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Journaling the Things You Love

Journaling the Things You Love

The reason why many people love journaling is that it is a major source of joy and inspiration. I love talking about this part of the journaling process where you get to incorporate the things that make you happy into the pages of your notebook or journal. While journaling can benefit productivity, planning, and organization, it can also be a huge reminder about coming back to the positive and enjoying the things in life that make you the happiest. This post is all about the things that make you happy. Watch the video tutorial to get a quick how-to on creating a page of “pick-me-ups” and then browse some of the journal examples to get inspired. There is no wrong way to incorporate the things that make you happy in your notebook. There is only adding more of this type of content into your journal to balance out the hectic busyness of planning, organization, and goals.

JournalingStephanie HamptonJanuary 22, 2024joy, positivity, journal, journaling, things you love Comments

Use a Passion Planner as a Blog or Business Planner

Use a Passion Planner as a Blog or Business Planner

I started Writing Mindset in 2017 as a place to talk about my experiences in the classroom. Now, I get to talk about teaching, and I also get to write about different aspects of my life like journaling and motherhood. By nature, I am a pantser when it comes to writing (Read more about plotters vs pantsers here) I tend to write from the heart, and I am committed to writing about my passions and interests. While I love writing, this type of whimsy doesn’t always result in a consistent posting routine.

Enter the Passion Planner to help me start being consistent with all of my content here on the blog.

If you have followed the blog for some time, you know I love Passion Planner as a business and as a product. If you are in the market for a standard planner for scheduling, this is the one you reach for when life feels chaotic or busy. However, Passion Planners can also be used for a variety of other journaling ideas. In this blog post, I am going to give an overview of how I am using a Passion Planner to track business ideas, manage expenses, monitor income streams, and organize all blog content. With this plan for consistency, I hope to reach some goals that I have had since early on in my blogging journey. A Passion Planner isn't just a scheduling aid; it becomes a strategic partner in manifesting your aspirations. Join me in discovering how this purposeful planner can not only enhance productivity but also serve as a compass for navigating the exciting journey of blogging or running a business.

Journaling, PlanningStephanie HamptonJanuary 21, 2024passion project, blog planner, editorial calendar, blogging, business, business plannerComment

Setup a Daily Journal You Will Use Every Single Day

Setup a Daily Journal You Will Use Every Single Day

Journaling can be used for all aspects of life. This year, I am trying to use more than one notebook to work on projects throughout the year. I have chosen to focus on reading, cooking with different food and recipes, and planning out my work on the blog in a Passion Planner. Even though I am working in different notebooks, I always come back to my daily journal to be the constant notebook I have nearby.

A daily journal is critical to keep up with the daily chaos that surrounds our roles, our schedules, and our minds trying to keep up. This blog post is not just about starting a journal; it's about creating a personalized outlet for your thoughts, dreams, and aspirations. The best part about journaling is that it is customizable. You may like my setup, and you may want your journal to look a bit differently. I invite you to take what you need from my daily journal. After a lot of trial and error, you will see my journal mainly focuses on planning, thinking, reflecting, and dreaming.

Journaling, Self-Care & WellnessStephanie HamptonJanuary 20, 2024journal, journaling, daily journal, 2024projects, everyday notes, braindump, morning pagesComment

Create a Reading Journal for the Year

Create a Reading Journal for the Year

Before moving into separate notebooks this year, I would always keep my reading notes in my daily journal. I set a goal this year to read 60 books, and in doing so, I want to be more purposeful about the learning that goes along with reading those books. As a former middle school English teacher, I tend to stick to middle-grade books even for my personal reading. There is something about this age group and the style of writing that will always speak to my teacher's heart. This blog post is not just about documenting the books I read but about creating a meaningful space to explore the power of stories. I wanted to provide a place where you can see the notebook, the overall process, and maybe grab some inspiration for your reading journal along the way.

