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Kris Carr

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Why I Journal and So Should You (+ 7 Creative Journal Prompts!)

Hiya Gorgeous,

Journaling is a powerful tool at the center of my spiritual practice.

Like juicing, eating kale and loving animals, journaling makes me a healthier person. Today I want to share what my journaling practice does for me, because I think it can do a lot for you too.

You don’t have to be a professional writer to benefit from a regular journaling practice. You don’t have to believe you’re creative or talented either. Who cares about skill? I still misuse a semicolon.

All you need to do is show up and explore (and some good journal prompts can be super helpful, so I’m sharing some of my faves today—keep reading!). Trust me, if you do it enough, it will change the way you connect with yourself and others. And if you pay attention to the patterns in your writing, it will teach you a lot about your habits and beliefs, not to mention your goals. In fact, this one simple practice is the #1 way I’ve hit every major goal I have ever achieved. From being on The Oprah Winfrey Show, to becoming a New York Times bestselling author, to building an extraordinary marriage and supporting my own health as a cancer thriver.

Personally, I journal to connect with my soul.

I write what I need to say. I tell the truth and often let my inner guidance system take the wheel. But most of all, I write to get to know myself at the deepest level—to better understand what I want, how I want to feel, and what’s troubling (or exciting) me.

If I’m struggling with something, I turn to the page. When I’ve got an observation or a great memory I don’t want to lose, I spend a luxurious amount of time jotting it down and musing on my feelings about it. This definitely helps when I’m mining stories for a project (my brain doesn’t hold as much as it use to—thankfully my journals hold it all). But it also helps me feel more capable of working out my own issues and problems, of connecting with my wise higher self, rather than relying on too much external feedback and conflicting opinions.

I find it useful to ask myself questions and then scribble answers or walk around the room mumbling until I know what I want to say. Yes, I become that crazy lady (with awesome cats or in my case—dogs) who talks to herself and gestures.

Psst! Journaling has been a game changer for me when it comes to dealing with stress. So much so that I even created my own Results Journal to share the exact system I’ve used for years. I credit it with reaching all my biggest successes—building a thriving business, being one of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100 and growing the beautiful relationship I have with my husband, Brian. Want to dip your toe into the magic as well? Grab your copy below!

Here are a few of the journal prompts I turn to when I need inspiration.

Choose the journal prompts that speak to you and write them down in the front of your journal. Pick one to explore several mornings per week. I promise you’ll uncover some interesting shizzle.

  • How are you feeling?
  • What could make this day even better?
  • What does your body say about this idea or decision?
  • What are you grateful for?
  • What’s not working?
  • What lessons can you learn from this?
  • What’s your intention for the day?

Learn from your journaling but don’t censor or judge it.

You may not always like what you see, but guess what? You’re not supposed to present your perfect self in your personal pages. We often imagine someone looking over our shoulder, so we’re careful. We don’t write about sex or that weird kink we have about crumbs. We think that historians will be looking back on our lives crafting a special for PBS, so we’re “appropriate.” Forget the historians and be yourself! Doing so will connect you to your authentic power and that’s when life gets really juicy. Doors open. Dreams come true. Love blossoms… and so on.

If it makes you feel safer, lock up your journals. Buy chains and razor wire. Do whatever it takes to be real. Because your writing (soul) craves truth. And sometimes the real you will go through some stinky ass shit. That’s normal! Life isn’t meant to exist in a narrow color spectrum of perpetual happiness. That’s a movie. It’s not reality. Experience all your vivid, fiery, watery emotions. Give yourself permission to be full bodied. You’re peeling. Revealing. It’s a messy, magnificent process. So don’t be narrow or mean. No judgy editors allowed!

Show up and write (use the journal prompts!). Then do that again and again. Got it? Fabulous!

Now it’s your turn. Go write something!

I love you!

Peace & pens,

Add a comment
  1. Jivan Dios says:

    Thanks for reminding us of the power of journaling. I used to practice it a long time ago, and I now feel inspired to start again. Thank you, dear Kris!

  2. Annette Brown says:

    I have your beautiful journal as a gift from my daughter & would like to know how to get my daily reminders. Thanks Annette Brown

  3. Annette Brown says:

    I have the journal but how do I get free journal jumpstart

  4. Kate says:

    I have journaled off and on over the years. Sometimes it is just a what happened when and less often it is about what is truly going on. I think I am afraid to have it found and read… I worry about what people would think if they read my true feelings! I keep so much inside…I will give it a go…????

  5. Shell F. says:

    Thank you Kris, for these inspiring and thought provoking prompts. Love is a contact sport and a mirror into places that sometimes are too scarey to step into in exploration.
    It’s easier if there is illumination.
    Thank you for always shining that light in all you do and all you generously share.
    Much warmth and love to you.

