#JF – Journaling Friend

In the company of people , activities seem to get heightened ; not just in the capacity of vibrancy but the experience and the lasting effect in each person. We do so many things with our friends ; we eat out ,go on trips, attend parties and so on so why leave out a vital thing, something as vital as journaling?

Journaling is  key part of CMA and we continue to devote ourselves to delighting in it and a key ingredient to keeping the fire burning as we have realized : is doing it with friends. While journaling happens in the confines of your home (or whichever location you prefer)  during your quiet time , there are so many ways to build friendships around journaling. I have met amazing people through a mutual love for journaling and what’s more, I have also learnt tips, tricks and hacks that have continued to revitalize my journaling experience.

A Journaling Friend, as I like to call it, is a friend with whom exists a mutual passion for journaling or with whom the desire to pursue exists. You need not be a guru or well in in this journey. The willingness to explore is certainly of essence and all other factors can follow suit.

I became an advocate of a JF during one of the journaling sessions we had with a couple of ladies back in 2020 and as we wrapped up our last day, I encouraged them to pair up and help each other stay on course because new habits become easier when you have people walking with you. This JF was to help in accountability, sharing challenges and finding solutions and even more, assist in keeping the excitement going lest it fades away after a few hurdles.

ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH YOUR JOURNALING FRIEND:

1. Share tips

I will admit, before I started actively talking about journaling and sharing it, I used to have ideas that I would experiment on and I desired someone to share them with. Other times, I wanted to have someone to weigh in on some creations. When it comes to sharing tips, it is not just the creative or artsy stuff but even tips on how to journal and some pointers to look out for (Who is God? What promises are outlined? Which are commands etc.) . There is a sense of comfort and freedom once both parties share and I have learnt that everyone has something to offer.

2. Exchange pages

In 2020 , my first journaling friend and I (though we didn’t have labels yet) would take photos of our journal entries every morning and exchange them. It was part of our routine and it not only helped us get a peek into each others creativity but it helped us in staying accountable and invited ways of delighting in the word even more

I would marvel at how her arrangement was and she would find ways of learning from my own set of outline. What’s more, we found ways of continuing our Bible Study and seeing how God spoke to each of us and granted, the next journal entry I would try incorporate some of her ideas.

3. Give details on supplies

“What ink did you use? Which sticker is that? I love the marker you used. How did you come up with this? How can I achieve these color combination? Which highlighter is this that doesn’t blot?”

These questions and more are honestly what goes on half the time I see someone’s spread and that is totally okay. I have learnt that you truly can never have it all, especially us who are stationery addicts.

No man is an island and in the journaling world, isolation will only stagnate your creativity.

4. Go on dates and have in depth flip throughs

Here, it goes beyond the surface. You are not only sharing spreads but getting chatty. This provides the opportunity to dive deep into the word especially if you happen to do a similar Bible Plan and yet even without commonality in the plan, it is a good way to learn what God has been teaching your friend in the season they are in.

Grab your journal, Bible and go out. It could be in cafeterias or in your homes and if tea is an essential like it is for me, get the kettle on the stove and prepare to sip and flip.

5. Do challenges together

Each person is equipped differently, both creatively as well as in actualizing concepts, I cannot emphasize this enough. There is a JF I know who is good at using sticky notes (or post its as some would call it) and her pages look so good while I on the other hand thrive in patterns, color blends and drawings .

A good way would be to push each other to experiment new things. This not only strengthens your Journaling relationship but it invites one to try new things and you just never know. I am slowly reducing the piled up sticky notes I had because I am choosing to try.

Allow yourselves to thrive by being:

• Willing
• Teachable
• Honest and Transparent
• Delightful
• Inquisitive

 

The Word can be creatively enjoyed and having a JF makes it even more exciting.  Do you have a JF? Are you going to link up with one? Share with us and if there is anything else you get to do with your JF we would be happy to know.

On the 5th of April, CMA will host Journaling Session / Workshop that will serve as a mini training to those who would want to get more details and learn how to journal. Who knows, you could get some new Journaling friends. If interested, sign up here 

You are light and you are so loved. Stay anchored and keep His light shining through