I truly believe that each of us has all the answers we need inside of us but how do we access that? If I was to sit down and try to access my “wisdom” all I’d hear would be thoughts, so I have a few tricks that help me side-step my overthinky brain and tap into the part of me that’s far wiser than the face I show the world. It starts with a piece of paper and a pen.
Without a doubt journaling is one of the fastest ways to get to know who you are on the inside. You can use paint and collage, write gratitude lists, use prompts and keep five-year diaries — and all of that is fantastic — but the method I return to again and again is the simple act of writing stuff down, stream-of-consciousness style, in a notebook. I write the date at the top of the page and then scribble down whatever is on my mind. It might end up being three pages of hormone-fuelled angst or a paragraph outlining an idea that came to me over breakfast. I don’t journal every day but I’ve made it my practice to check in with myself in my journal at least once a week, usually more. I don’t write anything particularly profound — most of my journaling reads like a messy brain dump.
However.
Getting into the habit of journaling — however that looks for you — is the doorway to accessing your inner wisdom. In that way it’s a bit like meditation: for the first few minutes after I’ve closed my eyes I’m like a dog trying to get into a comfortable position. My neck suddenly itches, my hands feel cramped. My head immediately fills with everything I must do and my monkey mind starts jumping around. But after a few minutes of letting myself settle, things quieten down and I can bring my focus to the mantra, if I have one, or I simply ‘sit back’ in my head and pay attention to the space inside me (best way I can describe it). If I’m lucky that’s the point when I start to feel more connected to the bigness of everything, but even if I don’t get there, I still feel calmer when I eventually open my eyes.
So if we translate that into journaling, first you get everything out of your head onto the page. Concerns, worries, half-baked ideas, preoccupations. He said this, she said that. The what ifs? The resolutions. Get it all out. And then keep writing. Start asking the questions and see what you come up with. Once I’ve dumped everything out of my brain I find it’s much easier to start looking at things from a different perspective. Sometimes I’ll keep my notebook by my side all day, adding more notes as they occur to me. What started as chaos in the morning might look very different by the evening.
Another journaling technique I use a lot is letter writing. You can write letters to people, places, things, feelings — anything and everything, really — but it’s especially powerful when you write a letter to yourself as yourself. Try writing a letter as your future self, one year older than you are now. Or five years older. Or as your 80-year-old self. What does she have to say? What clarity can she share about your current situation? I like to imagine that my future self knows a heck of a lot more about the world than I do, so when she writes me a letter I feel I’m accessing the part of me that’s wise and loving. Doesn’t matter that it’s the me of today who’s writing it — I’ll often read a letter back and wonder where did that come from?!
Checking in with my inner wisdom and intuition is how all my decisions and plans are made these days. We live in a noisy world filled with people telling us what to do and how to live but the fact is nobody knows YOU like you do. You are the ultimate authority on your inner and outer world but it can be hard to hear yourself think let alone listen to anything more subtle! And intuition is really beautifully subtle, so I’ve created a new course to help you not only hear your own inner wisdom but to act on it too. Think of it as your sense of knowing — just like your others senses it’s possible to strengthen your intuition through daily connecting and creative practices — and yes, journaling plays a big part in that!
Your Soul Speaks feels like the next evolution in my teaching. In all my courses I want to empower you to be able to know, trust and express yourself better. It’s time we tune in to ourselves to become fully empowered to steer our own ship. A world full of people who trusted and followed their inner guidance would be a world that changed overnight! And it starts with us.
The giveaway
To celebrate the launch of Your Soul Speaks I have six special journal packs up for grabs! Inside each pack is a gorgeous OLA journal, a copy of Project Calm magazine, a stick of palo santo and a pack of my absolute favourite incense.
There will be 12 winners in total — 6 peeps get a journal pack and a place in class PLUS! another six peeps will also get a place in class.
** If you win and you’ve already enrolled in class I will send you a refund! **
I’m happy to mail the packs anywhere in the world, so this giveaway is open to everyone.
