Spring Inspired

Sunshine and warm breezes are right around the corner! You can find Spring-inspired covers in our online journal collection. Soft greens, pale pinks, florals, and airy styles are what the season brings. Here are some tips to refresh your journaling habits or start something brand new.

Embrace Different Styles of Journaling

First, remember that there isn’t just one way to journal. If you normally stick to prompts, try free writing instead. Let your thoughts flow onto the paper without an end in mind. Free writing allows you to express everything without needing to sound polished. No editing, no judgment. Just write.

Moving Forward Together - Women's History Month

Journaling has always been a powerful tool for improving mental health. We can admit that as women, we carry many responsibilities and wear multiple hats throughout the day. All of these factors bring stress and various emotions, creating an overwhelming need to decompress. Everyone is different, and there are countless healthy outlets for processing your feelings. Journaling is one of those outlets. It creates a safe space to breathe and reflect.

By expressing yourself on paper, you create a record of patterns and reflections that allow you to let go of your day, week, month, and year. Journaling is essentially talking to yourself with purpose. You externalize your emotions, so they don't become stagnant and turn into negativity.

It's crucial for women to foster positive mental health due to the roles we play. Journaling builds self-confidence, promotes growth, and expands our emotional intelligence. Finding your journaling groove helps you recognize the good things in life, your strengths, and the stress patterns that propel you forward or hold you back. Every woman has a story. Even if you're just sharing it with yourself, your story is important and reflects your journey to becoming your best self.

Journal Prompts for the Month

Focusing on a prompt for more than a day allows you to dive deeper into the topic. This expanse leads to personal growth. Here are some prompts you can use throughout the week. Write freely and forget about spelling or grammar. Comfortable writing fosters genuine journal entries.

• What signs of spring have you noticed in nature? What are three of your favorite things about the transition from Winter to Spring?

• What does personal growth mean to you at this moment? Have you experienced any growing pains this year?

• Write about a challenge you overcame since last Spring. How did it change you?

• Describe a book, movie, or song that reminds you of Spring and why.

  
  

Become an Inspirational Journaler

This year, one of my goals is to express myself more through journal design. I aim to create a brand that represents me while inspiring other women to prioritize their mental health through journaling. Finding inspiring women who share this vision is essential. They focus on healthy habits, gratitude, and personal growth.

That's why every newsletter will feature an Inspirational Journaler. I want to connect with women who are relatable, educational, and uplifting. Flicker + Wish was created to support your journaling journey. It’s about cultivating a habit of writing that helps you grow.

I’m thrilled to welcome Martika Shanel as my first Inspirational Journaler. Upon following her on Instagram, I quickly realized that Martika's presence is genuinely inspiring. She is the creator and cohost of the Cup Half Full Podcast, an author, a United States Army Officer, and the owner of a Safety Consulting Firm. Her passion for affirmations and planning has paved a very successful path.

I asked Martika the essential question for a journaling interview: Do you journal, and do you journal in various ways?

“Yes, I journal. My style may be stream of consciousness, where I write about my current thoughts, or a directed style where I follow a prompt. I also have a gratitude journal where I focus specifically on what I'm grateful for.”

Having different journaling styles preserves freshness in your practice. Many people never evolve in their journaling, which makes it tough to stay consistent. I asked Martika about the biggest benefits she's observed from journaling.

“The most significant benefits I’ve noticed include clarity on my daily direction, being centered as I process various issues, and a sense of accomplishment. Overall, journaling helps me identify gaps in meeting my goals.”

Her response led us seamlessly into the next question. Have you ever used journaling as a tool for processing a challenging experience?

“Absolutely. I’ve used journaling to navigate several complex situations. It is particularly useful when I untangle complex emotions. For instance, when I debated resigning from corporate America to focus solely on my safety consulting firm, journaling helped me process the weight of that decision to ensure I made the right choice.”

Life can be incredibly busy with work, family, and various obligations. It's vital to have conversations with ourselves and reflect on our realities. Journaling facilitates this process by transferring thoughts from our minds to paper—though finding time isn't always easy. I asked Martika how she stays consistent with her journaling.

“I incorporate journaling into my morning routine. After exercising and reading, I sit down to journal.”

I asked her something close to my heart: How do you set the mood or unwind to start journaling?

“My thoughts flow more freely outdoors, connecting with nature. I’ve created a cozy and functional patio setup to help create the right atmosphere for effective journaling.”

We can all look forward to connecting with nature as the seasons change. Hearing how Martika journals reinforces the importance of focusing on mental health and making time for ourselves.

Things to Track in Your Spring Bullet Journal

When journaling, consider tracking the following:

• Gratitude Tracker

• Exercise/Steps Tracker

• Family To-Do List

• Travel Plans

• Books to Read

• Mood Tracker

  
  

Spring Page Color Palettes

By incorporating these tips and prompts, you can maximize your journaling experience this Spring. Let each page reflect your journey, and remember: Your story matters!