Journaling, Self-Care & WellnessStephanie HamptonJanuary 18, 2024reading, reading journal, reading goal, personal readingComment

Create a Food and Recipe Journal

Create a Food and Recipe Journal

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, finding moments of mindfulness can be a game-changer. As a writer passionate about teaching, motherhood, and the power of journaling, I'm excited to share a new project notebook for the year: A Food and Recipe Journal. The idea for this journal all started with one spread in my journal that my husband and I would come back to over and over again when talking about the “what’s for dinner? question each evening. I would recreate this spread many times each time I moved over into a new notebook.

Nourishing our bodies goes beyond the mere act of eating; it's about embracing an approach to wellness. In this post, I will share how I set up my food and recipe journal. My hope is that this journal over the course of a year not only houses the meals that my family shares together but pushes me to try new things in the kitchen. The first page of my food and recipe journal is dedicated to my daughter. She is the best helper in the kitchen I could ever have, and she reminds me that even when we may self-identify as not being good at something (like cooking) we can try anyway.

Recipe Review, JournalingStephanie HamptonJanuary 16, 2024food, recipes, dinner, lunch, breakfast, journaling, 2024projectsComment

Cozy Up with 30 Hygge Journaling Prompts for a Mental Boost

Cozy Up with 30 Hygge Journaling Prompts for a Mental Boost

One of the things that I love the most about journaling and the journaling community is the atmosphere and feeling that go into getting your thoughts down on a page. Then, add in the stress release of bullet journaling, feeling organized, and getting the running to-do list of groceries, errands, and work down out of your brain and on to the paper as well. Journaling is literal therapy you carry around with you on-the-go. Some of the best feelings is setting and establishing the tone and ambiance of journaling. Enter hygge. Hygge is not a new concept on the blog because it is a light feeling of happiness from self, things, surroundings and places, and even people. This post has a free 30 day hygge journal notebook prompt, and it contains some hygge tips for setting up your journaling atmosphere. Pick what you need from the 30 prompts or check out the 7 days of prompts to get you started and feel inspired in any notebook.

Journaling, Self-Care & WellnessStephanie HamptonJanuary 11, 2024hygge, comfort, journaling atmosphere, hygge journaling, journal prompts, journaling prompts, mental healthComment

Journaling Through Motherhood: A Busy Mom's Toolkit

Journaling Through Motherhood: A Busy Mom's Toolkit

When this blog post was first published in 2021, it was the first blog post I wrote postpartum after having our baby girl. After over 12 hours of unmedicated labor, I officially became a mom to an amazing baby girl. My husband and I became a mommy and a daddy. Originally, this post was written as a way for new moms to talk about the role of journaling in the postpartum journey and newborn phase. Now, this post is more of an invitation to use journaling as a tool for lots of different aspects of motherhood. Motherhood is a remarkable journey filled with joy, laughter, and countless moments that you don’t want to miss. Yet, amidst the chaos, it's easy for busy moms to feel overwhelmed by the demands of nurturing a family, managing a variety of household items, and balancing work-related tasks. In the whirlwind of diapers, playdates, and bedtime routines, moms need to carve out moments for themselves, moments for reflection, and ultimately use journaling as an outlet for self-care. In this blog post, I invite you to explore practical tools for planning, goal-setting, continuous learning, and stress management. All by using a notebook or journal as your sidekick.

Motherhood, JournalingStephanie HamptonJanuary 8, 2024journaling, first time mom, FTM, motherhood, postpartumComment

A Jumpstart Guide to Journaling Lingo

A Jumpstart Guide to Journaling Lingo

In 2017, when I started my first bullet journal, I was captivated by all of the terms and different ways that people could use journals and the bullet journaling system. It felt like a whole new planner, but one that you create on your own.

Almost like the ultimate journal or planner.

The best planner or journal of all time.

The perfect way to find balance, organization, and peace.

I began to see over the years that journaling can be made into your own unique needed system. You can take from one style of journaling, and then add it to another. You can mix and match. You find what works for you. The only issue with this is that it is sometimes difficult to keep all of the terms and lingo clear in your mind. This post contains a quick two-page dictionary for understanding the world of journaling. You can also check out the Introduction to Journaling that I have posted here, a free 73+ page guide on how to introduce (or reintroduce) yourself to journaling.