How to play
You can enter up to five times in the following ways:
1. Leave a comment on this post sharing something that has already made you smile in 2018
2. Pinterest: Pin one of the images in this post (and include a link back to this post) then leave a comment saying you’ve pinned it
3. Instagram: Share any of the images in this post and include a link to my IG profile @SusannahConway and the hashtag #yoursoulspeakscourse (then leave a comment saying you’ve shared the pic)
4. Facebook: Share this post on Facebook (then leave a comment saying you’ve Facebooked it)
5. Twitter or anywhere else: Tweet/share this post with your peeps (then leave a comment saying you’ve tweeted/shared the post)
Comments will close on Friday February 23rd at 11:59pm GMT and I’ll contact the 12 winners on Saturday 24th (please make sure you type your email address carefully when leaving a comment) The winners have all been notifed x
Good luck and thanks for helping me spread the word about Your Soul Speaks! xo
One thing that has made me smile this year, was meeting up with a friend and her two young children. Her eldest M is now two and her youngest E is just four months. We went for a walk round the local park and spent about an hour splashing in puddles with M. Lots of fun and an awesome day :D
Hi Susannah…love this give away!
I have to say 2 things that made me smile already in 2018…one is my cat Max who went viral on the internet in the fall of 2017…makes me smile with is antics every day! and second in a luscious herbal class I took about making love potions and cordials…sooo yummy
Just posted on:
my FB acct. (Latifa Lipton) and also my FB page (Latifa Lipton-creating sanctuary)
Tweeted on @latifahlipton
Pinned on Pinterest on my dream vision 2018 board
Posed on my IG acct…
One thing that has made me smile this year is that I made up my mind to start studying to be a doula, and then I did it! Just like that! Enrolled, started studying, and I’m just love it so much. Thank you for this opportunity <3
One thing that has made me smile in 2018 is that I have begun to let others help me, and amazingly enough they have stepped up to do so! I usually am too busy taking care of everyone else around me, but I am finally insisting that others do their share, and it has made me smile.
Awesome giveaway – thank you for offering. I feel as if I’ve got my mojo back and this has made me smile broadly in 2018( so far!)
I smiled this mornings when I posted my first blog after a long hiatus, and got to include a link to Susannah’s site and work, which I love!!!
One thing that has made me smile in 2018, is knowing that I am surrounded by angels whenever I call for them…
One thing that has made me smile this year is that I have begun and maintained a daily yoga practice. This has been a big step for me in my self-care – I feel so terrific!
One thing that made me smile this year is seeing this new class offering from you! Okay, also what made me smile was seeing my son turn 13 years old in the south of France and knowing what amazing opportunities and mind expansion are happening for him as we travel the world.
Pinterest an image over on my website board here: https://pin.it/hu6kppeqhbj2er
This year I have started to train as a counsellor. What has made me smile is the joy of learning after a few years of my brain feeling switched off. I feel excited again. The group i am learning with consists of many bold, kind, curious women who are all showing up, sharing and supporting each other and I am honoured to be a part of it. The joy of this is beaming light into other areas of my life and I am smiling so much more.
Shared on Facebook ??
Hello! A bright light of 2018 for me already has been celebrating my brother-in-law’s 30th birthday. My sister hosted a poker party, and both sides of our families came together, and oh – how we laughed!
Now shared image and giveaway details on IG, Facebook and Twitter. Fingers crossed now ?????
Despite my word for 2018 being DELIGHT, January was tough. My 13-year-old is going through a lot and I’m the lucky outlet for her anger. But the thing that has made me smile repeatedly is the way she will reach out to me, at the same time that she’s pushing me away. I came late to motherhood (her adoption was finalized in July 2017) but it’s providing me with so many unexpected joys that I cannot imagine making any other choice.
My son makes me smile every day, no matter how down I am <3
Something that has made me smile already in 2018…. Several things actually:
1) Finding a holistic doctor in my local area that I trust and enjoy working with to reach my health goals.
2) Finding a holistic vet for my pets, who is actually in my area (this is hard to find in my area).
3) Going back to my boxing class after taking a year off on medical leave.
4) Finally finding a yoga ‘home’ in my town.
5) Booking myself not one but TWO vacations this year (I’m terrible about time off and rarely take even one a year), one to support my creativity and one to the beach for soul healing.
6) Finding my artistic style and my voice as an artist.
It’s been a good year so far with more goodness to come :)
This looks like a beautiful course! Connecting online with kindreds is one thing that has made me smile.
Posted on my facebook inspo/biz page and my personal page!
Something that made me smile? Here it is February 8….and I finally found my word. I’m so tired of struggling to keep my head above water. I thought maybe prevail? No something stronger. TRIUMPH. I’ve been smiling all day. And feeling determined.
