Ground Hog Day 2024 – Re: Writing and Shadows

Ground Hogs and Shadows… such a poetic time of year to think about your shadow work and what needs illumination or consideration as you rediscover the brightest version of YOU.

Whatever you want to call it: Journaling, Scribbling, Writing, Noodling, Planning, Jotting – writing with a pen and paper is an exercise that takes practice and leads to you figuring out you, yourself, and “Id”. Yes, id, as well as ego.

Why bother with handwriting? Why work on your writing skills? Links to various articles can be found below, but for me, after 30 years of writing and scribbling, jotting and musing, I know that when the chips are down and the fog has descended, my journal and pen can help me find focus, find kinder words for talking to myself and others and step out of the shadow with greater awareness and motivation.

Rules for Starting out: Whether you are a ground hog or a scallywag:

Establish your ABC’s:

• • A for Accept and Acknowledge that writing takes time and practice. A is also for be Aware.
  • B for Be Kinder to your Self and to Others.
  • C for Count your blessings in order to find greater clarity, calm and courage

Set some goals: Decide to pick and choose from the following list

• • Turn off all electronics and write notes to yourself for yourself. Be a penpal to your Self.
  • Pay more attention in the here and now
  • Set a timer and write daily for at least 20 minutes. If If that’s too lofty a stretch goal, can you write every day for 2 – 5 minutes?  
  • Experiment and find the right time of day. Try mornings for getting yourself to the start line. Afternoons are for problem solving. and/or Evenings for gratitudes and putting the day away.
  • Carry a pen & journal everywhere.
  • Store your private pages in a safe place.
  • Keep another journal handy and note all of the good ideas that float your way.
  • Sign up for a Grassroots Gratitude Workshop and work with Author and Professional Journal Writer, Lorraine Widmer-Carson

Before signing up for Grassroots Gratitude Workshop?

1. • Decide that you want to commit and are willing to take this seriously
   • Make a date to talk to lorraine@grassrootsgratitude.ca
   • Find a pen that you love
   • Find a quiet desk
   • Open up a journal that appeals to you and stare at a fresh page
   • Write the date, time, (embellish, add any details related to right here, right now)
   • Ask yourself: What thoughts are taking up the most space in my brain right now, right here?
   • Write… “The thing(s) that is/are constantly running around in my head…

Need more information? Check out the links found in this post: Writing by Hand — it’s my thing!