With anything, comes learning and growth. After I published the journals many people were asking for journal prompts.
So starting next month all journals will come with an introduction and journal prompts.
If you already purchased a journal here is what will be in the next edition. I am sure along this journey I will change, learn, grow and make mistakes so every time there is a new edition I will update it through a blog.
Introduction
Ever since I was little I watched my Mom journal, it was just what she did, so in turn it was what I did. She was always practicing power of visualization and positive thinking. My Mom was incredibly inspiring in that way, and like any little girl (whether I knew it or not) I wanted to be just like her.
There my journaling habits began. Silly embarrassing entries to start, reading back on them gives me those awkward feelings all over again. "Today on the playground, or this boy that boy" type entries.
As I got older I started to journal through tough times, really tapping into my subconscious. It became such a powerful tool for me and I use it everyday. My mind can be a very chaotic place so organizing my thoughts first thing in the morning is a life line.
When my Mom learned that she was sick again, knowing that this was THAT diagnosis she began writing in journals for my Dad, brother and I. We didn't know it at the time. I found my Mom's journals 2 days after she passed in her bedside drawer.
I wish I could say that the entries were beautiful but all she could muster up the strength for was one sentence in mine and it was total chicken scratch. It didn't matter I was just so happy to have some of her "voice" after I could no longer hear it. Out of reaction I just started writing back to her in this journal. I made it this sacred space to talk to her.
Every time I had the urge to pick up the phone to call her, had a question, or was upset with her I would write there. It is hard for many of us to mention the feelings of hurt after someone passes, or the anger that accompanies grief but it is the truth. The whole journal isn't a big love letter it is raw and real, but damn does it help. I hope that this journal can provide just one of many tools to help through your grief.
Journal Prompts to get you going:
I feel as though it is very important to preface this with there is no right way to use this journal. Just like there is no right way to grieve, this is a messy difficult time and you use this tool in anyway that speaks to you.
Everything I mention below is simply a suggestion to get you started. Make this journal your own, fill in the blank line with your loved ones name, add a picture. Whatever you damn please.
There is only one thing I strongly encourage when using this journal. Please make it a judgement free zone, don't over think your thoughts as they come out on the page. Some may shock you and make you feel "bad" for thinking them. I am not a grief professional but there is one thing I have learned from having many vulnerable conversations during grief and that is emotions are strange and things come up that may surprise us. Please don't judge yourself on these pages.
Some suggestions on entries, I encourage you to date the pages so you can look back and address the person with Dear , it help feel a sense of connection.
Remember when…
My favorite memory with you…
I don't want to forget...
I miss the way you…
I miss …. about you…
I wish you were at…
Today was really hard because...
Today made me think of you when..
I found joy in…
If I had to describe you in one sentence...
A song that makes me think of you is…
Thank you for…
I really hate when people say…
You would laugh if you saw…
I need your guidance about…
I’m sorry about...
I forgive you for…
Things left unsaid...
Update them on your life.
Talk openly about how you are doing.
Ask questions, loss is complicated and there are things we want to know.
I love you.
Hi.
Some days you won't need to start off with a prompt, some days you will just write for the sake of writing. There are some days where I just grab the journal and write "Hey Mom" and leave it at that.