Hi. I couldn’t sleep early one morning because there was a storm raging. I went to my spare room window to see what was happening in the street. Directly opposite me were two little boys who had pulled back their bedroom curtains to do the same. I smiled at their sense of adventure and at myself for still acting like a child.
My sister made me smile so many times already this year :)
My smile came from seeing my art on the cover of a membership journal after pushing through fear around being vulnerable and taking the risk. I will post on Instagram a photo to butterflyjamz3 and will share to Facebook susanspyker and St Stephen’s art therapy students site. If I figure out Pinterest I’ll do that. That’s a new kind of share. I’ll let you know. Lol. Thank you for the opportunity- the program looks magnificent
Susan
1. Posted on Instagram!
2. Posted in twitter.
3. Made me smile in 2018 – Your pics of Cat! And my love for my cats. :)
I chose “relationship” as of my word of the year and I’m finally having great dates after two years of nada. Love always makes me smile!
Figuring out the solution to live my life truer…that is by trusting myself. All this time I have not trusted myself to finish a project or stand up to confrontation, etc and it makes me smile thinking of the day (which was just the other day) that I stood in the mirror, smiled at myself and gently said “You’ve got this. You KNOW you can trust yourself to get stuff done. Now stop making up that story and let’s move forward.” :)
One thing that has made me smile this year is watching a short sequel to the movie Frozen with my nieces. I’m smiling right now when I think of them :)
Hi, something that has made me smile this year is my drawing class. I have wanted to learn to draw forever and I signed up for a drawing class, four classes we just finished the third and I am amazed of how much I’ve learned.
Something very simple that has made me smile this year is writing “smile” on my daily to do list. It’s as easy as that!
Thank you for your beautiful words. I’ve posted about the contest on my Instagram @rachelioho ? so much love to you and all your readers
What a lovely course offering. My furry babies have made me smile quite a bit this year, in a bit of a valley time of grief. Amazing how those little faces make all the difference. My husband also usually manages to make me laugh most days by being the biggest goofball on the planet (I wouldn’t have it any other way. :)
My grandson :)
Hi Susannah. I felt a deep inner smile and immense gratitude when, after following the breadcrumbs to find deeper connection with new people, I sat in circle with a small group of ‘new moon sisters’ for the first time on a dark and snowy January evening. I felt I was truly meant to be there, as though it had been circled for me on a map. Here’s to more breadcrumb trails!
Posted on Pinterest
Posted on Instagram
Posted to Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/karmasjourney/words-to-live-by/)
Feeling that 2018 is going to be a year of big, powerful changes makes me smile.
Having Lotus Wei’s flower card deck to flip through has made me smile this year!
What a wonderful new class and such a generous giveaway! Thank you for this opportunity! Something that has already made me smile was spending an entire day with my best friend, filming little vlogs for Youtube, sharing stories about our travels abroad together. It’s been two years since we went on our last backpacking trip together, so to look back on all those fun times and disasters and have a laugh about it all was so wonderful and fun! Also, I shared on FB, IG, Twitter, and Pinterest and all can be found under the username aerialovely :)
Something that makes me smile is my 13 year old lurcher, Itchy. Last year we lost both his brother and mother lurchers, so it’s just him and me now.
He always makes me smile.
Also ecstatic trance dance!
I have shared on IT and FB and pinned. My happy post is further up
What a lovely giveaway!
One thing that’s made me smile this year is finally learning how to make decent crepes! The very first one looked like a hot mess (literally) but I’ve finally gotten the knack of it!
Hi Suzannah!
This year I have made MYSELF smile. (ME!) After several years of crazy self-doubt, self-hate, etc, I am leaning into self expression (and gently working my way to self-love). I’ve taken some steps already this year, big and small- biggest of all: moving across the country! I sobbed alone throughout both plane rides and the layover, but once I arrived and felt a different ground underneath me, my own courage made me smile. This year I’m letting myself be my most free.
Thank you for this prompt, this give away, and your newsletters <3
xoxo
In 2018, I’ve already smiled at the preparations in moving in with my new love. I did not expect to meet someone, and this has been the best surprise.
I also tweeted out your course from @jennydelrose <3
Thank you so much for doing this giveaway!!
One of the things that make me smile almost every day is my cat…doing yoga with me! I started a daily practice following Yoga With Adriene at the beginning of January and every time I jump on the mat my cat comes there too, it’s still a novelty for her. Sometimes she’s very annoying (biting my hair or hands, scratching my butt…!) and I have to scold her, but she’s also incredibly cute so I never actually get angry.
