#and there’s journaling and writing and creating

[glowettee]

✧・゜: ✧how i journal during summer + my favorite prompts for reflection :・゜✧:・゜✧

hey lovelies!

i don't know about you, but something about summer makes me want to journal more than any other season. maybe it's the slower mornings with golden light streaming through my window, or maybe it's just having extra time to sit with my thoughts. either way, summer journaling hits different, and i wanted to share how i approach it in case any of you are looking to start or refresh your practice!

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ my summer journaling ritual ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

first things first - location is everything. in winter i'm all about journaling under blankets, but summer journaling deserves special spots. lately i've been taking my journal to this little corner of the park near my house right as the sun starts to set. something about the pink-orange sky and the slight evening breeze makes the words flow so much easier. if you can find an outdoor spot that feels safe and peaceful, i highly recommend it!

i also created a little portable journaling kit that i'm slightly obsessed with. it's just a small pouch with my favorite pens (the muji 0.38mm in black is literally perfect), some washi tape, and a tiny watercolor set. having this ready to grab means i'm way more likely to actually journal instead of just thinking about journaling (which, let's be honest, i've spent plenty of time doing too).

the other thing that's changed my summer journaling game is letting go of the pressure to write every single day. instead, i aim for 3-4 times a week, whenever it feels right. some entries are three pages long, others are just a few lines and maybe a tiny sketch of something i saw that day. giving myself permission to be inconsistent has somehow made me more consistent? the paradox of it all!

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ my favorite summer reflection prompts ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

whenever i sit down to journal and feel stuck (happens to the best of us!), these are the prompts i turn to:

what sensory experiences am i enjoying most this summer? (the taste of fresh berries, the feeling of warm sand, etc.)

what's something small that brought me joy today that i might have missed if i wasn't paying attention?

how is the current season reflecting my inner world right now?

if this summer had a color palette, what would it be and why?

what am i learning about myself during this season that surprises me?

what am i letting go of this summer? what am i welcoming in?

if i could bottle up one moment from today to revisit in winter, what would it be?

how is my body feeling in this season? what is it asking for?

what's a tiny adventure i could plan for myself this week?

what patterns am i noticing in my thoughts lately?

i find that summer is perfect for these kinds of reflective questions because there's something about the season that naturally puts me in a more observant state. i notice the way shadows fall, how ice cream tastes more intense, how time seems to stretch and contract in the heat.

⋆.ೃ࿔:･ my actual journaling process ･:࿔ೃ.⋆

confession: i'm not one of those people with gorgeous, perfectly decorated journal pages. mine is messy and real - crossed out words, coffee stains, and all. i usually start by just word-vomiting whatever's on my mind for about 5 minutes. no filter, no judgment. this clears my mental cache enough to then move into more intentional reflection.

sometimes i'll press flowers or leaves between the pages (summer gives us so many pretty options!). other times i'll tape in a receipt from a special day or a tiny polaroid. these little artifacts become so precious to look back on when winter rolls around.

i've also started ending each entry with three things i'm grateful for from that day. it's simple but it completely shifts my perspective, especially on harder days when journaling becomes more of a venting session (we all need those sometimes!).

if you've been wanting to start journaling but feel intimidated, summer is honestly the perfect time to begin. there's no right way to do it - your journal is yours alone. it doesn't have to be pretty or profound. it just has to exist. feel free to use my personal prompts from above!

plus here a video on youtube i've been using to help me journal, it's beautiful music + wave sounds in the background: right here

do any of you keep journals? i'd love to hear how you approach it!

xoxo, mindy 🤍

[dandelion-decay]

Ideas to make your system members feel safer!

Sometimes healing starts with small, quiet gestures. Here are some things that helped us feel safer inside and out:

🖍️ Make a collage of images and words that feel safe.

💌 Write comforting letters to your headmates. Encourage them to write back!

💗 Create a list of grounding tools and affirmations. Keep it somewhere where everyone can find when it's needed!

🧸 Offer external comfort objects like a soft blanket, a bracelet, or toy.

🔒 Create a “grounding box" with items that engage the senses. For example, you can use photos for sight, perfume for smell, candy for taste, and fidget toys for touch.

🛏️ Design safe areas in your innerworld where anyone can rest, hide, or heal.

🎁 Let headmates have something they can call their own, like a a journal.

🕯️ Visualize something protecting your innerworld. It can be anything: a magic barrier, a tall tree, a dragon, a glowing rune.

🎧 Make a playlist of soothing sounds or songs. Let others know it’s okay to listen.

🐚 Speak kindly inside, even if you’re frustrated. It sets the tone. It shows you’re trying.