JournalingStephanie HamptonJanuary 5, 2024journaling terms, journaling, journal guide, dictionary, termsComment

100+ Ideas for Any Blank Notebook

100+ Ideas for Any Blank Notebook

Got a blank notebook around the house you don’t use? Have a half-filled notebook that you love that you don’t want to ignore any longer? Find a use for any blank notebook using this giant list of 100+ ideas. Any blank notebook will work for any of these activities. Some of these notebook ideas may travel with you throughout your day, some notebooks will stay at home on the shelf. If you need a notebook recommendation, check out the product review page on the blog. One of the main messages on the Writing Mindset blog is that “you are what you write.” However, even more so, you are all of your dreams, goals, and habits. All you need is a blank page.

If you don’t know where to start with a journaling system, start with the post “Choose a Journaling System That Works For You.”

JournalingStephanie HamptonJanuary 5, 2024blank, blank notebook, journaling, journal, ideas Comments

Chic Sparrow Traveler's Notebook Covers A5, TN, & B6

Chic Sparrow Traveler's Notebook Covers A5, TN, & B6

Chic Sparrow is a leather goods company that started out making journal covers on Etsy and now creates various lines of journal covers, purses, and other journaling accessories. There are many notebook covers out there available at a wide range of prices. Their brand is definitely on the higher end, but my covers are absolutely beautiful. These covers are genuine leather that gets better over time as they age. They also offer second-chance sales and have a clearance section as well. You can find a cover that you love in the size that you want. The appeal of a journal cover is customization. Traditionally, traveler’s notebook covers feature strings where you can put inserts or small journals on each band. You can also add traditional journals or notebooks on the strings and change them out. The idea is to keep the cover consistent and have the ability to change out the inside. I have covers in sizes A5, Traveler’s Notebook, and B6. These covers fit my Archer & Olive notebooks perfectly, and they have held up well with everyday wear and tear. This post features all three sizes, but it will speak directly to the product of journal covers as a whole.

Journaling, Planning, Product ReviewStephanie HamptonAugust 21, 2023chic sparrow, product review, journal product review, leather cover, journal cover, shopping listComment

Unlocking a Fresh Start: How to Effortlessly Move Your Bullet Journal to a New Notebook

Unlocking a Fresh Start: How to Effortlessly Move Your Bullet Journal to a New Notebook

New notebooks may be a form of journal lovers’ addiction. There is nothing like a new notebook to make you feel like you can conquer the world or take on a new project. A new notebook purchase would logically take place when one notebook is filled up and can’t be used any longer. If you are an avid journal lover; however, you will often find yourself making up a new reason to jump into a new notebook.

Whatever form of journaling you use, I find that most people who carry some form of an everyday notebook or journal or more likely to need to move over to a new notebook for whatever reason. This journal could be a planner, feelings journal, diary, or bullet journal. Bullet journaling has become an incredibly popular method for organizing your life, tracking goals, and unleashing your creativity. However, there may come a time when you need to move your bullet journal or just your everyday journal from one notebook to another. Whether you've filled up your current journal or simply want to switch to a new one, this step-by-step guide will walk you through the process of migrating your bullet journal seamlessly.

JournalingStephanie HamptonJuly 28, 2023journaling, new notebook, migration, bullet journal, bullet journal migrationComment

Journal Fixer Upper: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Journaling Inspiration from Joanna Gaines

Journal Fixer Upper: Unleash Your Inner Designer with Journaling Inspiration from Joanna Gaines

It is no secret in our household that we love HGTV. I personally love anything with Fixer Upper, Fixer Upper: Welcome Home, Magnolia brand, and Joanna Gaines. If we are in Target, we are going to take a stroll through the Hearth & Hand section to get some ideas. Joanna, the renowned designer, author, and co-star of HGTV's hit show Fixer Upper, has captured the hearts of millions with her impeccable style and eye for design. Beyond her expertise in home renovations, Joanna Gaines also provides endless inspiration for those seeking to incorporate her unique aesthetic into their own creative endeavors. In this blog post, I will delve into the world of drawing and journaling and explore how you can draw inspiration from Joanna Gaines to transform your creative spaces.

