besottment by paper relics

I have another journal prompt for you that I found. It was thoughtful post about processing emotions, that can be applied to almost any situation to help you get more clarity on what you are feeling. No matter how big or small your issues, I am a firm believer in journaling and working through your feelings to help come out the other side in a better place. That is why I share my journals and thoughts with you.

On a daily basis I remind myself that some of the angst I am feeling is from stories I tell myself (which I am working on changing with my amazing Life Coach Solvig which I will do a post on in the future), and that it won't always feel like this, that I will have days where I do not break down in tears on a regular basis. But it isn't enough.

A post I stumbled upon referenced work by John Gray, and simplified what I found from researching and discovered here and here. It basically is asking 4 questions to tap into what you may be feeling to help get a better hold on things and a step towards stronger emotional intelligence. I chose to work on my current growing pains, and this exercise really helped put things in perspective for me.

I am going through a difficult time at the moment. A lot of change in my life and I am feeling a immense growing pains. The universe is certainly propelling me to make some big changes in my life, letting me know that I got too comfortable in what was only supposed to be a stage in my life. Change is hard, and scary for me. I get very anxious about the future, and fearful that I am not strong or worthy enough for the greatness that awaits me on the other side. I get angry with myself for getting stagnant and not expanding as I should. And sadness, so much sadness I cannot put words to it to give it the justice it warrants. Also sorrow, for so many things. But in that I do find some shreds of hope that I must cling to, to help me move forward. So I added that one question of my own. Because I strongly believe there are lessons in all that we go through, we just have to sometimes look hard for them.

Here is the instagram photo I posted while I was working on the spread late at night, I am sharing so you can see my method of journaling. I used my Travelers Notebook.

I first wrote out the questions. And added my fifth questions of "I feel hope about this because..." and started there.

Of course I added some vintage papers, and some tree bark that I peeled off a tree that I saw with a friend. We were discussing how the tree needed to shed it's bark to make room for new growth, and it applied greatly to my life so I took a piece with me to represent this stage in my current growth, so it was perfect to use in this spread.

I used my vintage label maker to write out the key words to add interest of the page, and some fun alpha stickers for "Hope".

After the fun stuff, I sat still for a bit and let my emotions, good and bad, fill me. Then wrote out the difficult emotions I am feeling in regards to the other questions.

In case you are curious - here is where I am as I sit here typing this on this beautiful day. Where I am sad and have a heavy heart, but hopeful for the future.