[samguayart]

Hey! I have a Kickstarter going right now for Green & Gather, a tarot journaling zine about the seasons of creativity.

Green & Gather originated as the year turned to 2024. At the beginning of each year I delve into introspective writing, and that year I decided I wanted to find a way to share it with others. This collection combines journaling and tarot to explore beginnings, inspiration, and connection with your inner voice.

These tarot spreads were born from struggling to understand the burnout I was dealing with and finding a path back to creating art that I felt deeply connected to. Unfortunately, I’ve had so many friends over the past few years finding themselves burnt out and struggling with art, and I imagine there are many out there navigating these challenges as well. I hope this exploration brings insight into your own creative process and what you truly desire to make.

Green & Gather measures 5 x 7” and includes: • 4 tarot spreads inspired by nature and focused on creativity • 2 interludes musing on the creative process • 1 art prompt • Decorative borders and spot illustrations (no AI! Made by me, the artist!)

The four tarot spreads include:

• The Acorn, a spread about beginnings and newness • Green & Gather, a spread about inspiration and motivation • Winter Stars, a spread about creative block and burnout • Oak Song, a spread about finding your voice

[tlbodine]

T.L. Bodine's Zine Club

Wouldn't it be cool to have something to look forward to in the mail every month?

I thought so, too.

We're living in a world that is increasingly trying to replace human labor, human art, even human thought. And as everything around us becomes more and more inundated with AI slop and algorithmically generated bullshit and sanitized corporatized messaging, I've found myself increasingly interested in creating something real.

So, to that end, I am now offering zines as a Patreon reward.

All zines are written, designed, printed, folded, stuffed into envelopes, and mailed by me.

Contents may include:

Original short fiction

Nonfiction/essays/deep dives

Writing advice and instruction

Interactive elements like journaling prompts

Art, collage, photography, and so forth

Bonus notes, stickers, errata, and other lil bits and bobs I find

Anticipate that they'll be horror-flavored.

I'm still new to zine-making, and I'm looking forward to experimenting with different formats and techniques. I'm looking forward to practicing art and collage and multimedia. I can't guarantee glossy perfection with every issue, but I will always deliver something unique that you won't find in any of my online materials.

Subscribe for $5 on my Patreon. I'll also sell the files so you can print them at home if you'd rather buy them as one-offs.

The first zine will be sent in early July, so subscribe now so you don't miss it :)

[jessesluvr]

need more domestic Jesse headcanons, maybe Jesse and reader have just moved in together

domestic jesse headcannons

⤔ jesse spends hours trying to find the perfect spot for each picture frame, making sure your shared space feels like home.

⤔ you both argue playfully over who gets to pick the playlist during chores, but usually end up laughing and dancing around instead.

⤔ jesse is the absolute best at making breakfast — he learns your favorite order by heart and surprises you with pancakes on lazy mornings.

⤔ you sneak little notes into each other’s pockets or bags, tiny reminders of how much you care during patrols or work.

⤔ when one of you gets cold at night, the other immediately pulls you closer, wrapping both of you in a big, warm blanket fortress.

⤔ jesse loves making you coffee in the morning, but somehow always forgets to add sugar — and you tease him endlessly about it.

⤔ you decorate the living space together with bits and pieces from jackson, like wildflowers, handmade pottery, and old books.

⤔ sometimes jesse falls asleep mid-story when you’re reading aloud to him, and you can’t help but smile as you watch him.

⤔ you both develop silly inside jokes about your quirks, and saying just one word can make you burst out laughing in public.

⤔ jesse always volunteers to do the laundry, but you catch him using your clothes just because he likes how they smell.

⤔ when things get tough or stressful, you have an unspoken routine of sitting side by side on the porch, watching the sunset in silence.

⤔ jesse surprises you with homemade gifts — like carved wooden charms or painted stones — little treasures that mean the world to you.

⤔ you find yourself waking up to jesse humming softly, tracing patterns on your back or holding your hand.

⤔ you share the same favorite spot on the couch, so you spend evenings squished together under a single blanket.

⤔ cooking together is chaotic but fun — the kitchen ends up a mess, but so do you both, laughing the whole time.

⤔ jesse leaves little snacks hidden around the house for you to find, like a treasure hunt made of love.

⤔ you two make a habit of slow dances in the living room, even when there’s no music, just because it feels right.

⤔ jesse always notices when you’re having a bad day and knows exactly how to cheer you up — whether it’s with a joke, a hug, or your favorite drink.

⤔ your home becomes a safe haven for friends too — especially ellie and dina, who drop by often and feel like family.

⤔ before you fall asleep each night, jesse whispers promises of protection, love, and forever — and you believe every word.

