letter writing month :: the letters you most need to write

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Sometimes the letter you most need to write is to yourself.  There are words that have yet to be spoken but are longing to be whispered. They are your deepest desires.  The dreams your heart thinks about but is too afraid to say out loud.  You stuff it deep down trying to nudge away the feeling because you know it takes risk to go after.  Your heart could end up broken.   The dream could become shattered.  Where would you go from there if that happened?  So away the thought goes, never to be spoken about.  

These desires are the pieces that need to be written down.  They deserve to be heard and a chance to have their own moment in the sun.  Taking the time to breathe life into them allows you the opportunity to quietly acknowledge how important they are to you and slowly set it into motion.  Once it is in motion you never know how it will play out.  Your job is to take this bold step and give it that initial movement without knowing what the outcome will be.   

Letter Prompt #1

Write a letter to yourself from the future and pretend that the tiny dream you have living in your heart has come true.  Share where you are and the journey you took to get there.  Include all the tiny details and what you are doing.  How you feel and what has changed in your world because you dreams has come true. Write directly from the heart.  

 

There are also stories that you have been carrying around.  They are weighing you down. Filling your head with words that are untrue.  You need to write this out of you.  You need to allow yourself space to let it all spill out onto the page so that you no longer have to hold it.  It is time for you to let go.  

This letter is written with the intent of not sending it.  This allows you complete freedom to write from the heart to whatever situation or person you have been carrying around.  Now is your chance to say all of the things you always wanted to say.  Now is the time to make space for something good and set free what is bringing you down.  Now is the time to forgive. 

After you write the letter destroy it.  Rip it up, set it on fire, crumble it into a tight ball and toss it in the trash can.  You no longer need these words.  Let them go.  

Letter Prompt #2

Write a letter to the person or thing you have been holding onto that has been dragging you through the mud.  Get out everything you need to say, everything.  Close the letter with kindness and let this person or thing know that you are letting it go.  Let them know that you no longer need to carry this burden and you are done.  

And sometimes the letter you most need to write but feel strange about doing so is a love letter to yourself.  Yes, to written by you for you.  It is in this letter where you have the opportunity to love deeply on who you are.  To be gushy and real.  To celebrate the handwork you are doing and recognize how far you have come.  Yes we all need to show ourselves a little bit of love!   

Letter Prompt #3

Write a love letter to yourself!  Begin with . . .
       dear stunning soul  {an opening that is filled with love}
           I am so proud of you for . . . .
           You have accomplished . . . 
           Each day you show up and . . . 
           I can't believe you know how to . . . 
          Just look at . . . 
      Love madly and deeply, your biggest fan {an ending that is filled with love as well}

 

Spend some time this week writing these very personal letters.  See how it feels to spend time on YOU!  Be gentle and tender.  Love yourself up deeply!  

Are you looking to explore writing a little deeper?  Are you drawn to the page but just don't know where to begin?  

Join me for brave journaling.

From May 1st - May 21st I encourage you to show up on the page and provide you writing prompts to dive deeply into.  


virtual dock

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taking that step forward

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Stop and savor this moment
This tiny sliver of time where you are taking a brave step forward
You have no idea where it is going to lead, but you are taking the step anyway
You know you have to do it
You know if you do not you will always wonder
You have no idea where this one step will lead you
It may not end up being what you had hoped or thought
Or it may just be the dream you have been always looking to hold onto
All that matters right now, in this moment is that you are doing it
You listened to the sound of your heart
You tuned in to what it was really desiring and you found an opportunity 
You know it would have been easier to set it aside, make up excuses, not explore your options
But you did not do that
You found a path and you are willing to venture down it
Celebrate this moment
Do not let it pass without you acknowledging that this big
It is a shift, a slight shift to a grand unknown
Step boldly into it

finding the perfect notebook for your writing

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This is my notebook.  It goes with me everywhere.  You will find it  inside my bag or tucked under my arm if I don't have my bag with me.  I write in the car, outside on my front porch, in bed, at my kitchen table, at the local coffee shop, in parks, at the mall, at the doctors office . . .  the list could go on and on.  Writing has saved my life.  I know that is a very bold statement, but it is true.  I turn to the page almost every day as a way to release, work things out, dream and scheme.  I am happy when I am alone with my notebook and a pen and even happier when I am sitting outside using these tools.  

I have always been interested in the written word.  When I was very young I found the card more intriguing than the birthday present.  I would ride my bike or walk across town to spend hours at the library.  And when I tried my hand at writing my own words I was in hook line and sinker.  I would write for hours in my journal scribbling my own inner dialogue or jotting down quotes that made me smile and then stuffing that journal deep underneath my bed so no one could find it.  

It was in my journal where I felt most at home for a long time.  I was able to write down anything and was never once judged or laughed at.  It was a private conversation between me and the page that no one else ever had to see unless I shared it.  Having this space gave me an opportunity to work through a lot of the struggles that I encountered.  

Once I began journaling I never stopped. It became a life line for me and is still a tool that I use today. My notebook is always with me there to catch any thought that pops up.  It is a very personal space and one that I cherish.  As I turn to the page to spill my heart and soul it continues to save me again and again.  

You do not need to consider yourself a "writer" to reap the benefits of journaling.  It is a very personal practice and I encourage you to give it a try.  For the next few Wednesday's I invite you to join me here as I will be sharing different ways and tips to get you diving into your own daily personal writing practice.  

