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Here in Maine, nature is experiencing a time of rest. The trees and other perennials have gone dormant while others, in their last throes of life, have scattered their seeds to weather the winter cold. We, like plants, require rest. We need time to withdraw from the rest of the world, to look inward and reflect before contemplating the possibility of new growth. January is the perfect time for this kind of introspection. The new year brings all kinds of new possibilities, which can be overwhelming. Going inward before venturing out to explore can help ground and nurture us at our roots. This time may resonate differently for all folks, but I enjoy keeping a journal during this time and all year round. The ritual of sitting down to write in my journal, a cup of hot tea by my side, is something that never gets old. In this blog post, a few of us from Herbal Revolution will share the ways in which we have incorporated journaling into our daily lives.
Amy
"I find journaling helps me hold myself accountable and aids in my health journey. As someone with a chronic health condition, I use my journal to keep tabs on symptoms and track the progress of various treatments. It’s all too easy to get mired down during challenging times and forget the overall progress being made as a whole. Journaling provides me with a constant reminder of the ebb and flow of life."
Laine
"In my early teens, I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and was inspired to follow her Morning Pages technique. Cameron encourages journaling at least three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing every day. This practice was incredibly helpful during my teens to help me clarify my thoughts and feelings without criticism or judgement. I found myself instead experiencing curiosity and self-compassion. My journaling practice has ebbed and flowed throughout my life, but is always there as an opportunity to learn, vent, celebrate, and integrate everything I’m experiencing. As I’ve gotten older, I feel I have less to say and write less than I used to – my journals now include not only writing but quick drawings, little watercolor paintings, photos, a note from a friend, a receipt from an amazing dinner, a Fall leaf pressed between the pages. They hold the small moments that make life feel juicy and precious to me.
One of the best things about journaling is you probably don’t need to buy a single thing. All you need is paper and a pen, or a free app on your phone. But if you’re looking for inspiration, here are a few of my favorite creative journaling tools:
Becky
"Journaling keeps me grounded and helps me to stay focused. My journal is a place to visualize and hash out my intentions for the year, or even for just a particular season. At the start of a new year, I make a note of moon phases for the upcoming year and often use those moments and lunar shifts as a time to reflect or redirect my intentions. Also as an herbalist, I love to set aside space in my journal to make notes of what is blooming or growing, not just in my own garden but what I’m seeing in nature around me."
Who says new habits need to wait until January 1st? If you’re looking to kick off the New Year with a mocktail in hand, we have you covered with four delicious herbal beverages.
There is magic and power in this pivotal time, noted by human civilizations throughout history and sanctified through ritual. Many traditions, having been passed down through generations, are still practiced today. The relationship between humans and plants is often visible in these rituals. There are things we do even now that connect us with ancient ancestors. In both practical use and symbolism, these four herbal bodies hold significance to us in connection with the Winter Solstice and we’d like to share them with you.
