write with us: july group journaling session

writing about the future

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

Do you believe that the dreams and visions you have for your life are possible? Maybe you daydream but don’t take action because that foundational belief just isn’t there.

You wouldn’t be alone. I know what it’s like to have a vision for your life that you don’t believe you are worthy or capable of. The first thing I did to change that was to start asking myself heart-opening questions and being honest with myself.

Self-honesty is key to creating the life you want. Journaling is a place where you can practice being honest with yourself.

A journal is a place free of critics and skeptics, a place to experiment with radical honesty. A place to write exactly how you talk, process what's on your mind, and tell your stories to yourself. A place to witness the rawness of your language and get to know its rhythms. When you are writing for yourself, you can be your own unbiased witness.

So, why do we avoid it and struggle with blocks, resistance, and self-doubt? Some of these may sound familiar.

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You know you will uncover hidden beliefs, needs, dreams, and desires that you’re scared to face.

You don’t want to admit certain truths to yourself, acknowledge habits and people that you’re attached to that aren’t serving you.

You are so zoomed into your problems and circumstances that you don’t realize how different everything can look if you zoom out. 

You are used to looking outward for acceptance instead of inward for guidance. 

You don’t trust yourself because you think past mistakes are an indication of future behavior.

You think it’s self-absorbed to spend time reflecting on yourself and your needs.

You think you will become sad, depressed, afraid, or consumed with negative emotions. You’re afraid you will find things you don’t like about yourself. 

You don’t think you have the time right now and that you’ll get around to it at a later date (which never comes). 

You’re on autopilot and under the trance of distractions.

You’re genuinely busy and want to self-reflect but have too many balls in the air.

You don’t know how or where to start.  

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I get it.

I know how hard it can be to write. I also know that committing to the practice can change your life.

If you move through the inevitable resistance and keep writing consistently, you will begin to see a clearer version of yourself taking shape through the pages.  What you discover may be inconvenient and uncomfortable at times, but you are developing a lifelong practice that keeps you in touch with the real you. The payoff is self-awareness and a place to make sense of things, and then eventually a place to draw inspiration from, for the next version of you that is always becoming.

I know the value of self-honesty, writing to heal, and storytelling in community. Every month I host virtual sessions to facilitate this work, breaking down barriers to writing and finding new pathways to self-discovery. If it feels right, consider joining us.

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The Practice Session #17: Group Journaling w/ Jolie Doggett on July 21

We have a group journaling session called The Practice, featuring an invited guest or community member who leads us through a journaling exercise.

On Sunday, July 21 from 3:30 - 5 pm et, the lovely Jolie Doggett will be sharing more about the benefits of journaling and we’ll work through unique writing prompts to get us thinking about the future! Our future as individuals and the future of the world and humanity. In our journals we’ll be manifesting, goal setting, and getting honest and creative about the legacy we want to leave behind.

This session is free for paid subscribers, and guests can register to drop-in here.

Jolie A. Doggett is a writer, editor, reporter, and podcaster based in Raleigh, North Carolina. She produces a weekly newsletter and podcast called Finding the Right Words all about journaling for self expression and self discovery where she shares writing prompts and monthly writing challenges. Jolie also hosts digital writing workshops where she helps people get creative with their inner work. When she’s not writing in her journal, you can find Jolie reading some historical fiction, or spinning around in her local pole dance studio. 

Follow her on instagram @jolie_bean or @findingtherightwords_. Subscribe to her newsletter and podcast on Substack.

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drop in and write with the community this month:

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July 21. The Practice Session #17: Writing the Future w/ guest Jolie Doggett // 3:30 - 5 pm et (free registration for paid subscribers)

July 31. Vulnerability in Personal Storytelling Workshop // 5 - 8 pm et (free registration for paid subscribers)

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