  6. Carol says:

    I wrote journal since I was a little girl. When I write jounal I have the fear whather my writing is appropriate and what the historians or others will think about me, so I am not quite myself. I am planning to be myself and write what is authentic to me. Thank you for your great post! Love you and your post always!

    • Jennifer says:

      Hey Carol! This is Jennifer from Team Crazy Sexy. Kris talked a bit about that in a Wellness Wednesday video she did awhile back. Here’s a link to the video, and at about 16 minutes in she talks about fears around journals being for your eyes only, and how we worry about exactly what you’re mentioning – the historians that will say, “hmmm, well, Carol missed a comma here…” Be YOU, Carol, we love you exactly as you are.

  7. Terry Fest says:

    Journal BOX: This is a box they will receive when I have left our life here together. A gift that will present itself as I have, with humor and love. I am putting in their box only a few things. 1. A pillow – small that I found = it is deep purple with sparkling words that say ‘MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL, I AM MY MOTHER AFTR ALL”. IT IS SMALL WITH FRINGES IN SILVER AS WELL. TOTALLY ME. 2. Journal. I have a clipboard with notebook paper, nothing fancy. I pick it up frequently and just write something that was on my mind. Like, I made a card for a friend because……I cooked something that made me think of them, I felt loved by them for some reason, a movie I enjoyed. Notes to them about why I made decisions like politics, or a trip we took, or a book I read. I listed all the books I have loved to date. I gave them recipes that are family favorites that may have been lost otherwise. I told each of them what I love about them and how they make me proud. It is unplanned, not punctuated or written with a perfect pen. It is just as I am, truly, inconsistent but real. It is a work in progress. I am adding lose photos in a folder. I will add a piece of jewelry I really loved that will just be a reminder I am near always. I shared this with my husband who thought it was morbid. That is ok with me because it shows how different we are in this artistic expressive way, and that is ok. My girls would expect that of their father, whom they adore. I will tell you this, since losing my own mother it would have been so amazing to me to have had something like this from her. The goal is to keep it positive, memorable and purposeful. We know the heavy stuff we lived through. The beauty of this project is how it made me realize that my daughters and I have left nothing unsaid. That is why this box can be fun. We have been open, honest, supportive, non-judgmental and have a wonderful time sharing in each other’s lives and families. Life just as I had always dreamed it would be. We are fortunate. I will put a copy of these notes in each box, as I wanted them each to receive the exact same writings from me showing them equal love and honesty. I copy it each page I add so it is up to date when that day comes that my project becomes the actual gift in hand. 2nd JOURNAL: The other journal I have made is beautiful with leather, jewels, and trinkets hanging in the finding. The beautiful thick torn papers that make it a handmade art piece. It is complete. I filled with writings about ME, my life from birth. I wrote about my childhood, siblings, best friends, school, then teen years, marriage, family, personal goals and disappointments. If someone were to pick it up and read it they would know me. I did not detail particular experiences but highlighted events and life-changing decisions. Books and hobbies and what made me happy. I love the way it turned out and enjoy reading it myself. In closing, in true journal style and encouragement from this community, I am not editing this and I did not read it again before posting. This was a fun share. Kindest Bessings to one and all, may you find your own journaling path.

  8. Kelly says:

    I love this post. It’s so hard to explain to others sometimes why I love to blog but you hit the nail on the head…it’s more for me than anything else. If I can happen to touch someone else’s life in a positive way in addition, that is just icing on the cake 🙂

    xoxo,
    Kelly @inmyflowkelly

  9. Robin Parvis says:

    I know I can, I know I can, I know I can…
    Do the work, Robin. Write!
    Where do I begin?
    What do I want to read?
    What do I need to say? Oh so much, but to whom?
    Be still and know. Know thyself. To thyn own self be true.
    The truth. Start with the truth. The truth will set you free.
    I might be on to something…
    I need to start mine own self a blog, but my biggest fear is that it will be full of errors, as I am an awful editor.
    Do the work, Robin. Write! Write now, edit later.
    Maybe tomorrow.

  10. Or Shahar says:

    I rediscovered writing not so long ago when I started my blog and it is indeed a very satisfying thing.
    I especially agree with how the understanding that life is not a movie is really important to the process. Not only when writing “to yourself” but also with blogging or social media, the power of honest and transparent writing (like Kris writing;) is huge.

  11. Shanna says:

    Kris, I write. Meaning…I’m getting back to writing. But THIS is what I want to tell you: THANK YOU for the terms of endearment around every corner of your blog posts. Girl…I saw a vlog in which you admonish, ‘Can you just get off your own ass’…meaning…’Stop beating yourself up…now.’ You had soft eyes. You asked us to just be kind to ourselves. It was a revolutionary idea for me…self-love. After that…from Kris Carr…a never-ending flow of ‘gorgeous’, ‘darling’, ‘dear one’ and ‘sweetheart’. And guess what? It works! Your kindness is working to spread Love. Kris…thank you. Sweet, dear Kris…THANK YOU!

