Creating Space and Learning New Journalling Techniques

Where on earth have January and February gone?

The start of the year has flown by, but it’s been a time that has delivered opportunities in abundance and many learnings.

Everything Happens for a Reason

I’d like to apologise for not sending you a newsletter over the last few weeks. My house is on the market, and as it’s now empty, I’ve had a chance to go through every room with a critical eye, sprucing up its nooks and crannies. I’ve been sanding, filling, and painting, and although it’s been enjoyable, it’s also been time-consuming – so much so that work has stacked up, and I haven’t had the space to pen my thoughts.

At the start of February, I realised that everything really does happen for a reason, and here’s why: last year, one of my monthly retainer clients announced her retirement. A bit of a blow from an income point of view for me, but it was 100 per cent the right decision for her circumstances, and I’m thrilled for her next adventure.

What this news enabled was the creation of more space for me to focus on redecorating my house to look its best for prospective owners. If I’m honest, I’m sad about selling the house even though I’ve not lived there for over two years. It has wonderful energy and provided a safe haven for me after I split from a relationship and rebuilt my life after thirteen years. But we all must move on and not dwell.

Journal Prompts

• What areas of your life feel cluttered - physically, mentally, or emotionally?
• How does creating physical space in your environment affect your mental clarity?
• What would you like to make more space for in your life right now?
• What could you let go of to create the space you need?
• When you think of 'space', what emotions or sensations arise?

Five Things That Have Brought Joy

The past month has seen me venture back into the world of business networking. It’s an activity I frequented a lot before my Master’s and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed building new connections and meeting a few faces of old.

1. Spending two hours in a room of creatives, learning about funding, collaboration and learning opportunities at Creative Moorlands
2. Meeting an old friend for a coffee and putting the world to rights for a couple of hours
3. Savouring pikelets for breakfast – I’ve not had them for years and they recalled childhood memories
4. A new computer and a screensaver refresh: I have one with crashing ocean waves and one panning a forest
5. Attending a high-octane Social Media Monetisation event, learning new strategies and making like-minded connections

Writing for Wellbeing

I’m pleased to announce that I’m halfway through studying Kathleen (Kay) Adams’s Journal to the Self Instructor Certification Training Programme through the Center for Journal Therapy. Kay is seminal in modern writing therapies, and I’m honoured to have been accepted on the training.

This course has deepened my knowledge of journalling facilitation, and I will soon be launching a twelve-week 'Journal to the Self' journal programme that introduces participants to eighteen techniques with guidance and coaching. If you're interested in learning more, please respond to this email.

Nature Connection

I’ve not been getting my fill of nature’s benefits, or at least not as much as I would like. To help my own wellbeing by slowing down and getting into nature, I will be relaunching the Wild Writing walkshops in April, so watch this space.

Announcing a New Seven-part Journalling Podcast Series

Ecstatic doesn’t fully describe how I feel about my new mini podcast series on journalling. Seven conversations with six experts in the journalling and personal development space.

The series launched yesterday with journalling coach, Oliver Mann, founder of Unleash Your Ink and the Men Who Write community and co-founder of the Barcelona Journaling Festival.

• Drops on 1 March – Marusha Mozolevskaya, journalling guide, intuitive book writing mentor, founder of the Girls Who Write platform and co-founder of the Barcelona Journaling Festival

• Drops on 8 March – Emelie Hill Dittmer, author, therapeutic writing teacher, certified ‘Write Your Self’ instructor and council member of the International Association of Journal Writing

• Drops on 15 March and 22 March – Jackee Holder, writer, coach, nature enthusiast and Psychologies Magazine columnist whose work bridges the gap between storytelling, self-reflection, and the healing power of the natural world

• Drops on 29 March – Dr Megan C Hayes, researcher, writer, mentor, creator of Positive Journal and founder of The Joyful School of Writing

• Drops on 5 April – Kay Adams, licensed psychotherapist, founder of The Center for Journal Therapy, Therapeutic Writing Institute and Journalversity platform, author of 14 books on writing and healing, including the New York best-seller Journal to the Self

If you've ever felt stuck and unsure of what truly brings you joy or how to move forward, then these writing and journalling pioneers will help you create a life you'll love through words.

Click here to listen, and please bookmark the link and share it with anyone you think could benefit from building a better relationship with themselves.

Observe, Explore, Reflect

The first chapter of 2025 has drawn to a close – how was it for you?

A month's end offers time to pause and reflect on the challenges encountered and the moments celebrated.

A journal offers a safe, supportive space to explore the situations that brought you joy and identify growth areas.

Journal Prompts

Consider what went well during January.

• Personal wins
• Professional achievements
• Unexpected moments of joy
• Learnings and ideas

What areas for growth have you identified based on:

• Challenges encountered
• Skills you want to develop
• Habits you'd like to adjust

How are your goals progressing?

• Which goals are on track?
• What needs recalibration?
• What support do you need?
• What opportunities have presented themselves?

Challenge: Share your BIGGEST opportunity of 2025 so far by replying to this email.

Recommendations

Here are two books that have caught my attention this month. Both offer unique perspectives on how stories and literature can support our personal growth and wellbeing.

• 'Enchantment: Reawakening Wonder in an Exhausted Age' by Katherine May
• 'Bibliotherapy: Books to Guide you Through Every Chapter of Life' by Holly Masters

Until next time, keep progressing your goals and manifesting your dreams.

Love & energy

Anna

P.S. If you know anyone who wants to get to know themselves better and gain the most from life, please share this with them.

NOTEBOOKS

View the selection of quality glossy hardback notebooks to begin or continue your writing journey in 2025.

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