Journalling Journeys

My book is finally printed! Yay!! I'm so happy and exhilarated (and a bit scared). Over two years of designing, creating, readjusting, proofreading and finalising has culminated in my book called Self Nurture Journal. I'm very proud of how it's turned out. The book bridges the gap between many self-help books (of which I have way too many - not sure if I've read them all either) and that blank journal page that I know I've stared at and felt daunted by. I mean, I know writing's good for me. Self expression is a great release, but a pristine lined page can mean I feel like I need to write like a sophisticated, articulate human super creature, rather than just writing as me. And what about those blank journals we often buy because they look pretty then we keep them on the shelf instead of using them, so they've become ornamental dust collectors!

There's this range of divinely ornate journals out at the moment, adorned with gold, and intricately embossed covers, some with quotes from classic novels on the covers, others with ancient symbols & historical designs. Very elaborate and beautiful. So, before we even get to the pages in between we are confronted with an intimidating perfection that leaves us feeling pale in comparison.

Not all of us are like this, but I have met a lot of people who are. We can spend so much time living up to the expectations we place on ourselves or think that others place on us that we lose sight of what we want or need. It's like there's a chameleon in all of us. You know, at the end of the day the pages in between these fancy journals are just simple, white, lined sheets.

So, here's the front cover of my book:

I've done the illustrations myself, with the tree on the front being very poignant - it's self-nurturing! My book has been made to be accessible - by this I mean I've kept it in a format that's not too daunting and that invites people to explore themselves and life's issues that challenge them. I've included prompts and inspiration on the writing pages so people can feel like they're being asked kind and caring questions by a personal friend who will listen attentively, never judge, and will let the writer express her or himself freely. I've even had the copies of my book spiral bound so it sits flat, is easier for left and right handers, and the pages can be folded behind to make it easier to draw or write. I'd love people to use the book to learn to journal, to find some value in journalling, and to see value in taking the time to journal regularly.

This book's been created with a lot of love and understanding of human frailty, so I hope it can help others. I've done a lot of informal research to keep the book as grounded and accessible as I can, with the prompts being open to your personal interpretation - you make of them what you wish.

So, there you have it. My book is born in all it's simplicity and openness. Yay!! :P

Dayle