The Benefits of Keeping a Journal

Yesterday, I bought my daughter her very first journal (or diary, whichever you prefer). Her entire life she has watched me write in journal after journal, sometimes she'll ask about what I'm writing, other times it doesn't even phase her. Then one day she decided she wanted one of her own, and now that she's able to write simple sentences I thought it would be a great time to buy one.

I received my first journal when I was in grade one, too. Who knew it would become a lifelong habit? I keep it with me at all times, and anytime an idea strikes me, or I hear someone say something interesting, come across a website or artist I want to look into or maybe I just need to get my feelings out, I grab my book and pen and write it down.
 

There are many great reasons for keeping a journal, whether it's filled with writing, collages or drawings, and here's why:

1. Keep track of your goals:

I often write down all of my goals in my journal. It helps me decide what's most important. Also, you can keep track of them much easier when they're written down. You can read over your progress as you continue to work through your goals, and figure out what's working and what isn't.

2. Get your feelings out:

Sometimes we have emotions that can be difficult to deal with. Writing them down can help clarify what's going on. I noticed for myself, once I write down what's bothering me I realize that it's really not as big of a deal as I thought it was inside my head. Or maybe you don't have anyone you can talk to comfortably and so writing it down in a journal is a great way to do that.

3. Your autobiography:

Maybe your journal won't be quite like the one written by Anne Frank, but it's a great way to be able to look back at your life and read from your own thoughts. For example, I find a lot of humor in my journals from high school and when I was pregnant (which was really the same time...) If you're comfortable with it, it might be interesting for your children to read when they're older. Or, maybe you'll become famous and someone might want to publish it like Nikki Sixx's Heroine Diaries!

4. Jot Down Ideas:

A journal is a great place to quickly jot down ideas that pop in your head whether it's for a work presentation, a new painting you'd like to start or a story idea.

Well, those are my top reasons.

Do you keep a journal? When did you start? And why do you continue to write in a journal?

 

Thanks,
Cole

 

The Power of Gratitude Lists

 

Be Grateful For Everything:

 

Everything you own, everything you have and everything you are!

 

It's really easy to get stuck in a negative mindset. I was stuck in one for many years, and still often catch myself thinking negatively quite often. There's a lot to complain about if you think about it. But thinking about it won't do you any good. It's a horrible down spiral of negativity once you get started.

 

When I find myself slipping into those old, familiar thought patterns, I find the best way to get away from it is to begin listing things I am grateful for, whether it's just a list in my head or I write it down.

 

Now I try to write a list of ten things I am grateful for every night in my journal. It's a great habit to get in to. At the end of the day, I go through all of the wonderful things that have happened and jot them down. And if I have more than ten, that's great!

 

Benefits of Gratitude Lists:

 

You Notice More Things to Grateful For

 

Once I started doing this regularly, I started to notice that I not only think of things to be grateful for at bedtime, but during the day, too. As I go through my day and something awesome happens, like I win a free coffee or run into an old friend, I feel grateful right away and keep it in the back of my mind for my nightly list. My days go by a lot happier now.

 

You Begin to Love Yourself More

 

When keeping a gratitude list, you'll eventually start writing things down that have to do with yourself. It could be a new dress that compliments your figure, your excellent listening skills or the A you received on an exam. When you start thinking positively about yourself you will love yourself more.

 

It's Good For Your Health

 

Being grateful is apparently good for you health. Obviously, feeling optimistic is sure to ward off stress which can reduce many health risks on it's own such as high blood pressure, cancer, obesity, etc. Not to mention, apparently people who practice gratitude regularly sleep better, exercise more, eat healthier and just take better care of themselves in general.

 

Makes You a Happier Person

 

Keeping a gratitude list will make you a more optimistic, positive and happier person. You will likely be less angry and depressed if you constantly think of things to be grateful for. And when you're grateful, and happy, other grateful, happy people will be drawn to you. Which helps you make friends and network, which definitely makes me happier!

 

Will Motivate and Encourage You to Complete Goals

 

When you are grateful, you are happier and more likely to want to work on goals. You will have more energy, better brain power and optimism! All which will help you accomplish your goals faster!

 

You can be grateful for anything!

 

What I'm grateful for this week:

1. Going to the drive-in with my family.
2. Having my friend stop by for a few beers.
3. Watching the bees pollinate my garden, knowing they're responsible for helping create all of our fruits and vegetables.
4. Being able to afford hair dye.
5. For having clean clothes to wear!
6. My new summer dress that fits perfectly.
7. The fans my Grandmother bought us during the heat wave.
8. Having dinner out with Nick and Sidney Thursday night.
9. For the thunderstorm that made the power go out and tree limbs fall off trees!
10. A day trip to the beach today with Nick and Sidney :)

 

 

What are you grateful for this week? Can you think of any others benefits to keeping a gratitude list? Feel free to share in the comment section! :) 

 

 

Thanks,
Cole

 

 

P.S. - Check back every Monday! As I continue to write my weekly gratitude lists.

Who am I? And What Keeps Me Sane.

I often lose sight of myself. 

Who am I? What do I want out of life? Where am I going? What am I doing? What am I even thinking? Am I going crazy? Have I already gone crazy? Who is this crazy lady talking to herself?

