my imaginary world

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice —
(Mary Oliver, The Journey)

Braveheart, I know (from decades of experience) that daily sequences, lunar practices and choosing books to read and words to guide is a saving grace.

It is a way of creating your own imaginary world; space for you to flourish and find respite away from “the shouting voices.”

• Collecting data about our habits and patterns that facilitate daily sequences and lunar practices that are doable (achievable — without self-loathing, constant-comparison, trying-hard and then giving up).

Compiling book-notes and quotations (along with participating in book discussions) represent a major part of my right brain planning practice.

• Words are guides and offer starting points — self-chosen cues to redirect your thoughts and actions; prompts for a different perspective.
  • Words can also serve as points of summary, closure, resolve and inspiration.
  • Using single words or phases also helps to sharpen your focus and intent.

I started journaling through Keri Smith’s The Imaginary World of _____ as part of a monthly book discussion in 2022; it was hosted by my friend, Mandy, of Secret Message Society — and I decided to review the themes again this year.

• This book currently serves as my full moon journal (where I journal on and around the day of the full moon).
  • January | February | March* | April | May | June | July
• During 2022, this book helped to influence my [alignment] — and I believe this year (2023) it will contribute to my practice of [belonging] to myself in new and exciting ways!
  • Posts from 2022: January | February *1 *2 | May, menu post | new moon | live your values | August

Choosing the guide words [attention] (the theme of the 2022 Right Brain Planner® Annual Kit) and [align] — followed by [reframe] during 2022 helped me to envision + transport myself into my life now, to create my-self; to hold space with whatever I am feeling (instead of pressing through it or avoiding it).

I share about all of this because it is what I encourage you to consider regarding your creative practice, your right brain planning, visual journals or whatever the details are for your practice.

• It is my wholehearted wish to encourage and model ways to:
  • prioritize self-compassion (over harsh expectations and shoulds)
  • set aside time for your-self and your creativity
  • chronicle words and miscellany that interests and inspire you (a personal “bibliography”)
    • [words as guides]
  • express your feelings and thoughts and desires with your art (instead of creating for approval and “Likes”)

“I have never written a book that was not born out of a question I needed to answer for myself.” -May Sarton

Braveheart, our journals and planners are the books we write for ourselves.

And any day can be Day One …

Thank you kindly for your presence here, Braveheart. ♥

I appreciate your interest and support.

~love & good wishes~