Writing to breathe: Journaling as a compass
There are nights when your head feels like a drawer that won’t close. ideas, worries, shopping lists, memories that keep coming back. you pick up a pen, open your notebook — and suddenly, there’s air. writing is that: opening a window from the inside.
You don’t need to be a “writer.” you just need to show up. one page, five minutes, whatever fits. journaling isn’t about literature. it’s about presence. it’s a quiet coffee with yourself, free of guilt.
What changes when you write
Things settle. words on paper take up less space in your mind. the knot might still be there — but now you can see it, and when you see it, you can start to untangle it.
You listen without noise. the notebook doesn’t interrupt, doesn’t judge, doesn’t rush. it’s you saying, “i’m here.”
Creativity wakes up. when you write without filters, sparks appear: an idea for a project, a memory for a story, a simple solution you were overcomplicating.
You leave traces. reading back a month from now, you’ll notice how much you’ve survived, what’s shifted, what’s grown. and that changes how you walk into the next day.
How to start (even when you don’t know where)
Keep it simple. choose a moment — morning with tea, late afternoon, before bed — and make it a ritual: open your notebook, put down your phone, take a deep breath.
if you need a spark:
- “today, my body feels…”
- “what am i avoiding saying to myself?”
- “three things i want to keep from this day”
- “if i trusted myself more, i would…”
Write fast, without fixing the sentences. the page can hold it all. later, if you want, underline one phrase that moved you. it’s your small compass for tomorrow.
When you don’t feel like writing
Write that. “i don’t feel like it.” describe the not-feeling-like-it. the weight on your eyelids. the urge to escape. two lines. close it. done. that counts. what matters isn’t perfection — it’s showing up for yourself.
The right notebook is the one you want to open
Some notebooks ask for confessions; others for maps and lists. some are smooth as a road; others lined to hold your thoughts steady. choose the one that makes you want to return. that’s half the journey.
At Story Owl, we like to think of notebooks as little houses made of words. you walk in, hang your coat, light a lamp. stay for a while. when you leave, the world is the same — but you’re a little more yourself.
If it feels like time to start (or start again), come visit us. explore the journals, touch the paper, find the texture that calls to you. then sit down, breathe, write. one page at a time.
Join us for a Creative Journaling Workshop here at Story Owl!
Join us for our Creative Journaling Workshop — Friday, 17 October, at Story Owl. A cosy, hands-on gathering with gentle prompts, breath-and-ink rituals, and unhurried time to write in community. Whether you’re beginning or beginning again, you’ll leave with a simple practice you can keep. Bring your favourite notebook; we’ll bring the tea, soft lamps, and quiet. Limited spots — reserve yours in advance here.
Catarina + Journaling = a love affair and a workshop
