Sun Kissed Pages
Time to rest, reflect, renew
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Dear Friend
Aww wow it's a belter of a sunny day here in South Wales, how is it for you? Are you ready for a day of rest? Hmmm, not so much?
What happened to lazy Sundays eh?
It seems what once used to be a sacred time, is now consumed by digital noise, errand marathons or the mere shadow of a looming Monday.
That’s why I love to host Sunday WORDship, a weekly ritual that reclaims this day as a sanctuary - not through dictated stillness, but through the gentle empowering act of journaling. Here in the soft hours of a Sunday, you’re invited to trade external chatter for internal whispers, I’d like to encourage you to let your thoughts loose onto the page, just like flowers turn to meet the morning sun.
Do not fret, Sunday WORD:ship isn’t about perfecting prose or racing through the prompts I curate. There are no red pens here, no judgement, no requirements to share. This is a safe space where your words, like seedlings, are cherished simply for having the courage to emerge.
Why Sunday?
Why journaling?
Well, in a world that often dismisses reflection as “navel gazing” and equates busyness to worth, these tiny acts of journaling can be quite revolutionary. When was the last time you paused for thought? When did you last dare to daydream? When did you lay on the grass and cloud bust? To “go slow”, to ponder, to journal, to put pen to paper - this isn’t indulgence. I’m giving you the permission to dedicate some time for what I call essential maintenance for your soul. Like plants need sunlight to convert nutrients, we need contemplative moments to transform our raw experiences into personal growth and preferably on a daily basis.
In my humble opinion, journaling on a Sunday is a beautiful selfless activity. Your journal should become a place to process the week that was, releasing what no longer serves you. I love to highlight what made me smile, what made me cry and what made me jump for joy. As a 49’er, my brain fog is messing with my memory bank, so hallelujah for my journal. I spent an hour before bed last night, reading through my journal as I start a new one today. I always surprise myself with what stories unfold across six whole months. My goodness there was a lot of chitter chatter throughout the 200 pages of my journal, “better out than in” my father used to say, sometimes all I managed was a one word a day, which is fine, it meant I actually took the time to sit still, away from my phone, far removed from the noise, to allow myself to write just one little word.
Wherever this Sunday finds you, perhaps like me in a sunlit kitchen, maybe you’re about to take the first sip of coffee or tea in your favourite cafe, or you’ve found a quiet park bench - I invite you to join me. Below are some “Sunshine State of Mind” prompts to help guide you to journal for a couple of minutes. Use one, use them all, or let them simply spark your luminous thoughts.
1. List 5 things that energise you, that make you feel “sun-charged”. Now look deeper. What do these activities have in common, and what does this reveal about your core needs.
2. Sit somewhere you can see the sky. As light gradually fills the space, write about something in your life that’s similarly emerging, what lights you up?
3. Plants instinctively turn towards the sun. What values, dreams or people does your heart naturally orient towards? Who makes you smile and why?
4. Imagine your day as a sundial. Instead of hours, each segment represents a person, task or choice. Which areas receive most of your light?
5. List moments of joy, courage or kindness from your week. Which memories will you cherish going forward into a new week?
Remember as you use these prompts, there is no such thing as “writing wrong”. Some days your words might flow, other times they may feel like chiseling ice. Both as valid and both hold value.
If you are intrigued by how therapeutic journaling has changed my life and many other women I've worked with, don’t hesitate to reach out. If you’d like to learn how to channel your emotions into something more positive and creative you’re in the right space! Paid subscribers get free access to my weekly “Journal with Ease” workshops, 45 minutes of guided journaling every Thursday at 1pm via zoom.
Hopefully the stars will align and I’ll get to meet you next week. In the meantime, happy journaling dear friend.
Take care and stay safe xx
What’s On 'with ease'
Creative Unblocking Weekend Retreat with Ease & Emma Gannon - only 1 bedroom left available. 16th-18th November 2024
Rage on a Page - next series now open for bookings, I’m looking to work with 4 women and there are 3 spaces left available. September 2024
Doing Hard Things with ease & Stacey Heale - SOLD OUT but there is a waiting list for the next retreat. Plus there is a bursary place for one lucky guest.
Digital Detox Weekend Retreat - coming soon October 2024 in a gorgeous beach house near Pembrokeshire. Join me to learn how to take back control on the amount of time you spend on your device, find new ways to entertain yourself, embrace more positive daily activities and generally feel more upbeat and happier.
Happy Sunday Journalling from another ‘49-er who started a new journal this morning!