Journalling. What's the point?

The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron

The link above will take you to the Amazon.ca page for Julia's book. If you would like to order a copy for yourself. 
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The point of my journaling journey: It saved me from the trauma and distress that I have experienced and allowed me to create a new relationship with myself

Why did I get started?
It was 1993, February.  I was entrenched in a 4 year Goldsmithing apprenticeship that I was finding very difficult.  The work was challenging, yes, and the Master Goldsmith I was training under posed more challenges.  I was at my wits end and not sure if I wanted to continue with the training.  We had been fighting. The long hours and lack of appreciation for my dedication to his business was wearing thin.

I wanted a break during my work day to go for a walk, or out to lunch etc. however, we were the only two at the store at the time.  He was angry because he felt it was unsafe for him to be in the store on his own, just in case something happened. Jewellery stores are targets for thieves.  I get it.  And, the intensity of the environment was getting to me.  I sat down in the front lounge within the store to get out of the workshop space.  I started rifling through the Western Living Magazines and found an article on journaling.  It sounded interesting.  In that article Julia Cameron's book was recommended.  I jumped right up and told him I had to run to the stationary store, so he would have to lock the door behind me. I'd be right back.

One thing I'm really good at is taking action when I'm inspired.  You may not know that about me, yet. At Reid's Stationers in Calgary I found Julia's book and bought my first journal.  Nothing special, just a simple blank book.  I couldn't wait to get home to start reading and journaling.  

I have not looked back since.  I have been journaling for 31 years. My journals have documented all the highs and lows of my life.  My divorce, the birth of my son, my single parenting days and meeting my best friend and now husband Rob.  It has been an amazing place for me to go when I felt all alone and overwhelmed with the decisions I was making. 

How do you do it? 
Julia is an advocate of morning pages, three pages written without lifting your hand.  It's quick, easy and gets the idea that writing is hard, or has to be perfect, completely out of the way.  It doesn't matter what you write.  You don't even need to write in complete sentences, no punctuation or spelling to worry about.  Simply filling those three pages first thing in the morning with anything that comes to mind.  I highly recommend Julia's book if you are new to journalling or even if you've been journaling for a bit now.  

There were days that my emotions ran so deep and wide that I spent hours pouring through my ideas, lamenting the things said to me, the hurtful connections etc.  It  was the only safe space to really vent all the angst that I had built up.  Slowly I was able to come back to living my life without all those things occupying me.  

Journaling saved me, I'm sure of that.  I developed a relationship with myself that is so authentic.  I cherish getting to know myself this way.  

As a result of my love of journaling, I have many journals that I've purchased over the years, even creating my own journals in my company Thirsty Journals.  Almost 3000 journals in total, all hand made, and sent all over the world.  Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Rio de Janeiro, all over the US and Canada. 

Here are some images of the open spine version of the journals I used to make. 

​I am no longer hand constructing journals, however, I have a line of journals that I'm developing with my art featured on the cover.  So exciting.  

Here is the a sample of the first one.  ​

This painting is titled "You are Invited in."  How appropriate.  You are invited in to imagine all your hopes and dreams, your trauma, your distress.  It's a really pretty place to further your relationship with yourself.  These journals are available on my website.  I'll leave the link below for you to take a closer look. 

They are $22.95 CDN plus taxes and shipping. 
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Here are the details.