Inconsequential Journals

 It's Halloween! Take a mental note of all the unusual things you find today that celebrate the holiday and write them in your journal. Maybe a co-worker brought in candy or themed treat. Perhaps you saw several people in costume during the day. Even if you decide to turn off the lights and binge a romantic series, record what you did this day. Have a very Happy Halloween!

 For many of us, Halloween was a fun and exciting holiday in our childhood. Running around the neighborhood at night gathering candy was a thrilling suspension of the rules. Today, let's remember some of the best things about our Halloween celebrations when we were kids. Think back to your best costume, the year you amassed enough candy to last till Thanksgiving or the time it rained and your mom planned a last minute party. Write down all the lovely memories that come to mind.

 Halloween encourages people to experience scares that will ultimately give a little thrill. It's a way to relieve some stress and stare down one of our strongest emotions. Fear is intended to protect us but sometimes it also weighs us down. So, in the spirit of Halloween. Let's consider some common fears like snakes, clowns and people in masks holding axes. Entitle a page today, "I am not afraid of..." and then fill all the open space with things that many people fear that you are able to handle with grace (or maybe even like). Remind yourself that your not just brave in the movie theater. You rock at real life too. Ideas... Bats, Spiders, Ghosts, Mice, Snakes, Lizards, Dogs, Birds, Toads, Clowns, Darkness, Heights, Enclosed Spaces, Flying, Riding in Elevators, Bridges, Thunderstorms, Men in Beards, Broccoli, Aliens, Public Speaking, Germs, Blood, Needles, Long Division, Balloons, Crowds, Strangers, Being Alone, Water...        

 While we'd love for autumn to be a steady stream of gorgeous mild weather days with just a hint of chill, the weather in transitional seasons is usually a multitude of combinations. One day the grass will be crisp with frost and the next your chrysanthemums are wilting in the heat. We dare not box up any piece of clothing. Umbrellas accompany us more often than not. This, at times, aggravating variety actually makes it the perfect opportunity to track the weather for a few days. It wouldn't be very interesting to list sunny and hot five times or cold and dreary for seven. Fall promises to include chill, heat, wind, rain, fog and much more. Draw out a grid and even just a few boxes and record what you experience weather wise for each day. If you are feeling creative, write the start of a story for each one. We all know suspense starts with a dark and stormy night. What of a crisp afternoon amongst windswept trees or an early morning  submerged in the roar of a pouring rain? Awa

 This time of year the daylight hours quickly start to shorten. Some are affected by this change more than others. No matter your situation, it's always a good idea to think about adding light to the dark. Today we will focus on the literal but it's good advice figuratively as well. Add a picture of a candle or lantern to your journal and list as many ways as you can imagine to make your evening glow bright. Design a beautiful Tiffany style shade or a groovy lava lamp. Make your drawing fit your mood and warm your heart. My List for Light - 1 - Candles 2- Fire in the fireplace/ firepit 3- Fairy lights 4- Solar lanterns 5- My favorite lamp

 It's been a while since I had a page about music in my journal. So today, I am suggesting we make the perfect October playlist. The songs you chose can be any theme you want but I urge you to spend a little time dreaming up something a bit different. The internet of full of suggestions from Green Day to Michael Jackson, but what would truly stand out to you? Maybe you would add "The Autumn Leaves" by Nat King Cole or "Lost in the Shadows" by Lou Gramm. Find the tunes that fit your vibe. Have a some extra time, make several lists to fit different moods. Whatever your focus, make it something to truly enjoy.   

 Sometimes our world can feel overwhelming. We all have stressors that weigh heavily upon us. Journaling is a way that some find helpful for focusing their thoughts and feelings. However, clearing the clutter out of your head doesn't always need to be an organization system or a set of goals. It can also be beneficial to simply think about something else for a while. It is in this spirit that I suggest an October brainstorm. Think of the things you enjoy most this month and write down as many as you can. Fill a line, fill a page, just sit for a couple of minutes and immerse yourself in the activity.  Ideas for Brainstorming in October... 1- Colors of the leaves 2- Classic monsters or cryptids 3- Mystery novels 4- Scary movies 5- Halloween costumes 6- Brand of candy 7- Fall clothing accessories 8- Recipes containing apple or pumpkin 9- Types of pie 10- Songs that mention autumn   

 The fall months are the perfect time to enjoy a delicious seasonal treat. Whether you long for a salad topped with sweetened dried fruit and nuts or a decedent piece of pie, you'll have plenty to choose from in the months of October and November. Autumn menus at your favorite restaurants, Halloween themed baked goods and even specialty cocktails are around every corner. Even typical grocery indulgences are re-styled just for this time of year. Embrace it. Eat the snack cake and make a page about it today. Maybe even create a special dish to have at home. Give yourself a little moment of joy today.

 October gifts us with some of the most amazing color palettes. With stunning sunsets, glowing woods, and a seemingly endless variety of home decor, inspiration is literally everywhere. Take a moment to look around and see what your distinct set of colors are for this month. Maybe you see it in your clothing, front porch decorations, or trees on the way to work. Now, capture those feelings and images created by those colors in your journal. You could block out a quilt, sketch the flowers in your garden, write out a description or simply make lines of color. More ideas... 1- Make an inspiration board 2- Paint a water color of the sky 3- Attach a photo of your Halloween display 4- Design a wreath 5-  Plan an tablescape