The Morning Journal

lamp, candle, pen, paper

I am returning to the habit of writing first thing upon waking. In 2017 I discovered Proprioceptive Writing (PW), where you sit with a lit candle, a pen and blank sheet of paper (no lines or drawings), and some Baroque music playing softly in the background. This setting helps create a ritual while relaxing your…

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My Commonplace Book

spiral bound journal

For years I’ve kept a Commonplace Book, although I didn’t always call it that. A Commonplace Book is a collection of whatever you want to collect- notes, quotes, diary entries, scrapbook pages, ephemera, photos, snippets of stranger’s conversations – You get the idea. I began this book in March 2004 and I called it a…

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Finding Old Journals

I found a forgotten box of old journals and notebooks that have been languishing unremembered and unused in the back of my closet. Some of these journals were still new (unused) and some had writing in them. I especially like the Decomposition Notebook, ‘Deep Stretch’ with the scuba divers stretching in an assortment of positions.…

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Journal Winners

winner is announced

Fox Chapel Publishing giveaway has two winners! Congratulations to Linda Hutchinson and Kathy Delumpa Allegri! Please send me your mailing address to my email and I will get your selected journal off to you! Thanks to everyone who left comments and mailed in entries! Stay tuned for another giveaway soon!

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Journal Giveaway

ice skating journal, blank book

Fox Chapel Publishing has recently sent me some journals to review and give away. You can click on any of the four titles and it will take you to the page on the Fox Chapel website that includes a video and more info about each journal. My favorite is the Hello Angel Lined Journal. Isn’t…

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The Daily Greatness Journal Review

I had heard about the Daily Greatness Journal: A Practical Guide for Consciously Creating Your Days for a while, but couldn’t justify the cost of $49.95. Last November I decided to look at it as an investment in self-development and I made the purchase. There is a lot of reading at the beginning of the…

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My First Hobonichi Original

I love planners and every year I have more than I can possibly use, although I do try to use them all. I’ve decided to start reviewing them and sharing what I like, what works for me as well as what I’m not so fond of – plannerwise. This versatile day planner can be used…

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Dot Journaling – The Book

Dot Jurnaling book cover

When I first heard the term ‘dot journaling’, I wasn’t sure what that was. Then I was sent a free review copy of this book, Dot Journaling―A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together by Rachel Wilkerson Miller,  and the book…

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Grace of Gratitude Journal Winner is…

Christi S from Colorado is the winner of the Grace of Gratitude Journal by Deborah Perdue, with illustrations by Tara Thele. Congratulations, Christi!   Christine from New Shelves Distribution will mail your journal to you in the next week or so. Thanks to all who entered!

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Leather Journals

I saw these awesome handmade journals at a local home show in Minneapolis a couple weeks ago. Don’t you love how they’re displayed in old and worn crates? Handmade by Nicole Aufderhar, these journals come in a variety of sizes and colors. One of my favorites is the use of an old photograph to create…

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