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 so far in 2018 is watching our little family–my husband, me as step-mom and (step) daughter–finally live together after several years of being apart. I shared your giveaway on Facebook.
This may sound funny, but one thing that made me smile in 2018 so far is my ability to work through a heartbreak. I had someone very close to me break my heart, and I never thought I could forgive and get over it. I am still working to process it all, but I smile at my resilience, my strength and ultimately my optimism through it all. I had intuitive hits through the whole process, but I know I could benefit from honing that in, trusting it, then TAKING ACTION! I smile because nothing can break me, not even heart break. I pinned your pic on Pinterest, and shared the contest on Facebook. Thank you for this opportunity!!
Pinned it :)
I am so excited about this class.
Shared on Pinterest
Meeting a musician I have loved for years this week!! His great energy made me smile. Plus he’s pretty handsome too!!
Pinned it!!
Trying ski touring last night for the first time with two friends made me smile, especially our programme of hiking up a local piste, having dinner at a favourite restaurant at the top, and then skiing back down again with head torches on. I’ve wanted to do it for ages, and making it happen was so much fun!
My 10 yr old daughter’s beaming smile when she got off the bus bringing her back from a 5 day residential with her school in January . Not only was she pleased to see me but her smile reflected her inner sense of achievement as despite having complex physical disabilities she found the confidence with the right support (the teachers were complete stars!) to navigate a high rope trail. This is a child who cant manage slides in playgrounds and yet despite a fear of heights she also abseiled her way back down. It makes me smile to think how awesome a woman she and her girlfriends (who encouraged her up and cheered her all the way down) will be in the future. It would make me smile hugely too if I got a place on your course to help me find my intuition as I really want to find a way back into the workplace this year after a 10 break (looking after my daughter) so I can set her a great example and hopefully she will smile being proud of me!
Listening to my soul whispers while practicing yoga nidra! So much inspiration and creative juice coming this way! ???
Signing up for a workshop with my favorite author. I can’t believe I’m going to meet her!!
Pinned it!! In my SPIRIT board
Posted it on Facebook :)
Something that has already made me smile in 2018: A simple thing, but taking my beautiful 8-year-old son to see “Peter Rabbit” in the movie theater, where the ticket taker gave him bunny ears to wear during the movie, and laughing with him at scenes of animals talking and causing some havoc in the life of a man who desperately needed to lighten up a bit. I’m also smiling this year because I am making some progress on my goal to read more with 6 books completed so far with a good start on two additional books. Oh, and Susannah, your pictures of beautiful Cat. Those make me smile. :)
Pinned it!
Shared the picture on Instagram (but my profile is set to private — I tagged you and linked to your IG profile, though). :)
Facebooked it (and tagged you — I hope that wasn’t too much!). :)
Shared on Twitter
Facebooked it – with pleasure!
So much smiling.
A new puppy, puppy breath, puppy love.
A new job, new skills, renewed sense of purpose.
A new grandson on the way, the anticipation of new love.
My darling granddaughter, so excited, yet anxious for her sibling.
Life is good, so much smiling.
When my feet first stood on the sand on Havelock island, only a couple of weeks ago, I could not stop smiling.
Happy birthday! I also turned 45, on 25 January, and decided this will be the year when I don’t say “yes” unless it’s a real heart-response YES… and am embracing letting go of the guilt-ridden “shoulds.”
Cheers to an amazing 2018!
What’s already made me smile in 2018? Every time I hear my 17-year-old cat calling my daughter (louder and louder if she doesn’t answer right back!) so they can cuddle up together in her bean bag. Then watching her all rolled up by her side, going back to sleep. :)
Pinned it on Pinterest!
Tweeted it on Twitter! :)
Shared on Instagram! :)
Something that made me smile – meeting up with an old friend :-)
Shared on Facebook xx
Shared on Instagram x
I was at an Argentinean folklore music festival with my parents. As we were listening to a band I turned my head to look back at them. They were looking into each other’s eyes, singing and smiling. That made me smile too. :)
Something that made me smile….a new work colleague, who so ‘gets’ me! We share lots of laughs.
