Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I’m honored that Tammy Staley, Midlife Milestones, nominated Renew Inspiration for The Blogger Recognition Award! Tammy, I want to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart. This nomination really means a lot to me and put a SMILE on my face this morning when I read your blog comment. The award is a way that we recognize and support each other as bloggers, and especially to show that we appreciate how much work, energy and effort goes into maintaining a high-quality blog. It’s very time consuming, but the love we receive from our readers as well as from other bloggers is amazing!
When nominated for this award, there are rules to follow to accept the award and keep the circle going:
• Thank the blogger that nominated you.
• Write a blog post to show your award.
• Give a brief story of how your blog started.
• Give two pieces of advice to new bloggers.
• Select 15 other bloggers you want to give this award to.
• Comment on each blog and let them know you have nominated them and provide the link to the post you created.
How Renew Inspiration Started
Renew Inspiration was created with you in mind. I wanted to create a safe place where people could come to renew their inspiration whole heartedly by reading encouraging blogs, seeing positive quotes to uplift one’s mood, and to learn various ways to improve one’s health and well-being. I stepped out on faith to pursue a blogging career in January 2018. I have always enjoyed writing in my journal, but when my mother passed away in December 2015, I had to write to comfort my soul. This was a dark time for me, but I found that writing and capturing my feelings on paper offered me a sense of comfort that even I could not explain. Now, fast forward to 2018. This is the year of positive change for me and positive change for you. Would you agree? I sure hope so. Please visit my Renew Inspiration blog often so we can enjoy this amazing experience together. Hope to see you soon!
Advice for New Bloggers
Advice #1 – Write quality blog content often. Be open and honest when you write. Use creative ways to draw your readers in. Make sure you check your blog comments and reply to your readers. Readers love to stay engaged with bloggers they follow.
Advice #2 – Support other bloggers and writers throughout your journey. Positive support goes a long way. Follow other bloggers via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Also, visit, read and comment on other blogger’s material to encourage others.
Here’s my nominees for The Blogger Recognition Award:
• The Frozen Mind
• Blush Pink Rose
• Make Mommy Up
• Focus in Chaos
• Juliet Ly Lillyrose
• Hope N the Word
• Emma’s Favourite Things
• Chaos & Quiet
• Thoughts With N
• Drained Beauty
• Rachael Hope
• My Joy in Life
• A Brewed Awakening
• Simply Christa Anne
• Finding Inspiration in the Chaos
Please take a moment to visit all of these wonderful blogs and leave an encouraging word in the comment section. Spreading kindness is what this world needs. Happy Blogging and Writing!
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participate in the Target Affiliate Program which is an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com
Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience. – Unknown
Thought for today – Great things never came from comfort zones.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Can you believe it has been 7 months since I launched my Renew Inspiration blog? I am proud of where I am today, but I realize there is always something new to learn about the blogging industry. There is so much information swirling around on the web that it becomes overwhelming to the average person thinking about jumping into the blogging game. It can be a scary experience throughout the entire blog launching process so to succeed it’s important for new bloggers to keep learning, be flexible, ask for help and be willing to adjust with the blogging industry.
Here’s some tips for new bloggers to think about before launching their new blog:
• Tip 1: Determine your niche – What is your passion? What do you want to share with the world? What is your specialty or your expertise?
• Tip 2: Identify your target audience – Who is your ideal reader? Write directly to them. Keep your readers wanting more from you with a strong headline and intro.
• Tip 3: Create clear and precise goals for your blog – Why are you blogging? For fun, a hobby, a business, to sell product or to monetize using affiliates? Write down your goals and make sure to reflect on them when preparing blog posts.
• Tip 4: Come up with a catchy blog title and tag line to get your readers attention. Then, create the perfect logo for your blog.
• Tip 5: Determine if you want to launch your blog using a free website or if you want to invest money in a company like WordPress, then a hosting company like Blue Host.
• Tip 6: Establish one or two social media platforms to focus on when you first launch your new blog. Remember, to share your new blog posts on all your social media platforms. Once you are comfortable, add more as you have the time.