Oh yeah, it's me.
 

 

 

Hello, world!

 

And yet I still don't know myself.

I am 23 years old tomorrow. I don't care for birthday wishes, presents or parties, but I do want ice cream cake. Hold the candles.

In my (short) life I have learned many things. I have strove to be a better person, and still have fallen flat on my face. Often actually. And in public. But besides my physical clumsiness (which Nick refers to as being absent-minded, not clumsy), I feel like I am constantly struggling to stay up on my feet mentally, spiritually and emotionally. 

There are things that have helped me, though.

Journals

 Picture from DarleneBNemeth

 

Since I first learned how to write I have been writing in a journal. It's the one thing in my life that has kept me sane. Writing down what's going on in my life, my feelings, my hopes, dreams and goals, has some how kept me from a complete and total meltdown. It's helped me keep track of my goals and to-do lists. More importantly though, it's a way to talk about your feelings without having to confess all your deepest, darkest secrets to an actual human being. By writing everything down you can look back on what you were thinking a little bit later with a fresh perspective, and help you realize how completely insane you were. 

The Secret

My Lifesaving Book!

 Picture from The Secret

Yes, The Secret by Rhonda Byrne has been helping me become a more grateful and optimistic person. Over a year ago I would have laughed at this because I thought it seemed very silly. "If you can believe it, it will be yours!" It sounds kind of silly if you think into it too much, but after reading The Secret, and then later on The Magic, I have noticed some major changes in my attitude. From a recovering pessimist, I highly recommend reading The Magic. 

Art

My desk at D3 Artworks Studio

 D3 Artworks Inc.

Last year I had the great fortune to be able to participate in an art program at D3 Artworks. I met a lot of cool people, learned some new skills and had some amazing experiences. All of the employees were so generous, encouraging, understanding and motivating. They made me feel good about myself, and even helped boost my confidence and self-esteem. It's because of the people at D3 Artworks that I was able to start this blog, and open my Etsy shops. They gave me the courage to apply for college and look into funding. They also helped me feel more comfortable with myself. I can't believe I was lucky enough to have that life changing experience. I want everyone in the world to be able to come across something like that one day if they haven't already.

I have a long way to go.

It's been really difficult the past couple of years. Financially I've been struggling to keep up with our bills. Emotionally I've been struggling to feel happy because things aren't exactly how I want them to be. Stress has caused a lot of strain on me physically; weight gain, acne and bad habits. 

And still...

I believe that we can all be whoever we want to be, have the things we want, and live the life we dream of. There will always be obstacles and challenges, but that's what makes us stronger.

This life has been one hell of a ride, and yet I have no regrets. I wouldn't change anything, because the events that have led up to this point have shaped me into the person I am today. 

Instead I continue to look ahead while trying my best to enjoy the present.  

What are some things that keep you sane?

Thanks, 

Hilarious Things I Wrote in My Pregnancy Journal

Cole 2007

I've been keeping journals since I was 7 years old, and for some reason I felt like reading the one I wrote when I was pregnant. And, okay, it was just hilarious to read. A little depressing, but thinking back on that time I was definitely a drama queen.

Mix teenage girl hormones, with a first time serious boyfriend and pregnancy hormones and what do you get? I very unstable, emotional and somewhat crazy person. Seriously.

Funny things I wrote in my pregnancy journal:

1. I went to Shade's Mill Beach today. It's actually kind of nice, I just wish they had a food stand.
2. I'm just this fat, bitchy, sloth that walks around eating and bitching at everyone.
3. I might as well be dead. I'm so useless.
4. Next week is the first week back to school. Ha ha stupid students! I'm so glad I don't have to go back.
5. Yeah, the pregnant one had no date and just looked like some knocked up slut.
6. I ate so much at the buffet that I almost threw up in my mouth when I tried to pick my purse up off the floor. My mom had to grab it for me. 
7. I have a cold, I have a sty and a stomach ache. All I want to do is sleep for the next month... Except on weekends, October is the best month ever.
8. My doctor told me I had to stop eating so much junk food, Ha! 
9. Yesterday Nick and I finally made our gingerbread house. It looks cool, but I already ate one of the walls.
10. Some how I managed to gain ten pounds in one week. The nurse's eyes almost bulged out of her head and then she said, "Oh my!"
11. On the way to the store we passed the soup kitchen. A man was chasing a woman and stole her walkman. She couldn't get it back so she called him a "f@*#ing goof." Then he threw a rock at her head.
12. Weekends aren't long enough. Didn't go to Home Depot. Didn't get Sidney's dresser. However, did get a yummy pumpkin spice coffee!
13. One of Nick's friends is pregnant. Who knows, maybe she isn't so annoying any more and  Sid and I can have a friend each now, but that's just wishful thinking.
14. I haven't bothered to wear make-up or change my clothes since Sunday, but today I did. (written on a Wednesday)
15. The only way I can fall asleep is if I make a nest for myself in the center of the bed with three comforters, five pillows and then watch Wayne's World. 

Does anyone else keep journals? Do you ever read them later? I always find them embarrassing, yet hilarious years later.

Thanks, 

Nicole