What I love

What I love about journaling is how versatile it is. You can try something new every day, stick with what it works, or a mixture of each. It never gets boring and is fun to experiment.

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Not the end of the world journaling prompt or exercise

Were you a little nervous, wondering about the end of the world? Or a
lot nervous? Or not at all?

When you think of the world ending, what do you think?

If the world did end, and somehow were still alive, what would you miss?

What are you going to do every day to live a memorable day? Or, how
will you now live a memorable life every day?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Christmas Memories: A Journaling Prompt and Exercise

Do you like Christmas?

What are your memories of Christmas?

What were your most memorable Christmases--for the good or bad?

What are your favorite Christmas memories?

What are your least favorite Christmas memories?

What were your favorite gifts you have given people?

What have been your favorite gifts received?

What Christmas traditions do you have?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

Another Memory Snapshot or Mining Your Memories Chart Journaling Exercise or Prompt

Here is another fun way to capture your memories on the page: 

1 Make a list of 5 columns at the top of the page. Label the columns:

* Year

* Object

* Person

* Place

* Favorite

2 Then, do a list of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25--where you list that number of each in that column. So, for instance, 5 different years in your life. Each time you list creates a square. So, we would have a chart of 25 or 125 different squares when we are finished--depending on how many you listed under each column. 

3 This chart now gives you endless prompts to use to mine for your memories in your mind and remembrance. Use one of the squares and do a Stream of Consciousness journaling where you write whatever comes to mind, and as fast as you can, and without stopping for ten minutes. Then, do 2. Then, do 3. Then, do 4. Then, do 5. Or, mix it up and do 1, 5, 4, 2, 3--for example. 

For example, if I decide to do 3, I could do this: 1980, Mom, Home. I, then, am to write about a memory about all three squares from my chart. 

This will give you endless possibilities. 

I also recommend doing a new chart at least once a month so this exercise doesn't get too boring. 

You can also do the chart per your age. Let's say I was 40. I could write 40 items in each column and create 200 squares. 

This is an exercise or prompt to really have fun with. You never know what might come to mind. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Sandy Hook Journaling Exercise or Prompt

How are you today--one week after Sandy Hook?

Have you mourned enough? 

How has the loss touched you and changed your life? 

How are you living differently now after Sandy Hook?

What does your life mean to you now?

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

Memories Quote

Journaling Retreat: Stirring Up the Memories

Journaling Retreat

Well, we are about halfway through our second day of our journaling retreat. I just thought I would check in with you.

JOURNALING EXERCISE AND PROMPT:

* So, how are you really? 

* How has today's journaling retreat been for you?

* How is it for you to remember the memories--the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent? 

* Has stirring up the memories been a good or tough thing? 

* What are your favorite memories that you've listed?

* What are the most powerful memories you've listed?

* What are the most life-changing memories you've listed?

* What has surprised you?

* What memory snapshots do you want to do? 

* What have you learned through writing your memory list?

* Is there anything you want to share?

* What do you want to write more about? (Which memories?)

WHAT NOW?

So, what should we do now that we are almost halfway through our day? 

* Keep doing whatever journaling prompt or style you want to associated with this memory list retreat. 

* Do some memory snapshots.

* Write a paragraph of journaling of 7 different memories.

* Write 1-page for 1 memory.

* Etc. Etc. Etc.: Do whatever you want to do. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journaling Retreat: The Day After

Journaling Retreat

Why don't we grab our favorite beverage and some food, if we haven't done that already? Then, while we are at it, we should probably grab our journals so we can start our day of journaling.

In this case, we are on Day 2 of our Journaling Retreat. However, this blog post can be used in the future for the day after a journaling retreat. It was a retreat in which our goal is to get as many memories down on the page from our lives as possible: the good, the bad, the ugly, and the indifferent--all of them. Today, we will spend another day doing much the same. However, there will be a few differences.

Therefore, whether you have a 1-day journaling retreat or a 14 day one, this blog post will provide more information for having a journaling retreat of your own--or joining me on my planned journaling retreats. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT:

* So, how did your journaling retreat go yesterday? What did you think about it?

* Did it go as well as you hoped--or not so well?

* How many pages of journaling did you get done? (But, remember  it's about quality--not quantity. I am asking this question merely as a point of reference.)

YESTERDAY

I had several thoughts yesterday as I made my memory list:

1 "Wow! I forgot that."

2 "That reminds me."

When I would write or re-read my memories, they would remind me of other memories.)

3 "What perfect timing before Christmas."