• Tip 7: Have 2 or 3 really in-depth blog posts complete before you decide to launch your new blog. In addition, have more blog posts in various stages, such as drafts to be edited, outlines and topic ideas ready to write.
Once you have launched your blog, it is important for you to stay engaged with your readers. I am going to be honest, engaged will mean different things for different people. For example, if you are selling product or a service, you need to respond to your customers on a regularly basis. However, some people are blogging just as a hobby, so your engagement may be less involved.
Here’s some tips to keep in mind once you have launched your blog:
Tip 1: Post consistently – Plan to post 2 to 3 times per week to stay engaged with your readers.
Tip 2: Use quality photos – Whether you take your own photos or pull photos from a free site, such as Pixabay or Pexels, make sure to use quality photos that are relevant to your blog post.
Tip 3: Discover your writing style – Start with a catchy lead, have a conversational tone through out your blog and ask questions at the end to get your readers engaged.
Tip 4: Write down your thoughts – When inspiration swirls in your head, write it down so you can reflect on it later. It is important to keep all your thoughts and ideas in one place for easy access during the writing process.
Tip 5: Social Media connections – Give your readers three or more ways to follow you. For example, Facebook, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.
Tip 6: Comment on other blogs – Don’t be shy and be sure to write encouraging comments on other blogs. In most cases, the other bloggers will show your blog some love too.
Tip 7: Facebook Groups – Join some Facebook Groups to network, share your blog content, learn from other bloggers and to offer support to others who may just be starting out.
Be creative and always look for new ways to connect to your readers, but at the same time take it slow. Remember, you do not need to understand everything about the blogging process before you launch. I hope these tips give you something to think about from one new blogger to another. Good luck and happy blogging! I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
What inspired you to start blogging? Do you sometimes get frustrated with the blogging process? If so, how do you handle it? Please share some of your advice related to your personal blogging experience.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participate in the Target Affiliate Program which is an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com
There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou
Thought for today – In order to write about life first you must live it.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! I honestly love the thought for today. How about you? “Writing never gets easier you just get better.” Now, this is what I keep telling myself every day when I am researching topics for my blog, writing articles or just writing in my mood journal. According to Ralph Keyes, “serious writers write, inspired or not. Over time they discover that routine is a better friend than inspiration.” This quote means a lot to me because sometimes I just write with no topics in mind. Writing allows me to free my mind and to put my emotions in check. About a month ago, I started writing in my mood journal. I focus on how I feel, what I am thinking, and I include positive quotes/affirmations throughout to keep me motivated. Oh, I cannot forget about the other colorful decorations I use throughout the mood journal as part of my personal expression to describe what I am writing about. I don’t know about you, but I just love writing!
Latisha’s Mood Journal
I want to pause right here to THANK YOU for not only subscribing to my blog, but also for reading the words that I post each week and for believing in me. THANK YOU for leaving comments as well as expressing how my blogs inspire and encourage you throughout your journey. Here’s a FREE TOKEN of LOVE to help you learn more about journaling using valuable TIPS and JOURNAL PROMPTS in order for you to start JOURNALING TO EXCEL:
Just because the process hurts doesn’t mean the results won’t be beautiful. – Unknown
Since I mentioned my mood journal, I wanted to discuss a topic that is dear to my heart…journaling! I truly believe that journaling is a powerful tool that can aid anyone in achieving a successful life. Journaling provides you the space to work out your problems and come up with positive solutions, but it’s also a meditative practice for some people. When journaling, it is important to set aside quality time in your day with minimum distractions to revisit your ideas, goals, strategies, emotions and plans. Those who journal swear by the benefits of this practice. How about you?