JournalingStephanie HamptonJuly 21, 2023joanna gaines, fixer upper, journal inspiration, creative journaling, art journalingComment

Battle of the B5 Notebooks: Archer and Olive vs. Dingbats - Which Reigns Supreme?

Battle of the B5 Notebooks: Archer and Olive vs. Dingbats - Which Reigns Supreme?

If you are journaling and not playing around with notebook sizes, I highly recommend trying different sizes out to see what fits your style! I recently have been working the most in B5 sizes (Roughly 7.48 × 9.84 inches). It is the largest notebook I have ever worked in because the typical notebook I grab for is an A5 (5.70 × 8.26 in), B6 (4.9 × 6.9 in), or traveler’s notebook size (4.33 x 8.25 inches). All three of these notebooks are smaller and can easily fit into a bag with the rest of your materials. I always thought B5 was too big, but what I am finding out is that I stick around longer in a B5 notebook and it fits just fine in a bag or tote. This post explores two of my favorites: The B5 Archer and Olive Notebook and the B5 Dingbats Notebook. I will give you insights into their similarities and differences including paper quality, size, feel, and durability. You can’t go wrong with either notebook-it all depends on personal preference!

Journaling, Product ReviewStephanie HamptonJune 5, 2023b5, journaling, journal product review, dingbats, archer & olive, archer and oliveComment

A Go-To Shopping List for Journaling Accessories

A Go-To Shopping List for Journaling Accessories

You don’t have to be a journal or notebook lover to be obsessed with office supplies! There is nothing like a new planner, sticky note, or pen to make you feel organized and on top of everything. Sometimes it feels like a journey to find the perfect notebook or planner. You may weigh in your mind things like size, paper style, paperweight, pen loop or no pen loop, hardcover, softcover, and more…the easier part of loving office supplies is browsing through journal accessories that will speak to your inner office supply lover and planner lover.

Because who doesn’t feel more on top of things when they have journaling supplies in stock?

This post is a mini-shopping guide roundup of all of my favorite office supplies to buy…after the perfect notebook is already in your hands. If you are still looking for the perfect notebook or the perfect journaling system at this point, start with this post: “Choose a Journaling System That Works For You” to get you started. These are items that make journaling or using a notebook just fun and allows you to be really creative. You will also see pictures of my journal or planner because I use items like these all the time.

JournalingStephanie HamptonMarch 21, 2023gift guide, shopping list, journal supplies, journal accessories, journaling stuffComment

Make it Visual! Journaling Mood Boards Make Inspiration Easy

Make it Visual! Journaling Mood Boards Make Inspiration Easy

Journal brainstorming session (n): a time period where you think about how you will set up your journal or notebook and what theme may bring all of the layouts together

Layouts or Spreads: Individual entries in a collection in a notebook, Example: January layouts for the week, month, reflections, goals, etc

Inspiration for your journal is everywhere. This past week, I got caught up in thinking about how I might update my vision board for the month of January. Vision boards are typically collages with tons of pictures, and I noticed that I do the same process on Pinterest when I am looking for inspiration in my own journal for themes, layouts, doodles, and more. This post contains some ideas to get you thinking about your next journal entry.

What will you learn to draw?
What colors will you use?
What tools will you need to make it happen?

Think of your next journal project as a vision board of creativity. This post has 12 different journaling mood boards to be a source of inspiration for your next project!

JournalingStephanie HamptonJanuary 25, 2023journal mood board, mood board, vision board, theme, collectionComment

Holiday Gift Guide for the Person Who Loves Notebooks and Office Supplies

Holiday Gift Guide for the Person Who Loves Notebooks and Office Supplies

While I am a classroom teacher and love all things office supplies, I also have many people in my life who love all things paper, office supply and feeling organized. You have to admit: There is nothing like a new planner or journal to make you feel on top of it and ready to take on the world. This post gathers some ideas about the person in your life who appreciates the same feelings you may have toward sticky notes, new pens, and stickers that can make your day better. Remember, this is a gift guide for other people, but you may find yourself clicking “add to cart” for yourself as well. My favorite thing about gifting office supplies is that the “treat yo’ self” factor does not have to be a big one. Sometimes a small pack of pencils can make my day better. Have fun spreading some holiday cheer with all things paper, writing, journaling, and organization!