Tweeted!
Pinned on Pinterest!
Being led to this site made me smile <3
Attending Southport Jazz Festival with my husband and watching/listening to a friend play some very fine jazz piano really brought a smile to my face this year. The music, the atmosphere, the company … It was a great night! <3
Thank you for this opportunity, Susannah! I've tweeted, Facebooked, and Instagrammed :)
Hi, I’ve git into the Winter Olympics again in way, and what has lily made me smile is the way sporting events can bringpele together – I cannot get over the way that south and North Koreans have occupied the same space in such an energetic, positive and hopeful way… if only we could take that and bottle it, then world peace may actually one day be a reality! :-)
My intention for 2018 was to be more in tune with my intuition, then along comes this class! Clearly meant to be. Synchronistic, and I am trying to pay more attention to the subtle nudges that come my way. Thank you for this offering!
Something that has made me smile in 2018 :: my two dogs. They constantly leave me smiling and remind me to not take everything in life so seriously. :)
Pinterest – done! :)
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/534591418262035732/
Tweeted the post :)
https://twitter.com/MissRachilli/status/962733419187892224
I have smiled so many smiles because of all my beautiful new Tarot cards and the magic that started happening when I invited them into my life. Loved starting my year with you and the daily guidance course and can’t wait to experience this course too!
(I added to pinterest)
Unexpected snow when I came out of the cinema with my 2 year old today, she thought it was magical!
I’ve smiled a lot over what’s passed of 2018, but recently it’s in the dancing classes I attend that I can’t wipe the smile off my face. And of course every time my sister sends me pictures and videos of my three nieces. Also every time I think that I’ll travel back home see them in four months. I actually smile quite a bit :)
Something that made me smile in 2018 : reading my very first journal from when I was 11 years old (I’m 31 now). I had a huge crush on Brian from the Backstreet Boys and actually thought I could perhaps someday meet him and become his wife! :)
What has made me smile so far 2018:
unexpected flowers from the man of my dreams-my soulmate
picking up my sketchbook again after many years of drought
silliness with my sister-my best friend
2018 began with so many smiles, sailing out to a safe anchorage, watching a massive storm rolling past us and then the rainbow ?? just the start I needed for this year x
Excited to see this course unravel x well done wonderful woman
Shared on Facebook x
Also going to share it the old fashioned way with a bunch of friends on email and telling them, have also shared it to an online women’s sailing forum as being able to connect with our intuition is so helpful to keeping balance.
Thanks Susanah for your inspiration, words and courses they have assisted me to connect to my inner voice and my heart.
Shared on Facebook and Instagram!!!
Thank you for this amazing opportunity!!!
Something that made me smile this year…
What to choose???
Something that made me smile this year was time spent with the beautiful people in my life… Being able to be fully present and in the moment with them and really appreciating how much richness and joy they bring to my life, simply by being in it!!!
Your love letters when they arrive in my inbox.
Sharing space and snuggles with my husband.
When the dog decides he does like me after all and comes for a stroke.
Reading as sunlight streams through the window.
Writing my way across the world (as a travel freelancer from the comfort of my sofa).
Good food, better company.
The fact that condensing smiles in to a short list is really too difficult to achieve.
Thank you for the opportunity :)
Things that have made me smile in 2018….it’s a long list, but I’d love to type out a few:
1) Learning how to use a pressure cooker and cooking so many beans so quickly!
2) Leading a training with a great friend and colleague and finding the perfect sweet spot of productive professional collaboration and fun
3) Moving into a sweet apartment on top of a mountain after 9 months on the road
4) Starting proper Hindi language lessons
Also, I’ve shared on Pinterest! Great job with the new course, Susannah!