Here are some reasons why journaling can help you realize and reach your personal goals:
• Analyze Problems – Time to think, retrace steps, consider motivations, draw conclusions
• Self-Analyze – Help you figure out what is causing you to feel or act the way you do
• Help You Vent – Unload your feelings of anger, resentment and jealousy
• Deal with Trauma – Tap into your emotions and express feelings in a healthy way
• Self-Analysis – Reflect on old journals to learn more about yourself
• Write Down Goals, Affirmations & Quotes – Mental space for ideas and connections
• Plan and Strategize – Space to capture your plan to realize your personal goals
Wherever you go, you meet part of your story. – Eudora Welty
As you can see, there are many ways that a journal can help lead you to success. Whether you’re writing for therapeutic purposes or trying to envision your next steps in life, writing in a journal helps provide you with the privacy, time and space to organize your thoughts. Why not try journaling for yourself?
As you grow and evolve, it might feel like you’re losing your mind. But you’re just losing the old mindset that was holding you back. – Unknown
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Have you decided to write in a journal? If no, why not? If yes, why do you spend time writing in your journal? What kinds of things do you write about? How often do you write in your journal and revisit your journal writing? Please share your thoughts and comments.
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Target Affiliate Program which is an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Target.com
You might not write well every day, but you can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page. – Jodi Picoult
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Thought for today – There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Today, I want to express the passion I have for writing. There are many reasons why I write. Sometimes I write because I am happy, and I also write when I am sad. However, the main reason why I have a passion for writing is to escape. When you hear the word “ESCAPE” what is the first thing you think about? For me, when I think about the word “ESCAPE”, I think about breaking free from something. When I write, I like to escape from life as I know it each day. I like to escape the pain and misery of losing both my dad and mom. Losing your parents leaves a hole in your heart that can never be filled. I like to escape the frustration of parenting adopted children with disabilities and behavior problems. I like to escape the racism of this wicked world for not only having black skin, but also for being a woman. I like to escape from mental illness both depression and anxiety. I like to escape from those sleepless nights when I just listen to my thoughts go on and on. Writing allows me to be honest with my feelings and help me cope with challenges that I face throughout my journey.
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Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on. – Louis L’Amour
Keep Calm and Write On
Let’s use our Journal to escape from negative thoughts, pain, hurt, sadness, and bad memories. Remember, journaling should be a safe place for you to write how you feel and to reflect on your heart felt thoughts. This is your personal journey so make sure you are honest throughout the process.
MIND – Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
• Meditate on escaping from something from within and write about it.
• What takes your mind away from God?
• What brings you the most joy in life? Describe it in detail.
• What qualities do you think others admire about you?
• How much do you truly love yourself? How do you show it?
BODY – No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape that you may be able to bear it. (I Corinthians 10:13)
• What do you feel right now in this very moment? Listen to your body and write about it.
• Do you feel courageous on today? If so, take time and write about it. If not, how can you build courage in your life?
• Where do you struggle with pride, dishonesty, or being discontent?
• In what area of your life do you need to improve self-discipline?
• How do you de-stress during the week?
SPIRIT – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
• How do you cope with pain, misery, sadness, being alone, etc.? Write about it.
• How is God your strength and protector? Write about it.
• When do you feel God’s presence most in your life? How do you respond?
• What is one way that you can improve your spiritual walk?
• How can you improve your prayer and meditation routine?
As you can see, writing to escape is real and takes little effort on your part. If you don’t currently write in a journal today, take a moment and think about how journaling could help you cope with the daily challenges of life. Believe it or not, sometimes I just pick up my pen and just start writing words, not sentences. Before I even realize it, I am writing paragraphs. Writing to escape can help you clear your mind and offer you an opportunity to break free from internal bondage. Writing to escape can help you lose yourself on paper and forget about time. Most of all, writing to escape can bring about a peace that is more powerful than the stress in your life right now. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get our journals and write to escape!
Believe in yourself today, tomorrow and forever!
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please share what you escape from as you write, think or just meditate. How do you plan to escape the challenges of life? What is holding you back from journaling? I look forward to reading your comments and feedback!
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Starve your distractions, feed your focus. – Unknown
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Thought for today – Be focused. Be persistent. Never quit. One day or day one. You decide.
