubby to store some of his stuff. Have you kept or thrown out your morning pages or other journals? Was it a difficult decision or easily made? Have you never kept this many journals before in order to be able to come to this decision? Please share any journal throwing out sessions in the comments section below.

Heather
Photo is my own
*This is another entry from my old blog

Keeping a Night Journal

Yesterday* I mentioned how I was throwing out some morning pages and night journals. Just in case anyone wanted to know what exactly makes up a night journal, I thought I'd write an entry about the topic. I'm pretty sure I got the idea from another of Julia Cameron's books, but I can't recall which one now. The idea was to spend a short time, perhaps only writing one page, to recap the day. I tend to list achievements and any significant event. I also jot down ideas for visual journal pages, jewellery I'm designing or anything else creative. Often some of my best ideas occur to me right at that moment of settling down for the night. Sometimes I'm way too tired for writing anything much. Some entries end with the scrawl of my pen down the page.

I do enjoy writing before going to sleep, too. Something about that act helps me take those last thoughts for the day and put them somewhere away from my mind. It's also a signal to my partner that I am about to go to snuggle up for the night. Read into that whatever you like. It's also a good way for me to see that I have done something, no matter how small. As a busy wife and mother it can feel too much like you're busy but not really achieving anything. Listing what happened is one way to prove that untrue.

Anyway, I hope you find some use for a night journal. If you already keep one please leave a comment in the section below, or on any other journal writing related topic.

Heather
Photo used with permission from Morguefile by Kevin Rosseel, Washington, DC.
*I will find and post the entry about tossing my night journals this week some time.