⤔ jesse builds a small garden outside your home where you both grow herbs and flowers, spending quiet mornings tending to it side by side.

⤔ when one of you is feeling down, the other makes an impromptu “movie night” with whatever old films or shows you can find, complete with blankets and snacks.

⤔ you both keep a shared journal where you write little memories, doodles, and plans for the future — it’s your special book of “us.”

⤔ jesse loves to steal quick kisses whenever you’re not paying attention, leaving you grinning like an idiot for the rest of the day.

⤔ you find that your laughter echoes more in the house than ever before, especially during your silly, competitive board game nights.

⤔ jesse gets a little possessive (in a cute way) when you start decorating a room, making sure he has a say in the “cozy factor.”

⤔ on chilly nights, you share an old quilt jesse found, wrapped together like a living, breathing bundle of warmth.

⤔ you create a little “welcome home” ritual — a simple embrace and a whispered “i’m glad you’re here” that means everything.

⤔ jesse loves waking up early just to watch you sleep for a few moments before the day begins, feeling grateful you’re his.

⤔ your place is filled with small reminders of your life together — a mug with both your names, a shared keychain, and a patchwork blanket that tells your story.

[paramountinplace]

Hi!! I love all of your work sm. It is often one of the very few things that make me smile these days.

I’ve just been thinking about a lot about Akilah and her time being little. She is so quiet, often wandering into the gardens to see the small animals that appear or watching the birds in the window in her bedroom (Nat bought her a book of all the local species).

Because she’s so nature-oriented and calm, I think she is a prime playmate for a little Lottie. Alongside Misty, she is always the first in line to help feed the baby!! While the other kiddos might be playing chase or soccer, Akilah can often be found cradling Lottie under the tree in the corner of the garden, babbling to the baby about different ladybugs while Lottie grasps at the grass and wildflowers.

Also, just thinking about Tai and KiKi days!! With so many kiddos, Akilah kind of gets lost in the background. Ofc none of the cgs mean to leave her out, but a crying Mel, frustrated Shauna, or fussy Jackie and Van inevitably create some distraction. As the two Black girls of the house, Tai has a deeper understanding of Akilah and her girlhood; maybe KiKi can’t braid her hair like the other girls, or go swimming without thought, but Tai knows that tri-weekly loc retwists trips and dance-parties to nostalgic music are equally as fulfilling and special!! Idk I just love their relationship in the show sm and I totally think that Tai would love to be the best cg/big sister to Akilah in the whole world.

Sorry for rambling I just love Akilah (as a Black viewer) and all ur work. It’s all so healing and beautifully written. I hope you have an awesome day!! :)

Hey! I'm so glad you've enjoyed!

I love these thoughts so much. The image you painted of Akilah and Lottie just huddled up together in the garden while she talks about ladybugs is so precious. She strikes me as someone who would take the time to listen to Lottie babbling, even if it didn't make any sense to her, and nodding along and asking her questions despite knowing she won't get an answer.

I imagine that Tai has specific times set aside on certain days that's written on her schedule as "Akilah's Animal Facts Time" where Akilah trails her around the house while Tai does chores and she's encouraged to talk about whatever she wants. It doesn't have to be animal facts, but it is a lot of the time just due to the sheer amount of information Akilah has in her head about nature.

When it's her turn to pick something for movie night, it's almost always some kind of documentary or animated movie about animals. If she hears a fact that's particularly interesting or has a question that pops up for her during the movie, she'll write it down in her field journal (gift from Mari, one of those yellow journals with the waterproof pages) to look into or show Tai later.

The idea of days set aside specially for them is also so sweet. I can see Akilah being so quietly excited about getting to spend the whole day with Tai and Tai very adamantly keeping her day open, even if it means passing a fussy Van off to Nat for the day. She's very careful not to make Akilah feel like she's taking up her time and tells her constantly that she deserves to have Tai's time set aside for her.

Also thinking about how Akilah was the one to help stitch Van's face after the wolf attack (and how she volunteered to go with them to find civilisation) and Tai would never forget how steady Akilah's hands were as she did her absolute best to help. She's simultaneously so grateful to her and also guilty about putting that much responsibility on Akilah's shoulders. Her and Van are both intentional about not blaming her stitch job for how Van's scars healed.

Akilah's allowed to go off on her own more than most of the other littles (out to the yard by herself or down the road to the park to see if she can find butterflies), but Tai still gets a jolt of anxiety when she sees Akilah wandering around outside by herself. Sometimes she'll send Mari out with her, because Akilah and Mari always get on well and Akilah is the only person Mari will listen to ramble on about her interests without getting bored or interrupting.