JournalingStephanie HamptonNovember 21, 2022holiday, gift guide, shopping list, journal suppliesComment

Cozy Fall Journaling for Everyone

Cozy Fall Journaling for Everyone

Everything that reminds me of journaling also reminds me of fall types of things. This may be the best season for grabbing a notebook and getting ready to write.

Hot beverages.

Warm blankets.

Crisp mornings.

Sunlight in windows.

Nanowrimo.

Brain-dumping worries.

Moving a little bit slower in life as we get ready for winter.

Thinking about how the goals for the year are going so far.

Getting ready to think about goals for the new year.

Whether you like the fall for the football, changing leaves, or pumpkin spice lattes, journaling has a place in everyday routine. This post is an ode to fall journaling. Think of it like a fall journaling toolkit. These are all easy things you can add to your journaling routine to get the most out of fall. Included in this post, you will find an update on my fall journaling routine, cozy fall music links to set the vibe, fun accessories and stickers, and reflective prompts to get you thinking.

JournalingStephanie HamptonOctober 7, 2022fall, autumn, fall journaling, fall burnout, september, october, fall leavesComment

Journaling for Anxiety

Journaling for Anxiety

Anxiety and stress have always gone hand and hand. On the blog, I have written about the natural anxiety and worry that comes with being a classroom teacher for years. Many of my posts mention waking up in the middle of the night thinking about lesson plans, feeling like I can’t get ahead of my to-do list, or wondering how to fit it all in to achieve the ever-elusive “work-life balance.” Then, I became a mama, and a newer level of worry took over. Anxiety is a natural part of life. Tapping into the fight or flight response, anxiety is one of the most natural things that someone can feel. However, when unchecked, it can also make life more difficult. Some people seem to worry more and some less. Some people cope better with stress and worry than others. No matter where you are on the spectrum of anxiety, a notebook or journal can be a useful tool to calm a busy mind. This post includes a video overview of 5 different strategies for responding to anxiety including grounding, timed release, squared release, making a creative music playlist, and growing your own thought garden. You can also go a bit slower and look at the description of the exercises in detail.

Journaling, WellnessStephanie HamptonAugust 1, 2022anxiety, teacher anxiety, worry, journaling, journalComment

Introduction to Journaling for Beginners

Introduction to Journaling for Beginners

Interested in using any notebook or journal to make life more positive? I have found that people use a notebook or journal for six different reasons: productivity or planning, expressing emotions or feelings, reflection, setting goals, learning something new, and getting inspired. The best part about journaling is that you can design a system that works for you. You do not have to have the perfect planner-you can create one! You do not have to wait to find joy-it can be found within the pages of your notebook! This post offers a basic introduction to the WHY behind journaling and also an overview of how to SETUP your notebook to get you off on the right track. You can choose how you learn throughout the post: 1.) Watch the Youtube video 2.) Review the Google Slides presentation on your own 3.) Listen to me walk you through the presentation through the Loom link.

JournalingStephanie HamptonJuly 16, 2022introduction to journaling, introduction, beginner, beginners, journalComment

Journaling to Shift Your Mindset

Journaling to Shift Your Mindset

Positivity is something we have to actively seek even when it isn’t easy. It is important to have a strategy to know how to shift from a negative place to a more positive one. This shift is known as a mindset shift because we can choose to voice our feelings, state our goals, and come up with a plan that is obtainable. You are literally shifting from a negative place to a positive one with a specific set of steps. A mindset shift can be used for a variety of reasons:

You woke up in a funk
You don’t feel like getting out of bed
You are having a bad day where it feels like one thing after another
You don’t want to work out
You are dreading doing something
You are struggling with motivation or procrastinating on a project
You are completely overwhelmed
You are cranky and no cup of coffee is helping

This post contains a quick video tutorial on how to do a mindset shift in any notebook or journal. You can also get some ideas of when to use a mindset shift from the informational slides that follow.

JournalingStephanie HamptonJuly 14, 2022shift, mindset shifts, mindset shift, positive mindset, positivityComment