August's Journaling Guide: Joy & Gratitude
A Gentle Invitation to Notice
Joy and gratitude can sometimes be elusive feelings, especially during times of hardship, grief, or uncertainty. And let's be honest–life is rarely without its challenges. But even in the midst of all that’s heavy, moments of joy and gratitude still find a way to break through. We don’t seek them because we’re supposed to or to diminish the pain. We seek them because they are part of what makes us whole and are part of the whole range of human emotions.
It’s possible to hold joy and sorrow at the same time. Gratitude doesn’t erase frustration. They can sit beside each other. This month's journaling guide invites you into the gentle practice of noticing and naming the small, sacred, spark-like moments that remind you life is still worth being present for.
This guide is a little different from my previous guides. In addition to prompts, I’ve created space for you to build your own lists– collections of what brings you joy and gratitude, organized by theme. Each day you use this guide, you might choose one or two categories that speak to your current season, mood, or energy.
Let this be in your invitation to hold both complexity and beauty, and to remember that joy doesn’t always feel like triumphant trumpets– sometimes it begins as a whisper.
The prompts are grouped into five themes:
Foundation
Body & Senses
Relationships & Connections
Reflection & Meaning
Expansion
There’s no wrong way to use them. You can go through the guide in order, choose a prompt that resonates with your day, or simply open to a random page and begin. If a prompt doesn’t speak to you, you might even try writing about why it doesn’t. Sometimes that resistance holds its own truth.
How to Access the Guide
The July Journaling Guide is available for free to all paid subscribers of this newsletter.
If you’re not a paid subscriber, you can purchase the guide by visiting my website. Paid subscribers, keep reading to the bottom to access August’s guide.
I believe in making these practices accessible, and I’m honored to share them with you.
A Space to Write Together
If you’ve been craving a place to write and reflect in community, I’d love to invite you to join my From a Whisper to a Roar Journaling Circle.
We gather every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at 9:00 AM EST.
This isn’t a workshop or a class. It’s a supportive, non-judgmental space to come as you are. We begin with a prompt, write in silence, and end with optional reflection. You can share, or simply be held in the quiet presence of others who are also doing this work.