Here is a link to my pin: https://it.pinterest.com/pin/572872015094372436/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alicegreenleaf/status/961688323944321024
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alicegreenleafpage/posts/294299834430714
woo hoo, shared everywhere: Pinned it, Facebooked it, Instagrammed, Tweeted.
I am totally smiling right now as I listen to one of my kids playing joyfully by himself (and he’s been doing it for hours already!). I can tell he’s deep into a story by the sounds he’s making, How delightful to be so thoroughly engrossed.
I smile every time I see my newly renovated backyard…. gravel pathways through the river rocks, artificial turf, and a beautiful deck where I can relax on dry days, no matter if it is cloudy or sunny, warm or cold. Such a glorious environment!!!!
What made me smile this year was when I have had a feeling of being balanced. My word for this year! And of course this class, been waiting for it! ?
One thing that always makes me smile are my daughters. They are my sun and moon, and bring so much magic to my life. Thank you so much for this wonderful giveaway!
One thing that made me smile this year is my best friend. We sometimes end up in “giggle cramps” laughing and having forgotten even the reason why, but we can’t stop.
I also shared this post via twitter here: https://twitter.com/emmasajben
And pinned it on this board: https://www.pinterest.ch/esajben/business-as-unusual/
This course looks amazing, just the right time for me to get back in touch with my intuition!
Something that made me smile this year was being invited by a respected teacher to participate in a group ritual for Imbolc. After many years of aching for group ritual (but not having a group), this was an opportunity to sink deep into magic and mystery. And it has cracked me open in unexpected and remarkable ways that I am still processing. A new evolution unfolding.
My little nephew has brightened my year so much and my whole life. I smile just thinking about his little face. I always loved reading about your joy of being an Auntie and now I’m enjoying it too :)
In 2018 my kid has made me smile. Big gains in his rehab journey.
I got divorced 41/2 years ago and decided to just take some time for myself. Well, four years later (summer 2017) I decided I was finally ready to put myself and my heart out there again and thus started my online dating journey. After 6 months of hits and misses (it was definitely a study in human nature and I learned a lot more about myself) and just 3 days before my subscription ran out and I was about to call it quits I met someone and I have to say he makes me smile. So fingers crossed, knock on wood, and all those other things you do, that he continues to make me smile in 2018 and beyond.
Posted on Instagram
I shared on Facebook
Shared on Pinterest. :)
I pinned a picture!
When my grandmother died I received some of her belongings, including a jaunty hat (grandma grew up in a time when proper young ladies wore hats). A couple weeks ago, on a whim, I popped the hat on my 8 year old daughters head, and she asked if she could wear it to school. I thought it was better the hat be worn than gather dust forever, so I said yes. Now my daughter wears her great-grandmother hat almost every single day. It has become her signature look. It makes me so happy to see her wearing it, and I think grandma would love it too
Shared on Facebook. Of course I would’ve shared even if there wasn’t an amazing giveaway, but I love the idea of winning a journaling pack and a spot in the course. <3
I’m smiling right now – I’m sitting on the sofa, looking at my cat Lily napping on the armrest, my husband sitting beside me with Sid, our other cat, on his lap, and a bunch of tulips and hyacinths on the coffee table. Simple pleasures :)
Getting a hug from my one year old daughter who’s not particularly fond of snuggles made it even more special. It made my heart smile :)
Pinned it!! :)
What a generous giveaway Susannah!
What made me smile this year… every day actually, my pets… I have 2 kitties (Stitchy and Saartje) and 4 bunnies (Carrot, Snor, Baboels and Knorretje). And they are all friends, how lovely is that! I enjoy watching them every day. :)
Gentle January 2018 made me smile.
As did December Reflections 2017.
And August.
And April.
The gentle support from your online community, Susannah, has certainly made me smile this year. You create such welcoming, safe spaces for exploration, instrospection and caring. Always grateful. Any idea of a giveaway is simply an added bonus!! <3
Pinned it! (Dryadajournals)
My toddler makes me smile every day in so many ways as his personality is starting to shine through. Also my word for the year being ‘Awaken’ when I really need a full nights sleep!
Posted on IG with an image and description. Funny how the image fits right into my feed. :)
Shared on FB! (Tagged you and made the post public :) )
Aaaan. . .shared on Facebook!