One thing that has made me smile so far in 2018 is seeing the word “wild” show up in so many things that I read. Wild is my chosen word for the year — a word that I never previously would have thought because I am always calm. It’s kind of my thing. But wild has taken on new meaning for me in the idea of reclaiming a sense of wild — of nature. And I have been amazed and delighted each time I stumble across this word in a book or a poem.
Pinned it on Pinterest! Woohoo!
Seeing my daughter thrive in her first semester at college. It was so hard to let her go, but watching her light up as she discovers her path, her friends, and her passions has filled me with overwhelming joy. Bittersweet joy connected to a deep river of love. I’ve never felt it so intensely.
Finally seeing my first ever live badger last week has made me smile. I love them, but have only ever seen dead ones by the side of the road.
That and my adorable rescue hamster who’s 22 months old.
Facebooked! :)
Pinterest! :)
Things that have made me smile in 2018: it has actually been a rough year for me. I have already attended 5 funerals this year, and we haven’t even reached the middle of February. However, every time I see a sunset, I smile. When I spend time with my friends and we can laugh together, I smile. A random phone call from someone to say that I am loved causes me to smile. And my family of Instagram friends, followers and acquaintances off to make me smile with their photographs from around the world.
In obedience to the rules above, I have posted an image from this post on my Instagram page and refer to the giveaway.
Pinned it!
My nephew Boo makes me smile and laugh everyday. I love seeing the world through his eyes.
Just tweeted!
My son just turned 13 and we had a wonderful party for him! I returned to work last month after being out on an extended medical leave. I have changed to a 4 day work week which gives me extra breathing room. And I went to a yoga class for the first time in ages! All things to smile about! :)
Shared on:
*Facebook
*Instagram
*Twitter
*Pinterest
And tagged you where I was able! :)
My friends for being a source of love, laughter, and keeping me going when the winter drags on too long.
Thank you for offering this lovely give away!
Seeing my Mum blossom since she has moved in with us – she’d previously been unhappy living with other family members :)
Link shared on Twitter.
Thank you for the chance to win such an amazing prize! I love your photo prompts & the classes I have taken from you. They have been so fulfilling. Congratulations & good luck on this new class ?
What has made me smile so far this year? My dogs….and sunshine…..and friends……and family……..and a hot cup of tea. The little things in life that make me so grateful.
My camera has sparked my creativity so far in 2018
Smiling because I just completed 30 days plus, meditating everyday and moving my body again. After being stuck for so long, I feel momentum starting! I’ve finally accepted life is not going to look as I wanted, and for the first time, I feel Ok with that and smiling about new possibilities:-)
After only six weeks of 2018, there have been so many things to smile about:
-spending time with an old friend after 25 years, spending hours laughing, crying and sharing stories
-receiving art supplies from friends for my birthday after mentioning my interest in watercolor
-reorganizing my desk and closet in preparation for New Year’s (Jan 1st as well as Lunar New Year). I’m ready to have the upcoming year be organized.
-strengthening bonds with new friends and finding so many of them are fellow Aquarians!
Thanks.
_
A smile spreads across my face and heart with each connection I have made because I have taken the time to focus on cultivating relationships this year.
My 5 year old son and his amazingly big compassionate heart lights up my life everyday that I get to spend with him. He started his first year of school this year and has taken it all in his stride from day one. He is so excited to learn and came home and told me he learned the word “persistence” and that it means to never never give up. He then told me the story of a boy who was in a running race and how the boy was getting tired and just wanted to quit, but then persistence told him to keep trying and not to give up. So the boy kept going and tried really hard and ended up winning the race because of his persistence. My son is such a wise soul for only being aged 5. He is constantly teaching me and making me see life from a different angle. I believe I must be the luckiest mother in the entire universe to have the privilege of being is Mummy. ?
Smiles today so far – the scent from the daffs I picked for my desk, the sound of sparrows squabbling in the hedge, my elderly cat curled up on my pillow.
