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