It’s time to focus on what really matters, right? Life, family, careers, households, hobbies, etc. Whether you are trying to focus on some personal goals for yourself or trying to pursue a new career, it’s important to:
• Set Goals
• Stay Motivated
• Be Productive
• Change Your Mindset
A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory. – Arthur Golden
Set Goals
• Evaluate your current situation – What do you want to change?
• Determine your goals – What do you want to improve?
• Write down your goals and revisit your goals daily
• Write down a plan to reach your goals
• Establish a reward system when you reach milestones
• Check your progress and readjust your goals as necessary
Stay Motivated
• Recite positive affirmations and quotes
• Read inspirational and motivational books
• Pick a healthy habit to work on daily
• Join a supportive group to receive encouragement and feedback
• Determine weaknesses and strengths
• Think positive and remind yourself of your goals
• Track your progress throughout the week
Be Productive
• Strive for consistency while working on projects
• Observe how you plan your days – Use a daily To-Do List
• Define your priorities – What’s important to you?
• Have a positive mindset daily
• Define your focus
Change Your Mindset
• Positive thoughts equal positive outcomes
• Admit that your thinking needs to be adjusted
• Seek positive support from family, friends, support groups
• Immerse yourself in personal growth – Read inspirational books or listen to positive speakers
• Forward thinking will move your focus away from where you don’t want to be to where could be
The secret to change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new. – Socrates
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My Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
MIND
• What is your favorite memory or life experience?
• Write about an obstacle you overcame today.
• When was the last time you listened to your intuition, and what was the outcome?
BODY
• Name one area of physical or emotional health you excel in, and one you would like to improve.
• What is your priority in life at the moment?
• What are you proud of yourself for today?
SPIRIT
• How do you respond to setbacks and failure? Why? How could you change this from within?
• When do you feel most confident?
• Write down 5 ways to relax and commit to doing at least 1 each day.
GOALS
• What is your ultimate goal in life?
• What is a habit you want to develop? How will it help your long-term goals?
• Identify your biggest time management mistake.
FOCUS
• What are your 3 biggest distractions, and how do you plan to reduce them in your life?
• What are 3 areas of your life where you are the weakest, and how do you plan to strengthen them?
• Today I showed focus today by _______________________________.
Remember, improving your life starts with improving your mindset. Here’s some suggestions to help you feed your focus throughout your journey:
• Write in your journal every day.
• Write thank you notes to people who help you throughout your journey.
• Read positive affirmations and quotes.
• Write a Wins Checklist based on your best experiences and accomplishments.
• Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Look at how you sleep, what you eat and how much/little you exercise.
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I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
How do you plan to feed your focus? Will you consider journaling to help you feed your focus? I look forward to reading your feedback!
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Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (Psalm 107:1)
Thought for today – Be kind. Be thoughtful. Be genuine. But most of all, be thankful.
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Here’s to another week that our Heavenly Father has given us. Take a moment to think about how blessed you are on today. Did you thank God for waking you up this morning, for giving you the activities of your limbs, for shelter, food, clean water, the beautiful sunshine? Unfortunately, there are a number of people who did not wake up this morning. Don’t take your life for granted. Be thankful for everything that you have and for everything that God will bless you with in the near future. Remember, there is always someone who has less than you or is worse off than you are, so stop complaining and start appreciating all that you have in life.
My To-Do List for Today(tinybuddha.com)
• Count my blessings
• Practice Kindness
• Let go of what I can’t control
• Listen to my heart
• Be productive yet calm
• Just breathe
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)
For those of us who have received another opportunity on this Earth to get our lives back on track, let’s get started today – No Excuses, No Procrastination. No matter what your personal goals are, it’s important to set yourself up for success throughout this journey. Well, I know you are probably wondering how to get started, right?
Helpful Tips to Get Started
• Make it up in your mind that you want to make positive changes in your life.
• Determine what the changes will be and what the changes will look like.
• Determine what you want your goals to be, then write them down.
• Make plans to reach your goals every day by creating a To-Do List.
• Start keeping a journal to track your progress and include both successes/failures.
• Re-evaluate your goals and make challenging adjustments throughout the process.
