Hello, friends! It’s been over two weeks since I’ve published a post. Mornings have been hard for the last several months for so many reasons and my blogging has fallen to the wayside. I miss my morning quiet time more than I can begin to describe and I sincerely hope to get back on track this winter. One morning rhythm that I haven’t lost, however, is journaling. Despite missing a few days here and there, I’ve always been able to consistently get back on track.
Here’s last week’s spreads. My morning journal has been a Hobonichi Techo for the last year. I love that the pages are pre-dated and I don’t have to think too much while I’m trying to get my brain in gear for the day. I’m a sucker for all things Hobonichi, as most of you know, and opening this notebook every day fills me with gratitude and awe. It’s 100% worth the expense!
The journaling pen I’m using right now is the PaperMate Ink Joy Pens in 0.5mm; I always prefer 0.3mm pens but there’s not a wide variety of gel pens in that size. The 0.5mm is working well for journaling purposes but I’ll update you on the pen I use with my Hobonichi Weeks in another post. Sometimes I use a fountain pen but I like being able to just slide a simple PaperMate into the pen loop and not worry if it gets lost. I’d be devastated if I lost a fountain pen!
I use morning journaling as an opportunity to wake up my brain and to center myself for the day. The entries are often repetitive and I’ll always try to identify the most important thing to do every day. And it only takes 15-20 minutes a day to finish an entry given that the size of the page is quite small. I used to follow Julia Cameron’s advice and write 3 pages every day, which often took 45 minutes to an hour because of my small handwriting. This works much better and is much more useful to me!
I’d like to get back into the habit of sharing my notebooks more often! I think rebuilding a blogging routine is the easiest way to get back in the habit of regular blogging. Fingers crossed!
I hope your week starts off well. Take good care!
The Cozy Burrow 
Sorry that things are tough this winter. Big hugs. Journaling really does help. You got me started on morning pages and I am still doing it. My books are meant to be destroyed at some point and aren’t half so pretty. Well not at all pretty. Anyway wishing you all the best.
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I’m so happy to hear that morning pages have been helpful for you! And my winter hasn’t been so bad – it’s been the mornings that have been difficult 🙂 But no worries; I’m hoping to get back on track soon!
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I have been thinking about you. Sorry to read that mornings have been difficult but very glad that you have been able to write in your beautiful journal.
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I’m hoping that my mornings will return to normal soon. My journal has definitely been helping! 😀
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Always love to read about your corner of the world. I was a morning person for so long but I am leaning into a new season when things like writing blog posts and putting pen to paper happen in the afternoon. It feels like it goes against all the “wisdom” but I’m trying to find what works for me, at least for now 😉
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I love that you’ve found a writing time that works well for you! I can’t seem to summon the brainpower or find the time for any type of writing once the kids are up for the day. But perhaps I could find a way? I’m willing to try anything right about now!
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It has taken me years to come to this place. Everyone, everything seems to say morning is the time, but it didn’t work for me. This might just be a season of adjustment for you. Be kind to yourself 😘
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As much as I enjoy reading your updates here, I don’t ever want you to feel like it’s something you have to do! Your morning journaling is obviously an important start to your day, so if time is limited, that is going to have to come first. I’m also happy to know there are others out there who are picky about their pens!
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Thank you, Sarah! I definitely don’t feel like I HAVE to blog — it seems like that’s been the first thing to go these last few months! But I miss it. And I miss finding the time to connect with all of you. And I’ve been wanting to write in different ways because I am full of ideas right now and frustrated that I can’t figure out when to do it. Especially since it’s 5:45 and Colton is already yelling at me because he’s ready to come downstairs!! And I hear Bronwyn awake too. Ha!
I’m sure things will sort out when the time is right, so I’m not too upset. Just confused and frustrated!
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I’m glad you’re finding time for journaling, it seems to satisfy your heart. This is a very busy time in your life, you need some ‘me’ time.
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Thank you, Gretchen. The journaling makes a big difference!
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I, likewise, am so happy to see an update from you! I hope your routine settles soon and you can find time for your favorite things! I love this peek into your journals… finding one that works is crucial to making this habit stick!
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Thank you, Kat! We never really adjusted to the last time change (months down the road)! Maybe that means this next time change will be a breeze? Don’t want to jinx it! And totally agree about finding a notebook that works – it makes all the difference in the world to me!
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Good too hear from you. Sending thoughts. I have done the morning pages and now just folliw my own path. I have different journals for different things.
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I love this, Linda. Notebooks are amazing!
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Honestly, this is the most difficult time of year for me, and I think many others! The excitement of the holidays is past, and the relaxing feel of January is gone, and what is left is just a cold, dark slog until Spring. It’s SO important to do things for yourself so I’m glad to see you have kept up journaling! Hearing about notebooks and pens is one of my favorite things – thanks for sharing!
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I totally agree, Sarah. This time of the year can feel like such a slog. Notebooks and pens are one of my favorite things too so I’m glad you enjoyed this post!
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It’s so wonderful to see your post Katie. Journaling is so rewarding and satisfying, and I think it’s awesome that you find the time to do it. I journal too but mostly at the end of my work day, and finding that blog posts are later in the day too, I think for me I simply would rather do other things in the morning. Enjoy your day, and your week.
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Thanks, Tina! I love that you’ve found a rhythm that works well for you!
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It’s always good to see your post pop up but don’t feel obligated. That said, I love to read about journals, pens, and journaling. It’s fascinating to me. Someday I mean to try a fountain pen.
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I’m glad you’re able to still find time to journal! If it brings you peace and joy, then I am glad you’re able to keep it up! Always nice to see an update from you. (I recently took a month off blogging for various reasons.)
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Laila! I hope all is well with you and you were able to get some rest during your month away.
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Lovely to see you here – and I’m glad you’re prioritizing the journaling – in that beautiful journal! I’m back to journaling with a fountain pen – I love the way the pen feels in my hand, the way the letters flow, and the sound the nib makes on the paper. Fundamentally, though, getting the words on the page is the best part!
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Fountain pens are so lovely! I’m so glad that you’re enjoying so many things while journaling!
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One more comment from me. If journaling works better for you than morning pages then journal. I do better with Natalie Goldberg’s idea of free writing although I think Cameron makes some excellent points in her book, The Right to Write.
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Good to read an update from you Katie! Routine is important in our home so I understand how it feels when routine is out of whack. And the time change twice a year does not help either! It always takes me a few weeks to get back into sync after a time change. I always dread the time changes! Ugh! Hope things will be able to even out for you soon. Sending you hugs!
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