My Story

I kept journals as a child in short bursts of three or four months at a time. Years later when I found them and reread them I was so embarrassed by my younger self that I threw them away, a decision I deeply regret now. They served their purpose at the time, helping me work through thoughts and feelings, but I wish I had kept them.

Journaling returned in earnest when I studied abroad in Rome during my third year at Notre Dame. I kept an almost daily record of what I ate, spent, and experienced. Those pages still transport me back to my younger self and everything I loved about that year. I journaled about my time walking the Camino de Santiago using Instagram. Each day I took photos and videos, and compiled those into a reel and added a written reflection. I did the same for the West Highland Way in Scotland, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.

Today journaling is a committed part of my morning ritual. I write for fifteen minutes, and sometimes I use books like Suleika Jaouad's The Book of Alchemy for their writing prompts. I write my responses directly in the space provided or the margins. Books are sacred to me, but not so sacred that the pages are pristine. I also keep a journal dedicated to Elizabeth Gilbert's practice of beginning each entry with the question "Love, what would you have me know today?" It is a way of writing without the inner critic, from the heart and free of judgment.

A third journal lives in my bathroom. Beginning in September 2025, God began speaking to me in the morning on days when I was really struggling with stress from work. The voice was always calm, positive, and reassuring, entirely unlike the inner critic voice we all carry. I began writing God’s words down as he spoke them to me. Looking back at six months of entries is genuinely moving, and he has continued to speak to me in the season of creative momentum.

Allison Fallon writes in The Power of Writing It Down that putting pen to paper is one of the most powerful tools we have for processing emotion and working through difficulty. I have found that to be true. Fifteen minutes of journaling leaves me calmer, and my mind clearer and more at peace.

Where to Begin

1. Choose one or more journals you love for the layout and feel in the hand.

2. Find prompts in books or writing communities, such as Suleika Jaouad’s Isolation Journals. I’ve been a member for years and highly recommend it.

3. Write freely on whatever comes to mind.

4. Create a space and set aside time to write. Set a timer for 10, 15, or 30 minutes. Let go of the urge to say anything profound. This time and space are for you.

Supplies

1. Journal. These from Muji are my favorite. They fit well in a purse and hold together beautifully over the years. Many are gifted to me by friends who know of my love of writing. I ordered the journal to complement Suleika’s most recent book and I’m excited to use it soon.

2. Pen. I love a good Muji pen. I also am very well known for my use of pink pens, and I use the same brand/style in blue. A friend gifted me this pen and it has quickly become a favorite.

3. Timer. Losing track of time while writing is a thing. These keep me on schedule.