Remember, whether your goal is to lose weight or write your first book, this process always begins with a thought. In addition, it’s important to hold yourself accountable throughout this process so write about it often.
Take it day by day and be thankful for every breath.
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My Inspiration and Success Guide
• Create some personal goals for yourself and track your progress
• Find some ME TIME and do something that you enjoy
• Start a gratitude journal and write what you are grateful for each day
• Read an inspirational book and write your thoughts about the book in your journal
• Take a long walk and enjoy nature then write about your experience in your journal
• Try a new exercise and stretch afterwards
• Just do nothing or take a power nap
• Take a hot bubble bath, relax and clear your mind
• Find some time for self-reflection and meditate on your successes/failures
At the end of the day I am thankful that my blessings are bigger than my problems.
My Daily Pep Talk
Look in a mirror today and say these words out loud:
I love myself today because I am beautiful, I am strong, I am powerful, I am fabulous, I am unique, I am blessed, I am smart, I am worthy to be loved, I love my smile, I choose to shine on today, I will rise and not fall, I will work toward my dreams and/or goals, I believe in myself on today. Repeat 3 times.
Now, be creative and create your own person affirmations to describe yourself. Allow this to be your pep talk in the morning, repeat it throughout the day, and you can even post them at home or at work.
My Journal Prompts – Time for Reflection
MIND
• What takes your mind away from God, thus robbing your peace?
• What is your biggest dream and/or goal?
• What has prevented you from going after your dream and/or goal?
• What thoughts have I been repeating in my head lately? Are they true?
BODY
• List 5 ways you’ve become stronger and more courageous this week.
• Lord, please strengthen my heart when it comes to ________________.
• When I’m in pain, physical and emotional, I find strength in ________________.
• How can I make more space in my life for the things I love and enjoy?
SPIRIT
• Where do you see the unmistakable mark of the creator? Thank and praise God for it.
• How is God trying to get your attention to stop, treasure, and ponder how he’s working in your life right now in this very moment?
• When have you seen God use something small to produce a big outcome?
• What can I do to nurture my spirit more throughout the week?
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
So, grab your journal and write down at least 10 things that you are thankful for. As the day goes by, review your list and add to it as you see fit. Make sure to set some goals for yourself and plan to reach those goals every day. What are some of your obstacles throughout this process? Do you struggle to get started with new projects or to stay motivated? Did you practice the Pep Talk this week? If so, how did it help you throughout your day? Did you try any of the journal prompts? If so, how did they help you begin your journaling process? I look forward to reading your feedback!
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Thy word is thy lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! So, how often do you read and study God’s Word? Do you just read your favorite verse, pray, then move on with your day? In order to be engaged in God’s Word throughout our lives, we must schedule quality time to not only read God’s Word, but also to write down our personal thoughts about the verses read, determine how we can apply the verses to our own lives and cross reference the information in the Bible Concordance.
Here’s my suggestions for beginning this spiritual journey:
• Set a time to better engage in God’s Word and stick to your plan.
• Gather your materials, such as Bible, Notebook/Journal, Pens, Highlighters, Sticky Notes, Bible Concordance, Dictionary, etc.
• Designate a quiet space with no distractions, such as cellphones, televisions, people, noise, etc.
• You may want to play some soft music in the background to set a relaxing mood.
• Make sure your study area is free of clutter and well lit.
• Pray and meditate while studying God’s Word to open your mind and heart.
• Speak to God often to strengthen your relationship and ask Him to direct your study time.
Thought for today – Each day I need to let God’s Word interrupt me, rearrange me and redirect me.
Making time to read and study God’s Word is so important. God’s Word can help guide us in the right direction or make us rethink a situation before we pursue it further. In addition, our time spent in Scripture must alter us if it has truly been an encounter with God. God has created us to interact and respond to His Word in multiple ways. We should all endeavor to engage in God’s Word throughout our lives and hold ourselves accountable throughout our journey.