I get sentimental at Christmastime very year. this year is no exception. It was a wonderful time to focus on memories. It gave me a big warm fuzzy on the inside for the most part. (Note to self: Do this every year just before Christmas. It was worthwhile.)

3 "I'm stuck."

I would get stuck. I would get to the point I didn't know what to do, think, or write next.

4 "I'm tired." 

By the end of the day I was exhausted. I could not write another word until I took a break.

Yesterday went better, and worse, than I imagined at the start of the day. I do not know about all of you. Also, I had never done such an intense day of memory listing. Never. Not like that. The truth is I would do it all again--and will today. But, I learned a few things I will do differently today, which I will share with you in a moment.

MY STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY OF 2013

My goal for 2013 is to get all of my memories down on the page and in my journal. I also want to write about each of those memories and focus on writing a great deal on a few of them. I want to look back at these memories from today's eyes and see where I have come, where I am, where I am headed, and where I want to go from here. 

I want to look at how my experiences, memories, and stories have shaped who I am today. I also want to make sure I write the stories of others' in my lives as well--since their stories have undoubtedly shaped mine. 

TODAY'S JOURNALING RETREAT

Our goal of this 2-day journaling retreat is to get as many memories listed from our lives as possible in our journals. We want to try to write enough of a description that we can look back it a year from now and know what memory we referred to as we listed our memories. 

Make sure to get as many memories down on the page as possible, using the prompts described in this blog post:

http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-storykeeper-odyssey-journaling.html

I also recommend doing as many of the prompts as possible, and a few of your own, so you don't get too tired, too bored, or get to the point you are tried and need a break. Keep it fresh.

If you do get stuck, pick one of the memories you have listed and write more about it. In fact, you might want to do a Memory Snapshot of the memory. 

MEMORY SNAPSHOT JOURNALING: 

It's okay to do steps 1-5 with just one memory. You can also just do #1-2 for one memory or #1-5. However, just remember how the more you do, the more you'll get out of this exercise. What you want to do exactly is up to you. 

~ 1 List in your journal at least 5 memories you have or haven't mentioned previously. Give each of the 5 memories a memory title, date (or at least approximate season or month as well as year), how old you were, a paragraph description, and how it's shaped your life.

~ 2 Choose 3 of the memories and write about a page about each. (Do one paragraph or 10 pages--depending on your time and your drive that day). List each of the 6 senses of: discernment/intuition, smell, sound, taste, touch, and sight regarding each memory. Also, answer who, what, where, when, why, how, and what-if questions in regards to that memory. (You may also choose to do a SOC about them as well.)

~ 3 Choose 2 of the memories which stand out to you the most and take 3-7 snapshots/photos of the memory with your imaginary camera. If the memory is crystal clear and you remember lots of detail, make it 7 snapshots. If it's foggy, make it 3. If it's in-between, you decide how many snapshots. Then, describe each in your journal. This will add about a paragraph per snapshot per memory.

~ 4 Take 1 snapshot from each memory and write it from the perspective of a stranger who's looking into the moment. Remember, the stranger doesn't know any of the people or events in the snapshot until the stranger sees this snapshot for the first time. Be descriptive.

~ 5 Plan on what future memories you might want to do this with later. 

IT'S THAT TIME

Shall we get started on our journaling retreat today? I will write more blog posts periodically to help us along. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journaling Retreat: Checking In and Journaling Exercise

Journaling Retreat

We are over halfway through the day and should have quite the list of memories so far. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE:

* So, how is your memory list coming? Is it going better or worse than you imagined?

* How long is your list?

* What memories have surprised you?

* What have you forgotten and remembered?

* How have you compiled the list so far? What has worked and hasn't worked for you?

* Pick three memories to write a paragraph more about at this time.

* What memories have you made at different restaurants? List them.

* What foods and recipes remind you of memories? List the memories. 

TIPS

Have you tried to re-read your list as you go--to see if any other memories sre stirred up and remembered? 

Have you talked with someone else about your memories and see if they could help you jog your memories? 

MY PROGRESS

I have 20 pages so far of my list  But, I've been emailing back and forth with my mom who has reminded me of some memories and I have done the same with her.  Then, when I see her emails, it reminds me of something else. This has been helpful.

But, now I am getting sleepy and have slowed down with my list  So, I am going to try to switch it up for a bit and think of all my favorites--of anything and see what memories I can think of associated with each.

Journaling Retreat: How is your memory list coming along?

How is your memory list coming? 