Hi Susannah…this sounds like a beautiful course and I’d be sharing it with or without these incentives. Your ‘The Inside Story’ course is an absolute breath of fresh air and I love it:)
?Lots of reasons so far to smile in 2018: I’ve woken up each day so far so that’s always a win :) I’m writing my first book and when I revisited it after a month away in India recently, I actually got so excited about what I’m exploring in it, I couldn’t stop grinning. It’s good. I didn’t realise before!?
I’ve just happily posted on:?My FB page (@thepeacefulrebellion) (pre-scheduled for 9pm tonight)?Pinned on Pinterest (on my #peacefulrebellion Board)
Posed on my IG account (@thetranquilpath)
Thanks for putting out so many wondrous things into the world :)
Shared on Instagram!!
I love what you do!!
I started to really believe I am pregnant in 2018. I felt her move around in there for the first time and it brought me a deep smile, followed by lots of elated tears.
Birds have made me smile! ?
Now on my Pinterest Page (Journalfest) as well.
Posted on twitter twice. ;)
Shared on Facebook too!!
My mum said to me last week that getting her rescue cat was the best thing she’d ever done. This made my heart flip and my soul sing. I’m two hundred miles away but know Minnie will look after mom and wake her up with a gentle tap of the paw every morning.
Pinned it!
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/175147872992541564/
Instagrammed, facebooked, tweeted. Pinned.
I hope this course soars for you.
Shared on twitter!! Think I’ll be signing up even if I don’t win a spot but thanks for the opportunity! :)
Something that has (and is) making me so happy in 2018 .. I have been taking yoga teacher training for about 18 months now … I am now at the practice teaching and community service stage of the training …. I have gotten a posting at a community health centre teaching seniors next week … so happy to be able to share something with them that has given me so much!
One thing that makes me smile while I read this is that I have sworn off social media for the time being to re-evaluate my relationship to it. This will be my only entry.
So many things make me smile on daily basis. Today it was the ridiculousness of getting up at 0430 to row an eight by the light of the moon, Ursa Major, and the local sewage treatment plant. I wouldn’t have gotten out of bed without the commitment to the other 8 women I knew would show up in the cold morning air. The dogs didn’t even bother to accompany me to the door – even they know I am crazy.
One thing that has made me smile in 2018 thus far is taking career aptitude tests and finding out that I am on the right track and should be able to get help to work out whatever issues are holding me back from accomplishing my goals. Now I just need the confidence to do it!
Hosting a visioning workshop with young women who are part of our Building Internal Resilience Through Horses program and seeing the possibility in their images and words. I’m still smiling. Loved this quote: “There is so much healing and support to be found when we share our stories from the different seasons of our lives.” — Susannah Conway
Pinned on Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/36521446961902024/
I started a yoga teacher training class in January and I smile every time I’m in sitting in the circle of incredible souls who are on the journey with me. I’ve never felt so energized and focused on any one thing before. I definitely followed my intuition with this one :)
Getting back into running has made me smile in 2018. It feels good to be using my body actively, not just vegetating in an office chair or on the couch!
Also pinned to my Pinterest board for 2018
What a wonderful offering <3
One thing that made me smile this year was seeing Rocky Horror live on stage in Antwerp. It was so awesome, and then visiting the city of Antwerp the next day was an amazing cherry on top <3
One thing that made me smile is that I have just this minute while reading this I had my University application confirmed. I applied to two, and had to make a decision on the one I was doubting was the right choice today. I am recovering from PTSD and just trying to work out how to love myself and trust myself. So I’m excited that I had made the decision overnight that my second option wasn’t right, and then right now my first option confirmed with a YES!!!!
One thing that has made me smile in 2018 was that moment when I was running down the street with my 7-year old daughter….a very special moment after having a big surgery in 2017, which forced me to walk with crutchs for more than 3 months and another 7 months to live a nearly normal family-life .
FBed it :)
I live in South Georgia and it is warm here 90% of the time. Well the first week of January this year it snowed! I mean it really snowed! It was amazing to see the beautiful flakes fall form the sky and stick on the ground long enough for us to play with. It was amazing!!
Shared via Instagram
@Sacred.Life.Path
Shared via Facebook.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/513621532496919687/
Pinned it!
Tweeted – https://twitter.com/bamacheryl1/status/961709776596955136
Seeing the sunset through the bare trees around Lake Harriet.
It’s the simple things that make me smile every day. Like my almost 5 year old daughter. :) I posted the link on my twitter account, and pinned it too! This course looks great!
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