Tai is always asking Akilah for her opinion on things, even if they don't necessarily concern her directly. "Hey, what do you think of soup for dinner?" "Kiki, do you like the flowers Van put out the other day?" "Well, I don't know, let's check with Akilah first." "Did you see Misty's shirt? It's got a bunny on it!" She knows Akilah can sometimes fade in the background a little and wants to bolster her whenever she gets the chance.

[paleode-ology]

I love words I love words I love them so much words words words rahashhahthahahrhdhhdjsjahdgahrhsh

[sylviaplathreincarnate]

[critterishere]

shout out to that au in my head where these two experience manmade horrors beyond their comprehension together 🗣

original image down here🏃

[karliahs]

I tried to give myself a little break from writing because I thought that's what I needed, but turns out the writing is load-bearing at this point. what I really needed was a break from writing stuff that I ever intend to polish up and show anyone. tapping out random comfort daydreams full of square brackets and 0 context is vitally necessary in fact

[aldoodles]

Younger me was somehow able to churn out a million words of writing about their ocs between the years 2009 and 2019 and then i started from scratch with (essentially) new ocs and plot, and I have only been able to write like 5000 words total in the last five years. I wonder if this is just a part of getting more exhausted by adult responsibilities or if I have lost the knack for writing. Did this happen to anyone else ?

[remembertheplunge]

Hi, I just wanted to tell you that I love reading your posts, and seeing you recount all of this is really interesting and enlightening. I'm currently in my 20s and I've picked up the habit of journaling to track what happens in my lifetime and when. I almost have one full journal filled up and I'm proud of myself for keeping it up for so long.

As a queer person, I love reading about the history of people in the community who are older than me. It makes me happy to have firsthand proof that we can live for so long.

I hope you have a good day or night, whenever you read this

Hi.

Thank you for your kind words about my posts. I began journaling when I was 22 in 1977. I'm now almost 70. That journal you are working on now, your first, will be precious to you as time goes by. Now I probably have 1000 journals! And I've noticed as I changed , my journaling style changed as well. I began to write outside the lines .I included sketches. I began to write poetically at times, and use the placement of words on the page to convey meaning. I would leave white spaces in the entries, also to convey meaning. I left margins so my future self could come back and integrate the present and the past in margin notes.

So, keep it up. Buy your next empty journal now and have it ready. When you complete your first journal, move on to your second.

Your future self will love the beautiful geography of your past that you have created and left behind.

I'm glad that you like the gay history I recorded in my journal. And, that it shows you the way to be alive and thrive as a gay person into your 60's and beyond.

[giving-breath-to-dreams]

This book is not designed for specialists, for

The reading public, for school children. It contains

64 of the most common

People as beautiful and interesting

As the orchids of tropical forests

To captivate even the least observant of us.

-MGS-

blackout poetry from “a colour guide to familiar wild flowers ferns and grasses”

I started journaling after the inauguration, to keep a personal written record of this time in history. Today, I wanted to use some pages for a junk journal. It feels nice to have some joy in the midst of whatever my journal is.

[lonely-wandering-heart]

I recently picked up journaling and I’m absolutely loving it.

Here’s my spread I made from my trip to Edinburgh!

[hersurvival]

City streets rapidly claimed,

An intersection moved in upon by rebels,

Guns and dogs and trucks,

As I am in the middle of crossing the street.

Grabbed, dragged, abducted.

A warehouse filled with girls,

Taken. Same as me.

These are trials, competition,

Impress the boss, their leader,

You will survive.

But what am I if not a caretaker?

Time's up and I've helped everyone else

Except myself.

And as the guards come round

To make their judgment,

The panic of being a disappointment,

Of not being perfect,

Has me collapse.

A man straddles me

As I am hyperventilating,

Shoves two fingers under my ribs,

Demanding I focus, sharp pain.

In and out, too bright,

Somehow too dark.

I lock eyes with two girls up high,

Attempting to escape through a vent.

And what good am I if not to protect?

What more can I do as diversion, distraction,

But stop breathing all together.

[lifenconcepts]

y’all want a prompt to journal to? Fill in the parts that have — in ‘em. You can change the way this is organised too btw, no need to keep it all coherent together, that’s why there are dots. Expand as much as you want. Make it as poetic as you want.

“I feel __. In a __ world. I want to __. I am __. I’m here in __. I hear __. I desire/crave __. I taste __. As my mind __. Understand that __. I will __. I can’t __. I won’t __. When I’ll __. Here where __. Singing a melody __. Go __. Just __. Don’t you __. Call me __. Wrap me in __. Allow me __. Make me __. Hear me __. See me __. My soul is __. My heart is __. As my mind __.”