So far, I have 10 pages total. But, I am putting an extra blank line between each item on my list to break it up so the list doesn't all run together for me. 

I am making note of this so we can note our progress--not to brag or make us feel guilty. It's meant to inspire us to create a longer list faster instead. 

Let's see how many we can list now! 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Journaling Retreat Suggestion: Memory List Making with a Loved One or Friend

Get someone else to help list memories with you. And, write them down. 

Mom and I are doing this today--and it's awesome to share this together--and what a perfect time of year to do so. 

How we are doing our memories lists is through her listing memories to me in an email and sending it to me--and me doing the same. When we see one another's memories together, it sparks more for us to list. We then email another list. 

As we send email lists  I am cutting and pasting into a Word document for my total list of all my memories. 

We are also creating a new memory doing this with one another. 

This might be something to do as a family at Christmas, by the way. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

The Remembering Your Present Journal Keeping Series

Email: storykeeper2121@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

The Storykeeper Odyssey Journaling Retreat

Journaling Retreat

This Journaling Retreat is the start of my 2013 Journaling Project: 

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013

This journaling retreat and next year for you can mean starting to get your entire life on the page. It's the start of leaving a legacy. It's the Introduction to your life. It will also be a good preparation if you want to write your memoirs one day. Your journaling entries are the first step. 

THE GOAL OF THIS JOURNALING RETREAT

The goal of the journaling retreat of 20-21 December is to get as many memories listed on the pages of our journals as possible. It can be in literal lists or however you want to do it. You can do a mind map, list, paragraph form, written on the page with no punctuation, other than bullet points or stars to set them off. You can number them or not. You can make each a different ink color. You can do each in a different font. Do whatever strikes your fancy and have fun with it. 

The goal is to get every single memory listed on the page that we can. We want to be thorough. If we take the next two days to do so, we have the potential of getting hundreds of memories listed.

We will not write more than a sentence to let us know enough to recall the memory when we return to the list later. For example:

My Golden Retriever Sunny, the log over the fence, when I was about 7 or 8. 

Or:

Visiting Mom at the hospital after her hernia operation. How old was I? Five? Ask Mom or Dad to verify.

You see, I am giving just enough information that if I do not return to the list for a year, I can still retrieve the memory and write more completely about it. This is the goal. 

WHY GET ALL OF OUR MEMORIES ON THE PAGE IN OUR JOURNALS?

The 14th of December 2012 was a good reminder to us all when there was the Shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school. We, or our loved ones, could die tomorrow. This is a hard fact, but nevertheless is quite true. Needless to say, don't we want to write all of our stories, and our stories with them, while we still can? There is no time like the present.

Also, I come from a family with dementia  Do I need to say anything more? One day, I will forget my memories... Journaling will preserve them.

And, I know someone who suffered from amnesia and forgot several years in their life. They asked their spouse to be their memory and their spouse to be their memory.

Or, what about the parent who gets run over by a bus? What would their children have to remember them by? Or, what about a sickness or a stroke? 

Or, what about for your future or unborn child? 

Or, what about wanting to remember your life--because you are proud of every year you've lived and count yourself blessed?

Or, what about wanting to remember what God has done in your life? 

These are some of the reasons why we should get it all down on the page.

WHERE DO WE START?

I am going to list some suggestions below. Do them in whatever order you want, in whatever way you want. Do each of the below as often as necessary or as you want. Just remember the goal: Get as many memories listed in your journal as possible.

* Do a SOC (Stream of Consciousness)--where you write down whatever comes to mind, the moment it comes to mind, as fast as you can. 

* List the decades of your life and go through each decade and list as many memories as you can.

* List your most powerful memories.

* List your favorite memories.

* List the life challenges you've had.

* List the successes you've had.

* List when you've come up short.

* List all the places you've lived and memories associated with each.

* List all the jobs you've had and the memories associated with each.

* Do a mind-map.

* List all the people in your life and the memories associated with each.

* Go to each room in your house. List as many objects as you can see and write the memories associated with each.

* Think of what each home you've lived in looks like and the objects found there. List the memories associated with each.

* Where have you traveled? List the memories associated with each. 

* What are your favorite songs of all-time. List them and write the memories associated with each.

* TV shows? List them and write the memories associated with each.

* Movies? List them and write the memories associated with each.

* Books? List them and write the memories associated with each.

* Authors? List them and write the memories associated with each.

* Take out old photos. Write the memories associated with each.

* What photographs are missing or were never taken? List them and write the memories associated with each.

