Home » Projects » Lil Journal Project: Week 1

Lil Journal Project: Week 1

So, I mentioned in a previous post that I was tackling another project to re-teach my hand how to journal.  Here it is, the “Lil Journal Project,” which comes from Ashley Hackshaw, one of my favorite bloggers.  She is a DIY queen with an inspiring story of courage and choosing joy.  Oh, and she happens to be an incredible writer.  I stayed up until 3 a.m. the night I discovered her, just reading post after post like a good book.  She’s one of the reasons I decided to start a blog, and I highly recommend you check her out sometime at Lil Blue Boo.

Anyway, the Lil Journal Project started last Monday and each day, Ashley posts daily journal prompts to inspire creativity.  The structure is exactly what I needed to get back in the saddle again with journaling.  I’ll just share a few of my entries from last week to give you a glimpse of the fun I’m having.  And perhaps you’ll feel inspired to join in!

Day 1 appeared to be simple.  All I had to do was write the following in my journal:

This is my journal.

There are no rules.

It’s imperfect and perfect

all at the same time.

The kicker was that I had to write it using my non-dominant hand (so if you’re a righty like me, that means writing with your left hand).  It took a lot of concentration and effort to try to make my words legible.  The next instructions were to sketch our writing utensil at the very bottom and date the entry.  I actually really enjoyed this task.  (It also felt fair since I had asked my theatre students to write for 5 minutes with their non-dominant hand on the topic of their family this past spring.  Now, I understand their whining.)  Here’s my imperfectly perfect first entry:

Day 1 entry for the Lil Journal Project - "no rules"
This resolves any suspicion that I might be ambidextrous.

Day 3 was to make a list of simple pleasures–the little things that make me feel a twinge of joy.  This was a fun one, and I used Ashley’s list to get me going.

A few of my favorite ordinary moments:

:: a purring cat, asleep, warming my lap.

:: those first few sips of a warm cup of chai tea latte before the whipped cream has melted.

:: Mark’s “just because” hugs.

:: the 105th play of a new song that your ears just can’t get enough of.

:: organizing new school supplies.

:: stifling uncontrollable laughter – – usually in church – – usually with Lisbeth and Mom.

:: hearing the soundtrack of my father practicing the piano.

Day 5 was a handwriting exploration where I explored writing in different fonts, intentionally trying to alter my handwriting.  What I found most interesting was how hard it was to write in proper cursive as I was taught in 1st grade.  I had forgotten the patience required to wait until the very end of a word to dot and cross – – and experienced the tiny delight of starting a word that begins with a lower-case “c.”  I also enjoyed trying to imitate the handwriting of people I know and love like my parents and husband.  It took me back to the school dayz of note forgery (which I never did of course).  Here’s my exploration page in a variety of colors using my favorite pens, Pilot G-2s, and a few sharpies.

Handwriting exploration - Day 5 of the Lil Journal Project - fonts, script, print
At the bottom, I did what any smart person would do with some free space: doodle!  This was the view from the table where I was working.

This has really been a worthwhile project thus far, and I hope to keep it up week after week…even if I miss a day here or there.  After all, “there are no rules” with the Lil Journal Project.

Click here to be taken to the daily journal prompts.
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7 Comments

  1. Hi, I found your blog whilst hunting for silhouette projects. Ive been wanting to start a blog for a while and reading your’s has really inspired me. Your about you page was amazing! Well Done x

  2. What a great project!! Something about that font page reminded me of something SARK would do!! You have always been so good at making posters and fliers with different fonts. The prompt idea is something that appeals to me, too! Have fun!

    1. Just re-read about the note-forgery, which you never did of course!! haha
      Writing with your left hand brought me back to how your first letters and writing looked–sort of! Great drawings, too. Have you considered taking a painting or fine art class along with sewing? 🙂 (I’m living vicariously through you right now…as with your sister going to school for Biblical counseling! I wish I could join you both in your learning, doing, and being.)

      1. Eager to first tackle sewing, but who knows, maybe painting and fine art thereafter! (I do have a few projects to come involving spray painting, but that’s a bit different.) Thanks for joining both Lisbeth and I in our current endeavors just through your reading of the ole blog and constant support. Perhaps we can do some creating together during your visit….

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