Here’s some ways to better engage in God’s Word:
• Study – When we study God’s Word we are investing focused time in a passage word, character or theme. Study requires you to analyze the Scripture which takes concentration and focus. The primary goal of study is understanding.
• Devotional – The goal for devotional reading is application. Simply put, what the Scripture means to me. However, we must make sure this is not the only way we interact with Scripture or we risk losing the truth.
• Meditation – Meditation is the ability to hear God’s voice and obey His Word. During meditation it is important to fill your mind with Christ. The goal of meditation is reflection.
• Memorization – It is important to understand what Scripture teaches us so have God’s Word hidden in your heart and mind. Memorizing God’s Word helps us achieve the goal of discipline.
• Action – Clearly, we must be focused on doing what Scripture teaches. We must be changed and compelled into action, whether in our thoughts or our actions. Spending time in God’s Word must lead us to obedience.
So, as you can see, there are various ways to better engage in God’s Word. Keep in mind, you may not be able to engage in all of these ways each day but schedule your time to include all the areas of study, so you can have a better understanding of God’s Word. Remember, spending time studying God’s Word is our intentional determination to grow in our understanding and to strengthen our bond with Him. Even if you have not engaged in God’s Word in the past, take a leap of faith and start today.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)
• What takes your mind away from the Lord, thus robbing your peace?
• What is your biggest dream?
• What has prevented you from going after your dream?
• What thoughts have I been repeating in my head lately? Are they true?
BODY
Who is own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripe ye were healed. (I Peter 2:24)
• List 5 ways you’ve become stronger and more courageous this month.
• Lord, please strengthen my heart when it comes to ________________.
• When I’m in pain, physical and emotional, I find strength in ________________.
• How can I make more space in my life for the things I love?
SPIRIT
Behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. (Proverbs 1:23)
• Where do you see the unmistakable mark of the creator? Thank and praise God for it.
• How is God trying to get your attention to stop, treasure, and ponder how he’s working in your life right now in this very moment?
• When have you seen God use something small to produce a big outcome?
• What can I do to nurture my spirit more? I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
How often do you read God’s Word? When is your favorite time to ready and study God’s Word? Do you have a favorite scripture that is hidden in your heart? Do you keep a written Bible Journal or Notebook to reflect your study time? If so, please share in the comments section. I look forward to reading your feedback!
Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and Target Affiliate Program which are advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Target.com
Welcome back to Renew Inspiration! Did you know that there are journals for just about everything that goes on in your life? Well, I want to spend some time discussing just a few journal types that helps me cope with the lost of my mother (the grieving process), the emptiness that I feel inside (depression), the various stresses of life that I experience often (looking for part-time work and parenting children with hearing loss) and allowing my creative juices to flow while writing (Renew Inspiration blog and HubGarden articles).
Journaling is my safe place, my time to just write how I feel and scream on paper and no one will ever know. Let’s take a moment to define journal. A journal is a personal reflection of who you are, it’s a repository for all the things that interest and inspire you. A journal provides a safe environment to experiment with your writing style and technique. Simply put, when you write in a journal it becomes your personal journey of creative and heart felt thoughts.
Benefits of Journaling:
• Reduce stress – Expressive writing has been shown to lower stress levels.
• Improve your memory – Regular journal writing can improve your short-term memory.
• Stay organized – Keeping a journal such as a weight loss diary lets you maintain an organized record of your progress and journey.
Journaling Tips:
• Keep a regular writing schedule so journaling becomes a habit.
• Don’t over think your written entries, just write honestly.
• Be creative. Add photos and positive quotes to enhance your written entries.
Types of Journals:
Bible Journal – Bible Journals can provide you with a therapeutic way to better cope with everyday situations, understand your feelings and establish a connection between your life and the biblical content. Include notes, scriptures, life lessons and examples, pictures, quotes, questions, etc.
Bible Journal Prompts:
• What is your favorite scripture and why?
• What values do you want to live by? Find a scripture to support your values.
• In what area of my life do I need to improve self-discipline?
