Claudia deliberates on the purpose of her daily blogging as desiring connection, perfecting writing, and sustaining an authentic routine. She then distinguishes journaling as a more mindful, important, nd private domain for spiritual growth, offering suggestions on why you should journal and helps you better understand the different types of journal options available to you.

asking why before the sunrise

It is 5h30.

I have wasted 30 minutes of writing. Between the irritation of Spring allergies (ears, throat, and nose are so itchy today – any other sufferers out there?), the internet being down, glances to the monitor, checking my phone when I usually do not first thing in the morning, and WordPress which is clearly under maintenance and failing to open, time has been lost. 

I am at a weird precipice in my journaling/blogging where I wonder: is this time wasted? Are these being read, and if so, are they of any importance? Or am I just being too vulnerable and open and not offering something of ultimate value to those who read? Has this become a useless diary rather than a place of connection? Should I be writing to respond to people’s needs, or will that remove the impact of this writing for me? This blogging is not a part of a funnel, so should I be catering my writing in a way that results in more business that is driven to my healing services? How does knowing about me and my thoughts become relatable? 

Yes, Little Stories of Your Life stated that everyone has a story to share, everyone’s voice is valid, and there will be people who want to know your story. And technically, I know I’m not writing for others when I blog: I’m writing for my spirit. This is a necessary piece of my spiritual puzzle. But could it just as easily be done in a notebook rather than online? If it’s for me, does it need to be blogged? I have so many notebooks, so many more literally on the way to me, and could this process just be done in a notebook instead of in this space? Would that be even more beneficial for my spirit? 

I also know that sometimes I am sharing items that are valuable to other awakened mamas, that are meant to trigger insightful reflection, and that are meant to drive discernment. So I don’t want those pieces to be lost in a notebook rather than in a space accessible to the Collective. 

Ultimately, healing is my path and purpose and I do want this space to be one that offers that – not just for me and my release, but for others. And I do want people to feel a pull to my services because that is a much better way where I can make healing happen. Does this blog achieve that? Is the purpose met? Or should I be saving this space just for writing that is truly beneficial to the Collective and leave my free-musings for pages on paper?

My husband poured me a coffee and said, “Go ahead, I’ll manager here: get to work.” This isn’t work. It doesn’t add grace to our home through the raising of our child, it doesn’t bring money to the table (as it doesn’t result in organic leads to my spiritual business – yet), and it’s not focused on business expansion or my own personal development as a content writer for others (I’m not applying for more work, I’m not looking at job postings, etc.). Soul-expansion never feels like work to me, and yet today I am feeling guilty about it being exactly not that: work. 

It is now 5h45 and my son is beginning to move on the monitor. 45 minutes spent lamenting this space. 45 minutes that could have been dedicated to intense writing – perhaps to the development of my poetry book I’m working on. And it’s worth noting that I am not in a negative mood as I write all this. I just feel like it’s necessary to be open about where my head is at this morning. I am, in fact, feeling very spiritually aware and in-tune this morning, and I have immense gratitude to the Universe for letting my little finally sleep in so I could enjoy this time. But, I am being honest about my thoughts about this space. And I am stuck in that weird headspace of: is this writing for me or is this writing for others? If it is both, how do I find a balance that ultimately leads to the purpose of it: healing? And if it is primarily for me, should it be reserved for a physical notebook? And if it is primarily for others, should it note be better catered to the Collective and serving their needs? 

I am really looking forward to today – there is a Salon de Les Livres in Geneva (that’s a book expo!) – and I excitedly placed an Amazon Japan order last night which arrives next week (can’t wait to show you what I’ve purchased for journaling!), and despite my allergies, my mood is high, but I do want to answer this question: why am I blogging every day, really?

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why i blog and why it matters (to me – and the Collective)

As I held R’s hand while he fell asleep for the nap that he requested, I, too, closed my eyes and drifted off for a moment. I even contemplated staying there for the whole nap, holding his hand, and getting some rest.

I hate naps — I find them to be a waste of time and I also find I’m far more groggy after one. But in that moment, his gentle breathing and his tiny snore brought me off for just about ten minutes or so. I knew I had fallen asleep because nonsensical things entered my mind. I wiggled my hand free and slipped down the stairs, finally discovering which one on the flight makes the loudest noise underfoot. I marked it with washi tape. I brewed a peppermint tea. And now, sitting at my little desk in the living room, I shift items around upon it to make space for inspiration, however it may arrive, and I open my laptop and write.

To answer my own question, why am I blogging every day, really?
– I desire connection with others and relatable musings outside of social media
– I want a space to share while simultaneously not being exhausted by the space in which I share
– I want to avoid scrolling but still want to contribute meaningful to the collective with my thoughts
– I am a writer and it is immensely important that I perfect my craft and work on it, daily
– I am a writer and it is immensely important that I share the writing I do with others in a way that is sustainable and authentic, and doesn’t require people contributing with their wallets
– It is truly soul-fulfilling to sit and write, and it has become an important routine in my life

Side note: Speaking of the importance of this routine, I believe tomorrow will be the first day where my routine is broken. We have a residency card meeting at a location that is 1h30 from home. We need to be there at around 8h15 (even with an early rise, there is no time to write because I need to get baby up with us), and R’s nap will likely be made in the car on the drive home after the appointment. That session is surely lost, and I’m well aware of how useless my evening writing is. I will make a post to make a post, but I have no hope for tomorrow.

