Here is something you can do for yourself this holiday season, and share generously with your friends:
The Good Things Journal is a tangible, concrete way to repair self-esteem, learn more about yourself, and actively engage in self-care. The ‘hands on’ nature of it circumvents over-thinking and over-analyzing and draws material into the body via the senses (pleasure in colors, etc.) so that a depth of experience is possible. It’s creative, but not in a scary ‘I-Must-Make-This-Perfect-Or-I-Am-Unworthy’ way. It’s creative in the way that we all simply are, no matter what your Art teacher said. This is for you, in every way.
Suggested basic materials: 3 ring notebook and a box of page-size,
clear sheet-protectors (cheap at Staples).
Into these sheet-protectors, slide items that are healthy, healing, fun, funny, wise, pleasing, to you. For example: photos of people, animals, places that you love; inspirational quotes, cards from loved ones, cards you have bought yourself because they are so beautiful (don’t forget to write yourself a love note in the card!); compliments people have given you, compliments to yourself (oh, I like how I said/ did/ handled that!), encouraging letters you write to yourself, cartoons that tickle you, lists that remind you of how to physically and emotionally take care of yourself (what feels good to you when you are sick?); lists of people you admire and/or love, favorite music and movies, treasures found in nature such as feathers and leaves, etc. In other words, fill your Good Things Journal with things that feel good! Then it becomes a “Go-To” resource for hard times. (And you can continue to add to it for the rest of your life.)
Good Things Journals can come in all shapes and sizes - here are some examples of what they can look like!
The Good Things Journal is a tangible, concrete way to repair self-esteem, learn more about yourself, and actively engage in self-care. The ‘hands on’ nature of it circumvents over-thinking and over-analyzing and draws material into the body via the senses (pleasure in colors, etc.) so that a depth of experience is possible. It’s creative, but not in a scary ‘I-Must-Make-This-Perfect-Or-I-Am-Unworthy’ way. It’s creative in the way that we all simply are, no matter what your Art teacher said. This is for you, in every way.
Suggested basic materials: 3 ring notebook and a box of page-size,
clear sheet-protectors (cheap at Staples).
Into these sheet-protectors, slide items that are healthy, healing, fun, funny, wise, pleasing, to you. For example: photos of people, animals, places that you love; inspirational quotes, cards from loved ones, cards you have bought yourself because they are so beautiful (don’t forget to write yourself a love note in the card!); compliments people have given you, compliments to yourself (oh, I like how I said/ did/ handled that!), encouraging letters you write to yourself, cartoons that tickle you, lists that remind you of how to physically and emotionally take care of yourself (what feels good to you when you are sick?); lists of people you admire and/or love, favorite music and movies, treasures found in nature such as feathers and leaves, etc. In other words, fill your Good Things Journal with things that feel good! Then it becomes a “Go-To” resource for hard times. (And you can continue to add to it for the rest of your life.)
Good Things Journals can come in all shapes and sizes - here are some examples of what they can look like!
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