journaling slumps

Even the most dedicated of all journalers will nod their heads in agreement when you mention that that, every once in a while, journaling just loses it's wonder. It's true. It happens, and it isn't necessarily bad.

How to keep journaling fun 

Don't treat it as a chore or an obligation.

When you feel like you've committed a heinous crime when you skip a day, or guilty when you only write a paragraph or two, your journal will be a source of frustration to you. It's okay if you skip a few days (or even weeks, for that matter). And it's okay if you don't feel like writing much. Journaling should be done because you want to, not because you feel like you must.

If you're having a hard time digging journaling, associate journaling with something pleasant.

I have heard several journalers recommend journaling rituals--such as brewing a cup of tea or some such comforting drink, putting on some inspiring music, or lighting a candle. I have never done this, mainly because I have to write for the sake of it, and because I write when I feel that "urge" inside--which might be as soon as I wake up one day, and the next it might be in the car on the way to the store.

Go back and read some old entries.

It doesn't matter if it's in your present journal--just a few weeks back--or a journal from years ago, old entries will be sure to spark some sort of inspiration in your veins.  I often feel inspired by what I was going through at the time (what was important to me several years ago, or what was constantly on my mind) or the style I wrote in from year to year. Sometimes I like my old style of writing (because my present voice has evolved over several years). But anyway, reading old entries is a great way to get ideas of what to write about. If all else fails, copy an old entry into you present journal and edit it. Can you make it sound any better?

Take a break.
Yep, just take a break from it. The world won't end even if you skip a month of writing. Come back to the page when you're inspired again. You invariably will be.

Does journaling ever get old for you?

recent journal: april

Some pictures of my April journal. 

Perhaps you can gain some ideas for your own journal.

 

how to: using journaling cards in your journal

Journaling cards are fantastic little inspirations that are perfect for adding some interest and color to your journal. Today I'm going to share some ideas on how to use journaling cards in your journal.

 

 We R Memory Keepers make some great journaling cards available at Target and Amazon. The ones at Amazon are a seriously awesome deal--$9.99 for 275 cards of different sizes and patterns!

 A black and white chevron journaling card anchored with some fall washi tapes makes a nice autumn-looking decoration.

 Since journaling cards were originally made for "albums made easy", they are printed with pretty designs on both sides. How do we remedy this? Attach the card with some washi tape so it can be flipped over. Then both sides can be used. 

 The flip side.

 Calendar journaling cards make good NaNoWriMo countdowns.

 I very much love the chalkboard ones.

 Journaling cards are so pretty and have such lovely messages on them, too.

 I didn't care much for the design on the flipside of this extra-large journaling card, so I just glued it in as a "wallpaper" of sorts.

 This is another example of using the journaling cards with washi tape hinges.

So there you have it--journaling with journaling cards!