I've been exposed with such a tremendous amount of stress this past few months. From personal, health, work and family life. Though we tried to take time to rest or relax in the month of June to celebrate special occasions. Trials came in after a month and it came one after another. It had kept on bombarding me/us that I felt it was almost never ending. It was all unexpected and overwhelming not only for myself but for the people around me. But while I am writing this now, believe it or not, still I am thankful. Why? because it taught us a lot of things. Now, to be able to sit down, take a moment and look back of what has transpired few months ago. I feel relived to have witnessed God's miracles to us. I feel grateful for all the blessings. To be able to survived the whole experience altogether and come out triumphant. Truly, God is Good All the TIME!
After every storm, the biggest challenge we face is on how we can get back on your feet again. In a physical level, we can just try to get much sleep as much as our body and mind needs it. To be able to regain it's strength and functionality. Spiritually, we have to have faith, hold on to it and believe sincerely that all these shall pass. Emotionally, we find ways to make our heart at peace and be happy even for awhile. We seek for the stimulant, to bring our brains to functions clearly and keep our sanity.
One night, I accidentally came across Amanda Rach Lee's Youtube channel. I clicked on the play button for her "Plan with me", August bullet journal set up. I was so down and dead tired that night, over fatigue maybe. But the watching it I suddenly get excited again! Her entry was so inspiring that it made me think "first day in the morning" i need to have my supplies and begin journaling again. Getting back to my first love is such an overwhelming idea but I knew it will help me cope up.
And now I am happy to share with you the first few spreads I have in my journal. It feels amazing to be back and able to learn new things along the way. Other's starts journaling in January, I started mine in September.... because to be honest, I feel (it's only now) it's the best time to say that life just keeps getting better :) and I am praying that it will continue to be like that as time goes by.
So here is my September Bullet Journal. (P.S please bear with my doodles and lettering. I know I need more practice hehehe).
The light bulb and the color I chose pretty much represents what I am rooting for September. Light bulb (metaphorically) symbolizes bright idea, thanks to Sir Thomas Edison. And I believe getting back into journaling this time of the year is also a good idea. I never made any goals or resolution lists at the beginning of 2018 (Blog entry: Goals for 2018). However, I realized that it doesn't help me in so many ways (so much for trying to be easy going). Unforeseen events and trials caught me at the second quarter and I was not prepared for it. I learned my lesson in the hard way so changes are necessary.
On the next page I put the word "Awakening". The word sums up the experiences and life lessons I personally learned from all that I have been through particularly in the months of April to August. It took a lot of courage and leap to finally decide to accept and let go. I was in denial most of the time trying to convince myself that I can keep everything in my hands even when I know that chances are impossible. It took me awhile to be awake and be accepting. The experiences we had clearly opened our eyes about realities and of our shortcomings. I want that realization be the trigger for me to focus on what matters most this month onward.
My journal contains doodles of lamps and light bulbs. It represents my personal feelings towards certain goals, accomplishment and ideas. Of what I am hoping/praying to achieve for this month.
I prefer using oranges and yellow markers for this spread as it symbolizes enthusiasm, warmth, creativity, encouragement and VITALITY. Ironically the colors of the lights captures the energy that I wish to bring in my life right now.
We're on the second week of the month and so far I have learned a lot of things while journaling. I love how I got to express my feelings through my doodles and color choices. I love to get inspired and be interested into calligraphy, slowly getting a hang of it. Sudden changes has been made even in my journal's format like this one and instead of feeling blah and discourage... changes somehow excites me.
My journal serves as my stress reliever, for a week now. It also allows my brains to breathe once in a while and just be myself before the day ends. It helped me to get back in track as well. The gratitude log and other habit trackers constantly changes my attitude. At least I have something to remind myself everyday to see the brighter side of life by simply recording my day to day activities/ memories.
That's it for now. I still got a lot of practicing and doodling to do eh! :)
So have a great weekend y'all! God bless.