Should I start a new journal??

A common question at this time of year is..."Should I start a new journal for the New Year?"
What if my previous journal isn't full? Is it OK to leave blank pages...

Of course, this is something you have to decide for yourself! But here are my thoughts. Make a Pros and a Cons list...

FOR a New Journal
1. A new journal gives you a fresh new start
2. It will be fun shopping for something new
3. The pages will be white and clean and crisp and never before written upon - just like my New Year will be.
4. I'd like to turn over a new leaf and this will enable me to start something new - leaving the Old behind
5. New goals - new year!
6. I'd like to switch to a new system

Use up the Old
1. Filling the pages of your previous journal will give you a sense of accomplishment
2. Using up the old will be less expensive - I'm frugal like that!
3. There are a LOT of pages still left unwritten
.
4. I like my present journaling book
5. I can make it fresh by changing pens, using colour, adding to my style of journaling.

Whichever way you decide, you can make some changes!

In your old journal, draw a title page for your new year using coloured markers. Or print out some photos, make a card stock insert (coloured) to mark the new section in your book. Add stick on tabs to mark the beginning of 2017 in a way that stands out.

Changing to a new system
I presently write in some nice bound journals but I might like to change to an Arc binder system or three ringed binder system so I can add things or change my pages around at will.

Whichever way you decide, you can make some changes that will bring back fresh motivation, energy and joy to your journaling time.

Keep writing
Debbie

Goal Setting in your Journal

Every year at this time, I spend my down week between Christmas and New Year's using my journal to review my past year and set new goals for the upcoming year. This year is no exception!

Here are a couple of the tools I use to do my reviews and to set my sails for the New Year. I don't make resolutions... I set Goals. Then I make action plans to work towards them bit by bit through my year.

One of the best tools I have found for my business goals is Lisa Jacob's Your Best Year Ever 2017 workbook.

http://www.marketyourcreativity.com/2016/09/best-year-2017-expect/

I love the no-nonsense planning advice Lisa gives. She helps you focus first on your sucesses and roadblocks from the past year. There is room to analyse what went well, to look hard at your roadblocks and how they happened and then to make plans for the upcoming year. Knowing why things happened the way they did helps you try to avoid making the same mistakes in your planning the next year. I've found it very helpful to follow her blog through the end of the old year and into the new. She is really transparent about her own goal setting and weaknesses which I find strangely comforting - like I'm not the only one who struggles with procrastination and biting off more than I could possibly chew.

have a look, follow her blog and you will get a good idea if this tool is for you.

One of the best tools for my personal life - setting reasonable goals is Lara Casey's Power Sheets. Again, Lara is the most transparent as she writes and shows examples of her own personal goals for the upcoming year. She has coined the term Progress not Perfection as she thinks through all the areas of her life weekly to decide what needs Tending to each week. Progress is made in small achievable weekly steps that bring you closer to living an Intentional life that meshes with your unique life goals. I think what I enjoyed best was the extra help that you get from her blog posts and giveaway freebies during the year. They help keep you on track as you think your way through your year. I add these to my journaling all the time! Lots of questions to think through to figure out what you really desire to see happening in your life.
Check out Powersheets  http://laracasey.com/  #2017Powersheets

Happy Planning!

Facebook groups for Journaling tips

It's so busy at Christmas time, but try to sneak in some time to write in your journal! After evening chores are done or the kids are in bed, curl up on the couch with a hot chocolate and if you have a fireplace get it going!

I inherited an extra FB group this week. So there are two you can choose from if you want to connect. Journal Keeper (I had this before) will be changing somewhat in the New Year. It will be more of a secular group for connecting about Journal Keeping
The new group is called Christian Journal Keepers.
You can get prompts, tips, talk about how other people journal and keep motivated. It will definitely be a source of inspiration for anyone who loves to keep track of their days by writing, or art journaling, or list keeping :-)

I want to build a community where you can share with each other - with people who love to write and who love to chat about notebooks, pens, memories, planning, stories of their life etc.  Come join us!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/JournalKeepers/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChristianJournalKeepers/

35 years! Unbelievable!

Today is my oldest son's 35th birthday. It seems like yesterday that I was holding my first baby in my arms. I was amazed to see his little perfect fingers, his fuzzy hair and his button nose and little bitty toes. Both Paul and I spent hours just holding him and looking at him - watching him grow and learn all the things babies do.

It seems impossible to me that his childhood is behind him, he has babies of his own now and he is spending lots of time holding them and watching them grow. Life has a way of flowing swiftly by us when we weren't paying attention doesn't it?

That's why a journal comes in so handy. I certainly can't remember all the details surrounding his birth and growing up years until I read back in my journal. Then those early sweet mommy memories come flooding back and for a few minutes I'm transported back any number of years to recall the amazement, the wonder, the pride and joy my first baby boy brought with him.

I hope you will be challenged to record today what you wish to recall in 35 years. Make enough time to recall all the details you will want to remember years from now. Don't skip a thing...you think you will remember but I can tell you that you will forget most of it - unless you write it down. Some of the details would have been forever erased in my memory if I hadn't written them down in my journal years ago!

I plan to go into the photo albums and digitize his baby photos with the new photo app I got recently. And I will send him those amazing photos that will show him a bit of the wonder...And maybe send him a copy of some of the things I wrote way back then.

I can write more things now that I remember after I look at the photos - since I really didn't write much that day...but I still do remember some precious moments that I didn't capture in writing. It's never too late.

What are you remembering today - or this past week?
Catch those memories before they float away!
Happy writing

Deb E