I have an obsession with notebooks. I can’t explain what it is, but whenever I walk into a Barnes and Noble or Staples, the notebook section draws me to it like a magnet and it is rare that I escape the store without purchasing one. I have used these notebooks for many things – food diaries, personal diaries, scrapbooks, addresses – you name it, I probably have a notebook for it somewhere. Just yesterday, my husband laughed at me because I pulled three notebooks out of my handbag when we were sitting at dinner. The best use I have found for my notebooks is creating an Inspiration Journal (IJ) with it.
An Inspiration Journal is a book in which you jot down or paste pictures of anything that inspires you. From quotes that strike a chord in your heart to photos that make you feel happy inside, keeping everything in one place creates a great tool for reference when the going gets tough, or even if you simply want some motivation to set your intention for the day ahead. I keep my journal with me at all times, because you never know when you will hear or read something brilliant, and no matter how much you love it, it is easy to forget if you do not write it down immediately.
An IJ should become your “happy place” somewhere you can turn to at all times for a little pick-me-up, a smile, or the perfect quote to get you through your current situation. To make one, simply get a notebook in a style you love (they can cost anywhere from $1.00 to $100.00, depending on how fancy you want to go) and start carrying it with you. Make sure to carry it around with you along with a pen, and write down quotes and saying your hear or moments that make you smile. Flipping through magazines, tear out photos of people and places that inspire you.
Creating an IJ like this is a great way to recognize what inspires you and what direction you want to strive towards. You’ll undoubtedly see a pattern in the content of your journal, and having it laid out in front of you can serve as a map to work towards your ultimate goals.
