I don’t know who might find this helpful, but here goes…

I’ve been journaling differently in 2020. Beforehand, I would just write down anything that came to my mind to help process the thoughts and feelings I have at the time. This year, I started to theme my journals, and it helps me to do my Heartwork on a way deeper level.

For example, earlier this year I bought a notebook and called it “a love letter”. On the first page I would categorise types of people in my life (God, family, friends, lovers, myself, strangers, comrades, enemies) and then I would write a love letter to someone in that group. These were not the “oh I wuv you so much” kind of love letters. These were deep heart-to-hearts. Stories, questions, apologies, sentiments that I’m too afraid to say in real life (or have lost the opportunity to say altogether). I wrote to people I love, people I miss, people I dislike, people I’m afraid of. I didn’t hold back what I said in each letter; because after all, the notebook can’t criticise me or chat back lol. But at the end of the day, I was writing love letters, not hate mail, so I made sure each message ended with some resolve, some forgiveness, some understanding.

Reading these letters back, I’ve realised that I’ve written a type of autobiography, an insight into my life through the interactions of others; and at the end of the process I’ve understood myself more than I ever have. It’s an intense process, but a nourishing one too.

This winter, I encourage you to pick up a pen and pad and begin to write to yourself and your world. Speak honestly, but lovingly. You’ll be surprised where it takes you.