Starting My Journey to Self-Love and Growth with the Glow Up Journal Challenge
As I sit down to write this article, I am realizing that it’s already the beginning of February, and I completely forgot to introduce my personal monthly journal that I want to start writing in to document my physical and emotional growth throughout 2021. I’ve decided to give journaling a go, as I’ve not been feeling fabulous about things lately. I’ve been feeling very stale and lost, like I’m living without a purpose, and I have nothing to show for my nearly 30 years on this planet.
Why Journaling?
I’ve been struggling with life lately, feeling very lost and disappointed in myself for not achieving enough. I feel like I’ve got nothing to show for my 30 years on Earth, which has to be a load of rubbish, surely? The problem I’m facing is that I’ll be 30 next year, and I can’t help but feel I’ve wasted my life and have nothing to show for it. It’s been suggested to me that maybe I feel this way because I haven’t bothered to ever celebrate my successes and things that I’m proud of; instead, I just brush them off and carry on.
Conversations with Loved Ones
I’ve had several conversations with trusted loved ones about my life’s purpose, where I’m heading, what my goals are, and how I can become more loving and trusting of myself. I’ve already been suffering from GAD and depression, so this impending doom feeling of helplessness and uselessness isn’t helping. In an effort to try and love myself more and appreciate the things that I can do and am good at, I decided to give journaling a go.
The Suggestion to Keep a Journal
Journaling was suggested to me as a way to keep track of my achievements and successes. To help me do this, my Mister suggested I keep a journal or diary that I can refer to whenever I’m feeling lost and crummy. I am not great at making beautiful bullet journals – calligraphy is not my strong point – but I do love being creative. I thought that I could do something similar and combine my love of watercolour and drawing with some positive affirmations to get me through the trickier days.
My Approach to Journaling
I’ll keep a physical journal, and update my blog on a monthly basis. I think keeping a physical journal and summarising the content online each month is a really lovely way of reinforcing a positive mindset and building up a stronger sense of self-worth. It also forces me to spend half an hour each day, and then some time at the end of each month, to really reflect on what’s happened and how I handled things, how I got through difficult situations, and how I am proud of the things I have achieved.
The Benefits of Journaling
Small victories all add up to big achievements. I’m all about celebrating the small victories, which is just as well, because with lockdown still in full force, it’s not like I can achieve something crazy like climbing a mountain, which was actually the plan for last May. There’s a silver lining to the lockdown, though, and that is that it gives me an opportunity to be proud of things and reflect on what I do on a daily basis. I can actually take a step back and think about everything I achieve in just one, average day as a lockdown home-educating, dog-walking, self-employed, mum of 2.
Joining the Glow Up Journal Challenge
So, if you fancy following along with me, or giving this sort of journaling a go, please stick around for my monthly updates! I’ll be posting the first one shortly, as usual, I am already behind! It doesn’t have to be a fancy Pinterest-worthy bullet journal – trust me, I get that the pressure of that type of art can be off-putting. Really, this whole project is about focusing on yourself, growing, loving, and understanding your own mind and achievements!
Some Fancy Journal Options
If you want to use your journal as a creative outlet, by all means, give it a go! But please don’t feel like it is a requirement. I’ve been looking at getting a journal that’s a bit fancy and extra special, which will hopefully reinforce the positive nature of this project. I love a good Etsy product, so I’ve been looking at journals and planners on there, and I have to say that these beauties have really caught my eye!
- Kraft Leaf Illustrated Notebook from Etsy
- Vegan Leather Hardback A5 Bullet Journal from Etsy
- Custom Bullet Journal from Etsy
- In The Darkest Dark Look For Stars Notebook from Etsy
- The Best Is Yet To Come Notebook from Amazon
- Colourful Tree Notebook from Amazon
- Dotted Notebook Black Hardcover from Amazon
- The Starry Night Ruled Notebook from Amazon
Let’s Get Started
I can’t wait to look back through the year and see how far I have come by the end of 2021. Of course, if you want to take on what I am calling the Glow Up Journal challenge with me, any old notebook will do. It doesn’t have to be fancy, you don’t need to be artsy either; it’s just all about celebrating your amazing existence, and I really cannot wait to get properly stuck in!
Tag Me!
If you decide to take up the challenge, please tag me! I am always on Instagram gloryiscalling, and Twitter gloryiscalling; you can also tag my Facebook page too! I’m excited to share this journey with you, and I hope it’ll give me some motivation to keep going, keep striving to better myself, and keep remembering to love myself more and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Glow Up Journal Challenge?
The Glow Up Journal Challenge is a personal growth and self-love journey where one documents their physical and emotional growth through journaling.
Why is journaling beneficial?
Journaling helps to track achievements and successes, and can be a therapeutic outlet for reflection and self-improvement.
Do I need a fancy journal to participate?
No, any old notebook will do; it’s about celebrating your existence, not creating a perfect journal.
How often will updates be posted?
Monthly updates will be posted on the blog, summarizing the journal’s content.
Can I join the challenge even if I’m not artsy?
Yes, the challenge is not about creating art, but about reflecting on your achievements and growth.
How can I tag you on social media?
You can tag on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook at gloryiscalling.
Is the Glow Up Journal Challenge a solo activity?
No, you can join along and share your journey; the author encourages others to participate and tag them.