There is a lot to that answer and I’ve asked AI to summarize it into a single sentence for me.

Blogging daily serves my desire for meaningful connection, allows me to share authentically without social media exhaustion, contributes to perfecting my writing craft, and fulfills my soul through a sustainable and authentic routine.

Essentially, blogging gives me a sense of purpose. Journaling contributes to self-betterment but it doesn’t result in something that is shared outside of me, and therefore does not contribute to my purpose on a wider scale, but it feels essential to my legacy and identity.

I am inspired by this space I’ve made, and I do hope it inspires others in the process. Perhaps there is a way I can meld my joys, passions, and personal inspiration into something meaningful for all who stumble upon this blog. Maybe I can think a little deeper about the mundane I am sharing and expand upon it in a more tangible and beneficial way for the Collective. I have immediately thought of a way to start this.

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what kind of journals are there and why should I start one?

Since this seems to be my latest obsessive passion as of late, and since I just invested in even more journals and corresponding products, perhaps this will be a helpful subsection for mothers (and non-mothers) looking to begin their journaling journey (say that ten times fast).

why should I journal?

A journal differs from blogging primarily because: a. it is a new format and awakens different parts of your brain, doesn’t cause eye-fatigue like a laptop does, and offers a more private domain for creative expansion, and b. it is a more accurate memory keeper which cannot be lost into the web-abyss like all else.

Putting pen-to-paper is a mindful and meditative practice. It is comparable to diving into oneself through meditation and offers the same inner peace if (and this is important) it is practiced as a stream-of-consciousness and without perfectionist thought.

A journal, rather than a blog, provides a more personal and private account of the evolution of your spiritual path and growth and betterment as a mother, and serves as a placeholder for all the pieces of your life-experience that otherwise wouldn’t matter to anyone other than your child, as they age and reflect on the life they lived with you (like tickets, special photographs, and receipts). It is a reservoir that is infinitely accessible, even after you pass or a website stops having a host or being fully functional (goodbye to all my LiveJournal entries as a child, for example), and it’s one that is likely to be passed onto existing generations, much like we do the letters and diaries of our grandparents.

Time will not have us passing on the social media or website links of those we love; tangible, hand-written, touched, and loved items are those we will see long outlive us.

what kind of journaling options do I have?

The list is endless, and you may end up merging a few ideas into one, discovering your own journal process that works best for you, your spirit, and your schedule. However, here are a few ideas to kickstart you:

• Gratitude or Affirmation Journaling – This is the kind of journaling you do first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, depending which of the two you choose. Affirmation journaling means you state your intentions and set the energy for your day. Gratitude journaling means that you take effort to notice your graces during your day, and you thank the Universe. You only need one or two lines to journal effectively with either of these methods!
  
• Dream Journaling – Record your dreams as soon as you wake up, and research into their meaning.
  
• Personal or Reflective Journaling – This is stream-of-consciousness writing that is focused on unloading and destressing through dumping on the pages. Like a diary, but with the mindful intent to bring about healing through the release.
  
• Bullet Journaling – Great for the organized list-lovers, this helps you keep track of everything in your life.
  
• Art or Creative Journaling – A combination of the written word and creative expression, with absolutely no rules or boundaries. Collage, draw, paint, and write alongside it.
  
• Junk Journaling – A place to paste all the things you collect through life and want to keep memories of.
  
• Travel Journaling – Like a junk journal but combined with a documentation of your travel experiences and personal growth through your family adventures.
  
• Reading Journal – A place to keep personal reviews and reflections on the book you are reading or have completed, including favourite quotes.
  
• Wellness Journal – Have personal fitness or wellness goals? Write about the journey in a wellness journal.
  
• Manifestation Journaling – Like a vision board in a book; write your dreams and goals and the actions you’ll take to attain them, paste photos that help your visualization, and keep track of the positivity in your life.
  
• Spiritual Journaling – Whether you read the bible or pull oracle cards, tracking your spiritual journal in a private space allows you to better connect with yourself and reflect on your sacred growth.
  
• Business Journaling – Run a little business? Or maybe you’re an aspiring content creator? Plan your content, marketing, services, or products in a work-focused journal.
  
• Planner – This is different than a journal, but it’s where you put your agenda for the week or month ahead. Better yet, include space for a one-sentence reflection at the end of each and every day to turn your planner into a proper journal.
  
• Throw in the Bag Journaling – This is the name I give to the little journal that gets tossed in your bag and you pull out whenever the moment arises. It’s much better to pull out this baby than to scroll mindlessly on social media.

Some people, like myself, have multiple journals that they use for various reasons. Some are filled every day, some are filled weekly, some are filled monthly, some have no rules or plans. Having multiple journals is called a Journal System. Mine currently includes a creative junk journal, an affirmations journal, and will soon include a reflective journal and a new throw in the bag journal (coming from Japan). Find what system works for you, even if it’s only one journal that combines everything, and give it a try.

I can guarantee that a journal will become a treasured piece of your identity to your children, while your social media will likely make them cringe, and a blog could easily disappear into the web-abyss twenty years down the road.

I guess the next crucial step that you should know is how to choose the right journal… I think I’ll save that for tomorrow, as this is where I part; I have a beautiful afternoon at the Book Expo to plan for (I’ll share more about it tomorrow, as well).

xx C

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I am learning, everyday, about who my son is and what he has to teach me in life. It is an ongoing education and a privilege.