A Quiet Moment: Journal Mornings

Today I would love to chat about the practice of journal writing.

Some of my best ideas haven’t come from trying harder. They’ve come from slowing down and writing.

I thought I would share this piece of writing I shared in one of my newsletters recently.

I, for one, am not a consistent journal writer. I go through phases where I get up in the morning, make my cup of coffee, and before I read a word in my book or take a look at the internet, I sit in quiet and write. I have to admit, those early morning peaceful moments putting pen to paper can be very therapeutic, and some really great ideas come from that time. I tend to do this when I am feeling stuck, and I know that usually a resolution will come within a few days of just having a morning practice.

Julia Cameron, who wrote The Artist’s Way, first introduced us to Morning Pages.

Morning Pages involve writing three longhand pages first thing in the morning, stream-of-consciousness style. There’s no structure, no editing, and no worrying about grammar. You simply put whatever is in your mind onto the page.

The purpose isn’t to create good writing. It’s to:

• Clear mental clutter

• Process emotions

• Reduce anxiety

• Spark creativity

• Hear your own inner voice more clearly

  
  

Think of it as a brain dump before the world gets loud.

Sitting down with pen to paper slows your thoughts to the speed of your hand. It creates space to process emotions, clarify ideas, and notice patterns you might otherwise miss. Writing by hand also engages the brain differently than typing, deepening reflection, strengthening memory, and making your insights feel more personal and grounded.

The reason I bring this up is because in the last few months I have sold almost the same number of journals as I did in all of last year. It seems that people are looking for that peace without going on their computer, knowing they might not be able to find it there. With so many distractions when we go online, it is hard to stay focused. It is hard to listen to what is really going on inside of us. This “old” practice seems to be coming back as people try to cut out the noise for a little part of their day.

When I go on holidays, 90% of the time I write in a journal. I have been doing that since I was 23, when I traveled to New Zealand and Australia for an extended period of time. I have no idea what inspired me to keep a journal, but I am so glad I did because I would have never remembered a quarter of the things I did and places I saw if I were to sit down today and try to recall them. Actually, come to think of it, my dad probably suggested it to me. Back in the late ’60s he went on a six-month world trip and wrote in a journal about his experiences. So it was most likely inspired by him.

How often do I go back to my travel journals? Not too often, but they are there if I ever want to relive a wonderful holiday. I have been lucky enough to visit New Zealand three times. The second time I went, in 2003, I was a bit distracted because while we were away we were trying to buy our bed and breakfast in PEI, so we weren’t always the most present in what we were experiencing.

When Thomas and I returned with our girls 15 years later, we went to an old gold mine. We walked around, went into tunnels to see glowworms, and hiked a lot farther than we had first anticipated thanks to following MapsMe... haha. We then went to the coffee shop next door, an old wooden house that had been renovated. I remember looking at a picture on the wall of the house before the renovation, and something clicked in my head. I had been there before. I went back to the car and pulled out my old diary from 2003. I flipped through the pages and there it was. We had been there before and had some of the same experiences we had just repeated. I knew it had been a good idea to bring that journal.

For those who write in journals, how many do you own? Haha, I know that I am a sucker for buying them when I see a beautiful, inspiring cover.

I am excited to let you know that I have updated my journals, making them more personal from me. I have also created a Sketch journal for people who like to doodle and draw to help their ideas flow.

Here's a sneak peak of my new Owl Journal.

The journals are 6" x 9" with 100 pages to write in.

The Sketch Journal has a couple of Drawing Idea pages and then the rest are blank.

The journals will be ready by the beginning of May. I have also updated my Raven Journal and Nature Journal. You will be able to purchase them on my website and they will be available at Little Apple Cafe and Bakeshop as well as the markets I attend. Website will be updated soon.

Here are some prompts if you would like to begin journal writing, or if you are an avid writer but some mornings need a little inspiration:

• What is weighing on my mind this morning?

• What am I curious about lately, even if it seems small or strange?

• If I created something just for myself today, what would it be?

• What would I try if I knew it didn’t have to be good?

• What idea keeps gently returning to me?

• What small thing am I grateful for in this season?

• What does my creative spirit need today?

• What would I write if no one would ever read this?

This is a practice just for you.

Other uses for Journals:

• Idea Collector – Capture photo concepts, blog themes, titles, or creative sparks before they disappear.

• Nature Log – Record bird sightings, weather shifts, seasonal changes, and small observations from your walks.

• Gratitude Journal – A daily practice of noting simple blessings.

• Dream Journal – Track dreams and recurring symbols.

• Goal & Vision Book – Map out long-term dreams and short-term intentions.

• Memory Keeper – Preserve everyday moments that might otherwise fade.

• Art & Sketch Journal – Combine writing with small drawings, color swatches, or pasted photos.

• Problem-Solving Pages – Work through decisions by writing out options and emotions clearly.

• There are so many possibilities to use a journal. It's a great tool. 

Please visit my page Mindfull Mornings on my website for weekly inspirations from nature or journal prompts.

Follow me on Instagram for more pictures from my trip including more birds I took from my patio.

Where else you can find me:

I write a weekly Substack where I talk more indepth about my pictures or what I look for in taking a picture.

I have a monthly newsletter that comes out at the beginning of each month. There I usually share a tip or a story and then keep my followers updated on where they can find my work. I will be at many markets this spring and summer.

Head to my website www.rikkineukom.com, scroll down and put your email address in the box to sign up.

You can purchase prints on my Pictorem Page

Or just head to my online store at www.rikkineukom.com/shop-1 . I am working on some new items for the upcoming market season. Stay tuned!