Things that have made me smile this morning: the scent from the daffs I picked for my desk, the sound of sparrows squabbling in the hedge, my elderly cat curled up on my pillow.
I shared the pic on Instagram too :)
Something that made me smile – meeting an Instagram friend in real life and spending an awesome day laughing and talking like we’ve known each other our whole lives (instead of “only” a year). <3
finding your presence on IG after following your blog. being brave and choosing an oracle deck and the recieving an amazing blessing.
I’m so thankful for my coven of witchy friends that I meet with every high holiday. I posted your work on FB and am SO excited for this course. Even if I don’t win, I’m sure I will enroll sooner or later. Thank you!!!
we have the most adorable armadillo living nearby. she visits our yard every once in a while, usually on a day that’s not too cold. my daughter and i are transfixed by her every time we see her. she will poke her nose into the ground and eat, then with a little hop she’ll move to the next spot. she might spend an hour going over our entire front yard. i never realized how cute armadillos were until i met her.
I’m also thankful for being a part of your community! I also pinned this post!
Almost spring! This course would be a perfect way to begin a new season.
Shared on Pinterest.
I have gorgeous friends that are like a cool breeze in my life. They make me smile quite a bit.
One thing that has made me smile this year is my fiance and our couple’s mantra that we engraved into our wedding bands. Just thinking about it is making me smile :)
I have also pinned this on pinterest and tweeted about it! Can’t wait to start the course! xxx
Any post with your cat in it makes me smile. I too have a kitty and was amazed at the way she wormed her way into my heart and taught me how beautiful connections with animals can be.
Watching my 6 year old love up his new kindergarten class this year has made me smile on MULTIPLE school pick up occasions. <3 <3
AND I pinned this <3
I’m gifting myself Your Soul Speaks ecourse as a valentine and birthday gift to myself. Creativity is energizing, nourishing and gives me so much joy. Sneaking this in to my busy schedule in February and March :-)
Just shared on Facebook! :)
I shared your post on Pinterest!
And Facebook!
One thing that made me smile already this year was finally building myself a composting bin from scraps in a guerilla-construction frenzy with my best girlfriend while our husbands were out. Boom!
Cardinals at the bird feeder – such a scarlet red!
Imagine a world where journaling is popular and is a tool used to achieve inner peace, self-discovery and to encourage embracing peace on Earth! If you would like a journaling tip to help you figure out what is next, have a question you’d like to ask me, share a journaling experience/entry, please add your comments below, or send me a message on my website http://joycechapman.
I was recently in South Lake Tahoe, CA visiting a friend. We went on an after dinner walk and oh my goodness the light from the sunset was cascading off the mountains and reflecting so hard off the lake that I couldn’t help but smile. This world is beautiful and it was such a treat to see!
What’s made me smile already in 2018?
Many things… but right now it’s Bertie, my long-hared miniature dachshund who after a frosty walk is now happily snoozing & snoring loudly on the end of my bed! Bless his little socks…. x
Just facebooked it! ???
One thing that has made me smile this year is bringing my cat for visits to my parents — they are delighted to spoil their “grandkitty” and he gets to explore a new place (and gets twice the number of pets).
One thing that made me smile this year has been pouring over maps with my 9-year old son as we plan for an epic west coast (USA) road trip this spring. Dreaming, learning, connecting – such delight!
I would so looove to win this class! What makes me smile also is my dog… how she is always happy to greet me at the end of the day. I am recently separated, and on the weeks that I do not have my daughters, this doggy gives a bit of solace to my heart. Thank you dear Suzanne!
Something that’s already made me smile in 2018 was seeing my daughter’s joy over her Valentine’s Day gifts from her sweetheart, another smile was listening to her tell me about overhearing her boss (1st job) praising her to someone.
It’s beautiful watching her blossom and glow in so many ways this past year.