Gratitude Journal – Gratitude Journals allow you to recognize, appreciate and record pleasant occurrences in your life. Also, you can include blessings, special moments of authentic happiness and contentment. Include what you are grateful for, personal thoughts, quotes, stickers, etc.
Gratitude Journal Prompts:
• What are you grateful for?
• What would my ideal day look like?
• What is one thing that I can do to change my attitude?
Prayer Journal – Prayer Journals allow you to deepen your relationship with God by writing down your prayers every day. Learn by reflecting on prayers that have been answered, and others that haven’t. Include prayers, scriptures, personal thoughts, self-reflection notes, quotes, etc.
Prayer Journal Prompts:
• What is one thing I could do this month to improve my prayer life and spiritual walk? Hint – Start a Prayer Journal.
• What is one thing I can do today that would promote a gentle and quiet spirit within me? Hint – Read a scripture, pray or meditate.
• Do you think God will answer your prayers? Why or why not?
Reading Journal – Reading Journals can be a place to store your personal reactions to what you’re reading. Writing down your responses will allow you to discover how you feel about the book itself, the characters, scenery or plot. Include the book(s) you are reading, personal thoughts, emotional responses, connect the book to your own life, questions you may have about the book(s), connect with the characters, etc.
Reading Journal Prompts:
• What is your favorite book and why?
• What is one book you’d like to read before the end of 2018?
• If I was given the opportunity to write a book, I would write about….
Scrapbook Journal – Scrapbook Journals is a cross between scrapbooking, journaling, collaging and sketching pictures to tell a story or to highlight a special memory. Include pictures, personal thoughts, quotes, stickers, etc.
Scrapbook Journal Prompts:
• Do you consider yourself being a creative person?
• How do you like to retell a story or special memory?
• What is one thing that I can do this week to improve my creativity? Travel Journal – Travel Journals are a place where you can write about trips you have taken, what you learned during and after the trip. Include adventures, stories, memories, pictures, personal thoughts, culture, customs, the people you met/saw, favorite places you visited, quotes, etc.
Travel Journal Prompts:
• What makes this trip special to you?
• What are you planning to do on this trip?
• Take time to reflect on the location, people, the customs and the food.
5 Tips for Capturing your Best Journal Ideas:
1. Take your journal everywhere you go to capture those special thoughts or moments as they happen. If your journal is too big, you can always buy a small notebook to use while you are on the go. Then, transfer or glue your notes in your journal at a later time.
2. Select a journal that feels right to you. You can purchase a beautifully crafted handmade journal, a hardcover book with unlined pages, a softcover notebook with lined pages, a 3-ring binder with loose paper, or just a spiral notebook. It really doesn’t matter your style, just make sure that your journal feels right to you and you can comfortably use it to capture your thoughts.
3. Handwrite your journal entries so you are unable to edit your thoughts. Handwriting keeps things more spontaneous and gives you clues about your emotional state. If you’re anything like me, you can tell what you’re feeling just by analyzing the state of your writing.
4. Create an informal table of contents in the beginning of each journal. Number each page and try to list the topics covered as you go along. This makes finding stuff a lot easier down the road or when you just want to reflect on some of your past writings. Don’t worry about doing this each time you journal, but make sure to complete this step before starting your next journal.
5. Don’t worry about format, grammar, or spelling. Remember, this is your personal space and a written account for how you feel right now in this very moment. Don’t worry about following your traditional writing rules, just write.
So, whether you are currently writing in a journal on a regular basis or you would like to start, these journaling highlights should help you on your journal writing journey. Go ahead and grab your journal and write your ideas so you’re able to retrieve your thoughts whenever needed. Your journal holds your pertinent life information, so you can remember and reference at any time in your future. Believe in yourself today, tomorrow, and forever!
I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU
If you do keep a journal, please share some of your writing experiences or the types of journals you like to keep; organizing tips and techniques; pros and cons of journaling; journaling tips that help you continue your journey. We learn from one another, so your comments are necessary for all of us to learn and grow. I look forward to reading your feedback! Renew Inspiration is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates and Target Affiliate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and Target.com