* When did you go... to the zoo? to the museum? to other touristy, cultural places  List them and write the memories associated with each.

* List all of your pets and write the memories associated with each.

* Anything else that comes to mind. Etc. Etc. Etc. 

~ Stacy Duplease

A Journaling Retreat: Part 2: An Introduction and Planning

Journaling Retreat

Part 1 of this blog post series can be found here:

http://storykeeper2121.blogspot.com/2012/11/journaling-retreat.html

Every month, I do some type of journaling retreat between 1 and 14 days. Most of the time, I do it at home or at least go hang out somewhere else, like Starbucks or Barnes & Noble. Ideally, though, I would go to Jamestown or Yorktown and sit there and write. 

My latest journaling retreat is today and tomorrow. I, unfortunately, do not have the time to getaway and write, except maybe to Barnes & Noble. However  that's okay. Since I set up my new desk, my office is quite fresh to me and inviting. I actually would really lvoe to do my full retreat here. It's like a christening of the new desk.

NEXT JOURNALING RETREAT: 22-26 JANUARY 2013

This is the next planned journaling retreat I have on my calendar. 

SCHEDULED JOURNALING RETREATS

The other journaling retreats I have planned are:

07 February 2013

19 February

26-29 March

18-19 April

10 May

24-28 June

12 July

1-2 August

23-27 September

14-18 October

21 November

16-20 December

YOUR JOURNALING RETREAT

Even if you cannot take all day each day, would you like to join me in a journaling retreat? If you can give it at least one more hour each day than you do now, that is the start of taking a journaling retreat. Of course, the more time you can give it, the better. 

I apologize for not giving you more warning about this journaling retreat. However, I will still post blog posts as if you can take the time and join me in the retreat.

SCHEDULE THEM

I recommend getting the other journaling retreats on your calendar now so nothing else can get in the way of you taking the retreats in the future. If these dates don't work for you, you can always refer to these blog posts at a time that works better for you. 

NEXT

Stay tuned to this blog and you will get your instructions for what we're doing today for the Journaling Retreat for today and tomorrow.

~ Stacy Duplease

A 2-DAY Journaling Retreat

Thursday and Friday of this week, 20-21 December 2012, I am going to have a personal 2-day journaling retreat.

I will start to get a list of all my life stories that I want to make sure to write about and get down for permanent record.

Would you care to join me?

-- Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online)

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013 Journal: My Office

2012-12-19 15:35:42

MY OFFICE

I forgot to mention that in my office, where I do my online journaling, is my large turtle tank and there is a dog bed. The cat typically comes and goes whenever he wants and typically lounges as my feet, by the dog, or on my desk--as he watches the turtles. 

I am in the process of getting rid of some older office furniture. The old stuff is a desk with a WALL unit. A BIG wall unit. A gig, heavy, mammoth, take-up-all-sorts-of-space wall unit. So, I want to go with smaller furniture, and get rid of books, so I can use a smaller bedroom in the future--and just flat-dab have room to breathe--where I feel less suffocated. 

Over the weekend, we got my new desk--after driving 3+ hours each way to Ikea. It's 3 inches larger in length and half an inch larger in width, but it looks like it take up less room, believe it or not. One, it's a lighter color wood. Two, it isn't as bulky. Between now and July, we will get new bookshelves/cases and a large dresser and a narrow dresser--so I can have drawer space. 

Already, my office is a great deal larger. I got rid of two book cases and lots of books--and that was before my new desk. But, we moved my new desk into a different position and I have fallen in love with my office. I didn't care for my office the way it was. Don't worry, I will attach pictures to my blog soon so you can see before and after shots--before we get the rest of the new furniture., of course, I will add shots of the final product at that point in time.

I find it amazing how much fo a difference the new desk has made, let alone getting rid of the two bookcases. I feel freer to write and journal. I no longer feel like I am being strangled. Honestly, I wonder if that's why this year has been such a challenge at pints. 2012 has definitely been a year of growth. It's been a good year overall, but my writing and journaling suffered. I wonder if my office set-up was part of the reason, silly as it might sound.

The animals like the new set-up as well. The cat loves all the space on my new desk. It's configured differently and I have a lot more desk space and areas for the cat to explore. So, he approves.

Zack Beagle's dog bed is closer to me and not on the other side of the room. This is something he approves of greatly and his buzz saw snores confirm this is the case as I type this in my journal.

The turtles like the new configuration as well. why? I face them so they can see me and I can see them--if I look beyond my monitors. 

