Use your journal to unwind through the busyness of life

I don't know about you, but there are weeks I am so busy I barely can remember my own name, let alone get everything done that needs to get done, never mind want to get done.

These are the times I know I need a break. Period. But, hah! These are the times I cannot have a break for maybe weeks to months. Sigh.

Have you ever been there?

It seems like life takes over and you are trying to go along for the ride, but you've lost the grip of one hand and are trying to hold on with the other--as you go for the ride.

These are the times that journaling would be a nice reprieve  but I barely have time to breathe, let alone journal... Or so I think.

So, how can I unwind and hold on to some of my sanity through these moments? How can I let things go for a few minutes so I can?

1 I try to steal time to journal a sentence here and there throughout my day.

2 I make sure to journal a paragraph before I even get out of bed in the morning and a paragraph before I go to sleep. I want to start my day off with something that I can control and it helps me prepare for my day. Then, I end it with journaling, no matter how late it is or how tired I am--and I sleep better because I let things go. I put them in my journal. I free my mind so I can sleep and not dwell on things.

I am always amazed by doing this journaling helps me get through the busy times with my sanity still intact and I feel much better because of it.

Now, it's your turn. Try it.

What are your thoughts?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Are you too busy? Journaling Saves Time

Are you too busy?

Do you have at least an hour a day Monday-Friday, and at least two hours per day on the weekends, of free time?

If not, you are TOO busy.

Do you journal at least an hour a day--and have an hour to two of free time--through stealing time? Try it. It works. I've mentioned it before, but we each have lots of down time in our day--where we are waiting and can journal.

I guarantee if you journal at least an hour a day, you will have MORE free time and will be less busy. Do you want to know why? Your journaling puts your proprieties in order and you start to do what you do in a more productive way. It saves time. Think I'm crazy? Try it for 90 days and get back to me. You'll see what I mean.

Steal some journaling time: when you are on hold, while waiting in a line, while cooking, while waiting for appointments, on break, in the restroom, in the car driving, while exercising, etc. I'm talking journal with a pen or computer--or an audio tape, ion case you were wondering.

Journal more and save time. Trust me. It works. And, you'll be less stressed and anxious, less tired, and will feel more purposeful as well.

How can you beat that?

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Slow Down

It's the weekend. Finally. I cannot help but think about how busy our lives are nowadays. Why do we think that a busy schedule gives us worth and validates our existence? How silly is that? We're worn-out, stressed to the core, weary, and tired. Yet, we still push ourselves. We have to do it all. We refuse to rest.

How different our lives would be if we stopped to smell the daisies, tiptoed through the tulips, and sat on our patio to enjoy the fruits of Spring. Make it your priority to SLOW DOWN your schedule so that you can actually enjoy life for a bit. So, you don't die an earlier death. So, you can be more fulfilled and happy.

Slow down. Curl up with your pet, a cup of coffee or tea, and a book (or maybe blogs like this). Journal maybe for a while. But, stop. Halt. Rest. You don't have to be busy. Enjoy the blessing of the life you've been given it and don't squander it with busyness.

Rest for a while. It's okay.

(For the record, this is as much for me as it for any of you.)

Enjoy your weekend.