Hello, my friends – I sincerely apologize for the extreme tardiness of this post. I had it 80 percent ready to publish on the morning of January 7th – and then the unthinkable happened! A winter virus came to visit starting with me and now my husband. It was a rough week, and I am sorry I did not get this published until today (Sunday, January 12!) I hope it will still be a blessing, and I will see you for our next prompt – sooner than soon can be- Wednesday!
Onward, to our next journaling “prompt”!
Are you a person who likes to plan? Are you one who chooses sides when the discussion turns to planning or journaling? I promise journaling and planning are a happy couple always ready for a honeymoon! Let’s look at the ways, but first I want to check in on how your first week went and share a bit about my own journaling this week and what I discovered.
Welcome to Week 2 of Journaling in January. If you missed Week 1- Head here to this post.
Last week I introduced the prompt Topics du Jour and I went ahead and made an updated list, as the last time I actually explored this prompt myself was in 2019 at the Journal to the Self Certification (if you are interested in learning more about my one week experience in Colorado, and/or more about that certification, let me know – maybe I could share in a future post).
Did you give the Topics du Jour prompt a try? Do you have any questions? Comment below if you have any questions.
Meanwhile, my suspicions that this prompt would be a wellspring of inspiration were confirmed. One week in and the only day that I felt a little less “prompted” was this morning(Tuesday 1/7). I have two options, write to the prompt later, or just let it go until next month. After that if I find it is not a useful prompt on my list of chosen topics, then I can remove it and add something else! I believe this prompt is valuable and it was a momentary thing. However, I share my thought process so that you may see both the value, freedom and flexibility with this method/prompt. I hope you give it a try and let me know how it is going for you. Each day I looked down at my list and wrote in response the date’s designated topic, and 6 out of 7 times I surprised myself with what came forth. I think the beauty is you are writing to topics of relevance to you, and you know yourself better than anyone so this is a wonderfully powerful tool and full of surprises along the way.
Let me know if you tried or will try this month!
Next, I would like to help you connect the dots with planning and journaling if you haven’t already merged the two. Although I believe they are a happy marriage, in my own experience, they enjoy their independence as well. Maybe interdependence is more accurate.
In my early years of work-life balance, I carried a spiral bound 3 or 5 subject notebook. In it, all my commitments and time specific appointments were listed. I also kept rather excessive notes of my diet and training at the time as in my late teens and twenties I competed in bodybuilding and briefly, in powerlifting. The following pages would have my rants, rambles and rhetoric on all the inner workings of my mind, emotional life etc. I blurted it all out on paper without consideration or fear. Why, I wonder? I know most people are afraid of boldly writing their thoughts out on paper. The risk of exposure, the fear of being held accountable to the truth – even though it may be a temporary perspective or momentary confession- or just their own view. Most fear the stark white paper looking back at them. But, for me, I felt freedom. I found my bravery and eventually my voice through the clarity gained by writing out the truths as I saw them– for better and worse, in my journals/planners.
As I began to have a more professional standard, I moved on to a standard, pre-printed planner. Because it felt like the expectation. The split was nothing less than a reality check and boundary enforcer. Work is work, life is life, and thoughts are thoughts. In retrospect it seems to me that there was almost a “breakup” of what was a happy marriage. I had a planner for my professional life- with its sturdy, formal, stark presence- appointments and work notes only, please. And the journal which was separate. Cast from its connection to the planner. As if the psyche was split into definite roles and places along with this change. I continued to keep exercise, diet and training notes together and the more introspective journaling. The psychological and the physical laid out in the same notebook nicely. Until that day, I took another step towards compartmentalization in my life. At some point- and I am not sure exactly when it happened but, it did happen. I decided that lugging my latest venting over life and rants about work life, relationships and deep thoughts should not join me any longer at the gym. I kept a training log for training, and a separate notebook for my journaling.
There you have it the beginnings of a hardcore office supply person in the making. It did not happen overnight. But over time it seemed natural to break up all the pieces. This in turn, eventually created within the desire for the return to using One Book only. Like a quest of sorts, however, there seems to be no return from where I have landed (along with many in the planner/journaling community). But wait- maybe there is?
I’d like to tell you that I only use one notebook- like back in the beginning when I was just starting out on my journey. But it’s not true. I use several notebooks and journals and for various things, BUT- regardless of what I use, journaling helps me simplify and clarify my plans.
Over the years I have found it helps me to sketch out my week in my journal (currently Moleskine Expanded), so I can have a bird’s eye view and remember specific things that I would otherwise surely forget. I tend to embellish more in my journal. I enjoy adding details that don’t need to be included in my planner. I stuff memorabilia within the pages. But this is the place I still put my heart on the page.
I carry a small monthly planner/calendar for appointments only (At -A-Glance) – the undistracting view keeps me from overcommitting – sometimes but not always. It fits in my purse alone, or in the cover of my journal/planner. A Daily B6 (Aura Estelle) planner takes care of my daily on the go notes, to do’s, expense record and appointments. These three Amigos seem to partner happily with me for this season of life.
Here are some ways I use journaling along side my planner to help me calrify and prioritize my plans.
Sketch out the week in advance. This can be in any way that makes sense to you. I have always used a vertical week view. I have scribbled out my week ahead whenever I have felt overwhelmed as it helps me gain perspective and plan or maintain margin in my schedule. Remember your journal is for your eyes only. There is zero pressure to impress. Your aim is to establish journaling habits or practices that serve you!
Add In Appointments/Commitments. I then take out my small monthly planner and check any dates that have a time commitment and add them. Once this is done, I can work with managing my time and preparing for any commitments, events, etc.
Reflect on Choices, Commitments and Obligations– As I plan, I also take time in my journal to write about the things that are pressing on my heart and for any obligations. Since journaling helps me focus well and clarify my thoughts, I take the time to filter, process and prioritize in this space. It’s the backstage area, after all, of the lived-out life! Though the plans themselves are center stage, the thought, prayers and intentions scribbled on the journal page help flesh out all the details taking place in real time. Like a written rehearsal. SOmehow this process leaves me feeling uncluttered mentally and ready to take on the world!
The Secret Sauce (one always must have a good sauce!) But the most important addition comes next. You have a list of things to do, yes? I mean the list beyond that list of dates, and times we just added to the weekly view. Our lists are scandalous in nature- we all have endless lists of dailies that never end! And thank God for them! Dirty dishes (full bellies), homes that need tidying (Thank you, Lord!) insurance, and taxes and bills, Oh My! But beyond these, there’s the put off thing you know you long to do or need to do or have been meaning to get to. Whatever THAT is? Determine what it is and determine yourself to add it to your schedule. Maybe it’s time to study God’s word, or to clean your home more thoroughly, or to reach out to a friend or neighbor. What is the one thing you have been putting off (not the ten)? It could be a self-care habit that you have been putting off, or a ministry opportunity. Add time for that. But it can’t be more than one (maybe two depending on the type). As time progresses this one step will produce a delightful harvest of blessings. We just need to add it in and be specific about the making it happen.
OK, so practical journaling challenge week 2: Create a Bird’s Eye view of your week and ADD the Secret Sauce in to that weekly plan. Add the day and time when you will plug in the THAT important but neglected thing only you know about to your week. Deal? Then journal your way through the week. I’ll see you here, next time!
Thanks for taking the time to read this post, please let me know if you find anything helpful in today’s journaling prompt! Let me know if you have any questions of if there is a journaling questioon you would like me to discuss!
Enthusiastically, Dawn
Be sure and check out my book Journaling for Discovery and Delight.
Enthusiastically, Dawn 