First up:  Choosing a Notebook

Choosing a notebook is a very personal choice.  There are many out there to choose from and you are guaranteed to find one that suits you, however it may take some trial and error.   

First begin by deciding if you want lined or unlined paper.  I am a lined journal type of girl because without lines my writing becomes extremely slanted and I do not like the way that looks on the page.  However, your journal process may included sketches or art along with your writing and the lines may feel constricting to you.  If you aren't sure experiment with one and see how you like it.   Keep in mind that your practice will evolve as you dig into it and what you were drawn to today may shift over time.  

Next think about the size that feels good to you.  When thinking about size take into consideration where you will be writing.  If you are like me and will be tucking your notebook into your bag and carrying wherever you go a larger notebook may become to much.  Take into account the size of bag you use and what notebook would fit nicely in there.  Also think about what space you feel most comfortable writing on.  Do you long for space to spread out in or is a small pocket size notebook just thing that pulls you in?  Remember, if you aren't comfortable writing in it you will never use it.  

Lastly consider how plain or fancy you want your notebook to be.  Does a beautiful cover draw you in and make you feel like your writing is more intentional?  If so go for it.  You can find many stunning notebooks at the bookstore will all different types of paper feel to them.  However, maybe writing in something so fancy feels intimidating.  You may feel restricted to write in it because you do not want to mess up the beautiful book.  If so go for something that feels more in your comfort zone.  I  am drawn immensely to beautiful notebooks but for my writing I use a composition notebook.  I was drawn to composition notebooks because of their size, how easily they are to get, and their price point.  I quickly write through notebooks and purchasing fancy ones just doesn't fit well with my budget.   Plus they are no longer just the black and white marble covers that you remember as a child.  Now you can find them with many different awesome options, plus they are all the same size so they stack nicely for me when I pull them all together.  

Remember you have to do what feels right to you.  It needs to be something that you are comfortable with and drawn to so that you want to write it in.  Consider how the notebook and paper feels in your hand.  Don't struggle to much with the decision because you can always get another one if what you choose doesn't work for you.  See what you have around your house.  There may even be a notebook that you haven't used or only used a couple of pages from tucked away somewhere.  Pull that one out and begin there.  

Are you ready, go ahead . . . find the notebook that works for you!  Share below in the comments what your favorite notebook is.  What you love may be just what someone else has been searching for.  

national letter writing month :: writing prompts to get you going

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photo credit:  Thea Coughlin

photo credit:  Thea Coughlin

It is National Letter Writing Month!  When is the last time you sent or received a letter in the mail, the real mail?  There is something so special about receiving a bit of love in the mail.  It is a delightful surprise that lets others know you are thinking of them.  

Yet sitting down to a blank piece of paper can feel intimidating.  You may not know where to begin or what to say.  Have no fear!  Below are a few prompts to get you going.  Choose someone you want to write to and begin with one of the sentences below.  See where it takes you.  Be open to what pours out.  

  • What I want you to know . . . 
  • I remember when . . .
  • Before I met you . . . 
  • My wish for you . . .
  • Together lets . . .

When you write from a place of love others feel that as they read your words.  Be willing to be open and let your heart be seen.  Do not be afraid to show that person how much you care about them and tell them how much they mean to you. 

Your words will brighten there day.  So go ahead, sit down and write a letter

happiness jar

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We have rolled over into a new month and that means the opportunity to dig my hand into the happiness jar and pull out a slip of paper.  I am loving how this has turned into a monthly ritual.  I never know what I will pull out but I do know that it will be something that has made me happy.  What could be better than that?  

My happiness jar sits on my kitchen table and is a visual reminder to me that life is good, really good.  Even if I am having a "terrible horrible no good very bad day" I look at the jar filled with colorful papers and I instantly smile.  It reminds me of the moments I have created; the ordinary pieces that fill me up; and the unexpected that has brought surprise and delight.  All of that is capture in my happiness jar.  

Sitting down each night to write my one happy moment has given me the opportunity to really feel the moment and celebrate it.  Now keep in mind these moments aren't all grand and pretty.  Sometimes my happy moment is as simple as --- walking in the door after a long day at work!  Taking the time to write that down reminds me of how grateful I am for my home and how safe I feel here.  

Time flies by all to quickly.  If we don't stop to take it in and appreciate it we let it slip away even faster.  {click to tweet that!}  Taking the time to dig my hand into the jar gives me even another opportunity to appreciate all the moments in my life.  So I shake the jar up and dig my hand in.  

This month I pulled out: Going for a run at lunch time.  It felt so good to move my body {3.35.15}

It has been awhile since I have been away from my desk at lunch and getting outside to move by body was just what I needed.  Sometimes we have to push ourselves to what is best for us, but once we do it we are beyond thrilled.  The happiness jar is one of those things for me.  It takes dedication to show up to it, but I am so happy that I do.  The best part is that it does not take to much time.  I have the slips of paper pre-cut {which is huge for this unprepared chica} so all I need to do each night is grab a slip, jot down a moment, and drop it into the jar.  

Have you created a happiness jar?  Do have any rituals that you do with it?  

It is not to late to start one.  In fact you can begin at any time.  There are no rules!  Go ahead, find a jar and drop in your first happy moment today.