Ahh... Yes. What else is new on my desk? I have a large desk shelf, in the matching brown-gray wood, that holds my printer, cell phone booster, internet box, and stereo speaker--so all of that is off of my desk and provides more room for storage. (And for the cat to hide in and explore). 

My keyboard has its own sliding pull-out and is off my desk. So, that provides more work-space on the desk. 

I also have two new desk lights that I can adjust in any direction and get the light right where I want them to aim. 

I have two monitors for my PC on my desk at the moment. But, my husband bought me a multi-screen mount we will install this weekend so the monitors will get off my desk as well. So, that will provide even more room for me to work. (Gotta love that man!) That will give me about four-feet more of space, by the way. 

As it is, I've been able to set several books on top of my desk. They are journaling and memoir writing books. They provide inspiration, as well as all the other books I have on my Amazon Kindle Fire. 

My color theme is purple--any shade from medium to dark--including the silvery purple plum color. My curtains are purple and I have a purple skirt on one side of the buffet that the turtle tank sits on top of--and the wood of the buffet and my new desk match each other in the gray-brown Ikea color.

Needless to say, I feel freer to write and am loving it! 

2012-12-19 16:07:16

Note: I also add the date and time stamp when I need to break up my thought. It gives me a moment's pause and allows me to transition and think.

I shake my head as I think of everything I just said about my office. I had no idea I was going to write all of that. I cannot help but chuckle and shake my head. 

MY DESK

On my desk, I always have a glass of water and half the day, a mug of coffee. I also have a circle of green glass from the Jamestown Glassblower, a smaller green glass circle with the letters "AA" on it (stand for Arthur Allen, my relative from Bacon's Castle and it's the seal from his wine bottles), a mug I got at the Yorktown Battlefield, a couple of scripture plaques, and a feather pen box made of metal and is quite heavy. Oh! I also have a tea cup from Shirley Plantation and a mug from Berkeley Plantation. There are two place-mats as well to keep my desk safe from scratching and to provide some color. 

IKEA

I am an IKEA junkie. I LOVE the store. My husband and I have been to Ikea three times in five months--and it's a 3 hour drive each way. Sheesh. We are crazy, what can I say? 

What I love most about Ikea is how the furniture is made to take up little space, but be high in storage space. It's functional and durable. Hence, if you have a small space or a large one, the size of the furniture makes for room to move around and breathe. Never mind how I love the style of the furniture. 

2012-12-19 16:31:17

Again, I cannot help but shake my head. I had no idea I was going to journal that. Huh. Interesting. Where did all that come from, I wonder. 

THE PRESENT

I am trying to help you get to know me in the present so as I tell you my stories, you have a sense of who I have become and where I am headed. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Photo Credit: Stacy Duplease)

My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013 Journal: My Journaling

HOW DO I JOURNAL?

I do online (digital) journaling at Penzu (at: http://penzu.com/r/34f16257).

WHY DO I JOURNAL ONLINE OR AT PENZU?

I do online journaling for several different reasons:

1 Online journaling is permanent. It never gets lost, stolen, or damaged. 

2 Online journaling doesn't take up any shelf space in your home or on your computer.

3 You can access your journal with any internet compatible device (cell, tablet, e-reader, laptop, PC, etc.)

4 It's easy. 

5 I can download my journals in different formats if I want and can print them. 

6 I can use a search engine to find old journal entries. This is perhaps one of the most important things. If I want to look something up later, I don't have to go through old indexes and old paper journals. Nor do I have to hunt on my computer for Word files. Instead, I use the search engine on Penzu and find it quickly. This saves a lot of time and prevents a headache.

WHERE DO I JOURNAL?

I have my own office/study/library--whatever you want to call it. I typically call it the office or study and it's in the second largest bedroom in our house. 

I also journal on my sofa at night time as we watch our TV shows and movies. I put a pillow in my lap and use my Amazon Kindle Fire. 

(My Dad called and then my Mom called.) 

2012-12-19 14:59:00

Note: I re-add the time and date if there has been a lag in time between my journal entries. That's why you just saw the additional date and time stamp.

WHEN DO I JOURNAL?  

I am a morning person  so I do the bulk of my journaling in the morning when I am the freshest and can think the clearest. However, I also journal all day long and evening long. I try to steal as much time as possible to journal. I've been known to journal in the middle of the night, and last night was one of those nights  but that isn't too common. 

~ Stacy Duplease

(Image Credit: Stacy Duplease.)