An end to a year full of twists and turns we couldn’t have imagined in our lifetimes. I hope during this hectic time you were able to find some peace and rest with friends, family, or just on your own. I think it is important to find a moment of silence, if only for a moment, to be present and process what has occurred. My mind has been stuck in March this entire year, so I’m unsure how it is days from 2021!
This is my junk journal for next year. I made it from a cereal box following a tutorial from Johanna Clough on YouTube (not an advertisement, I just seriously recommend watching her videos if you're interested in junk journaling or just watching relaxing, creative videos)! I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. A previous one I made went through severe warping and bubbling because I used wrapping paper for the cover and thin cardboard. So, for this one I used fabric, which I love the added texture. As you can see, there is still a bit of bubbling, but I think it adds to the appearance. My theme for this one is vintage nature and it is filled with different vintage-looking papers. I don’t remember how many pages are in here, but I know it is over 50 including the fronts and backs of each page. I prefer to go chronologically in my journal, do you go chronologically or choose whatever page stands out to you? I do love the lace closure. It is a very simple journal, but I think gluing the lace and buttons on adds a bit of character. Also, I have tied the signatures into my book since I struggle with sewing them in by hand.
I have already started filling it out with a calendar, goals, and things I want to track. I have also added that I will be joining Yoga with Adriene's 30-day yoga journey "Breath" in January (again, not an advertisement, I just find her videos are amazing and feel like doing yoga with a friend. She always gives me the courage to keep going and the videos always seem to know the moments when I’ve reached my limit to remind me that it’s important not to force yourself into a pose). I cannot wait to recommit myself to yoga and have my body feel good again (Note to all that have put off yoga or other hobbies/activities, it’s okay! Every moment of every day is a new second to start again. This is also something I’m trying to learn). I am still thinking of a word to strive towards in this coming year. This year's word was Balance and, goodness, was my balance thrown off more than I thought it would be!
This year was difficult—really, really, difficult for everyone. As difficult as this year was for myself, I believe it taught me a lot of lessons I had been wanting, or needing, to learn. I am learning how to focus on the bright little moments that I usually took for granted. I am learning how to acknowledge my emotions and sit with them when I usually would have buried them and walked away. I am learning my emotions and feelings do not make me weak and that talking to someone about my troubles doesn’t make me a weaker person, but a stronger one, I believe. I am learning that while my perfectionism will toss my needs aside, it is more important to be there for myself when I need it the most (breaks, exercise, etc.). These lessons are hard for my mind to grasp every time they’re challenged, but I’m still learning and will be doing so for the rest of my life.
So, come midnight on January 1st, we will still have a virus present, school and work ahead, and a new world we need to adjust to—but for now I am sitting in this moment, thinking about my journal, and hoping to find some rest so my mind can recover from the rollercoaster of a year we’ve had. All other challenges will come with time, so for now I choose rest. I hope you can also find rest, peace, quiet, calm—something to give you a moment to recover your strength, build your courage, and remember that you are beautiful, you are enough, you are so much stronger than you think, and you will conquer life’s challenges that lie ahead.
Rest well and I hope to see you in my next post.