  12. Dianne says:

    Dear Kris Carr:

    Hi! My name is Dianne! I am recently turned 46 years old diagnosed since Friday with ductal carcinoma. Just starting this journey. I reached out to CTCA 888 number listed on their site and Mark answered. I told him MY STORY and he decided to email me your video CrazySexyCancer. Mark said, they show your video during training. I watch it over and over. YOUR HAVE GIVEN ME HOPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you!!! I can relate and I have the same outlook and belief as yours. I believe we have the “survivor” personality. I have already learned so much. I am going to the surgeon this Thursday to learn the PLAN for this diagnosis. Anyway, again, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for your video. It is helping me greatly!! I am planning to keep in touch with you. I would love to meet you!!!! My journey is just beginning.

    Thank you,

    Dianne M. Harretos BGS, LPN, “LIFE”
    219.299.4417
    diannemharretos@gmail.com

  13. Jen says:

    Thank you! That’s very inspiring and will help me take my writing to the next level.

  14. Jen says:

    I love you down to earth real realness, Kris. It is true that we are too bound up by convention, our fears, just ourselves.

  15. What an inspiring post! Since starting my blog in January and finally being honest about my breast cancer journey I feel like a different person. Not only am I blogging to inspire others but really I am doing it to inspire myself. XO

  16. Dena says:

    I just want to say that I think you are amazing! I just found your site about a week ago and I think that all the information and more importantly inspiration that you give others is truly awesome and beautiful! Thank you!

  17. karenget says:

    Thanks but help me publish my book.

  18. M says:

    I have long been inspired by your journey, your honesty, your recovery, and your ministry (my words, but I feel that about you). So many of your words have touched me, but this particular blog was extra special. That’s the way it is with words, and life ~ sometimes they merge at just the right moment, and people/feelings/life changes as a result.
    I needed this reminder very much.
    Thank you for this, and all the rest, which is more than words and feelings could ever convey.
    Blessings to you, and joy!

    M

  19. kirsten says:

    Writing my “morning pages” has saved my life, completely transformed me and given me access to my inner wisdom. So cool. It is beautiful how such simple things have universal power for us humans. Thanks Kris.

  20. Thank you so much for this Kris… for the reminder about how writing has been a spiritual practice for me and how ‘practice’ (regular-ness, consistency, commitment) is the operative word!
    I’ve written in personal journals all of my adult life and get so much out of it. But lately have let that practice become more sporadic.
    I also started blogging a while back – and found myself inconsistent and sporadic there too. I loved what you said about finding stories for projects in the writing that you’ve already captured.
    And I love this inspiration you’ve sparked in me to come back to a practice of nourishing my relationship with myself regularly. Great prompts!

  21. Sophie says:

    i’ve been thrilling to write but i always stuck with idea…and now you just gave me an inspiration to write. Thanks for giving me a wake up call. love you!

  22. Leonie says:

    Just thank you 🙂 The reminder and butt-kickin’ motivation I needed to restart my journal habit.

    Thank you.
    Love
    Leonie

  23. Kylie Warry says:

    Thanks Kris, you are soooo right! I weirdly started journal writing a few weeks before I was diagnosed with cancer. I just felt the need to write. I’ve now kept a daily journal which made my blog come alive with ease once I was well enough to do it.

    You are an inspiration – wish you were closer would love to share a sexy green juice with you!
    Love your work xx

  24. Abe Stone says:

    Well put Kris,

    I think the biggest hurdle in my life and I’m sure others is the censoring you mention. We live out lives through filters and judgment. Writing is a way to get around that, so take advantage of that.

    Then there are those things we write that can help others if we let them out. That’s why I blog as well.

    x

  25. SANS SOUCI says:

    tHANKS KRIS….I NEED TO GET BACK TO WRITING. I SAID SOMETHING TO A DEAR FRIEND AND SHE WON’T ACCEPT APOLOGY…JEREMY HAD TOLD ME TO WRITE MY THOUGHTS…THANKS FOR REMINDING ME THAT I NEED TO DO IT. TO LESSEN THE HURT OF HER NO LONGER CARING….ALSO NEED TO WRITE ON THE ISSUES I COPE WITH EACH DAY AND HOPEFULLY CAN ACCEPT THEM BETTER THEN I DO. ALSO, AM ALONE ALOT SO WRITING WILL BE LIKE TALKING.
    HAVE A GREAT DAY SOUCI

  26. Oh, I love, love me some writing! Love journaling with color too… Wether it be colored pencils, colored pens, markers (even crayola), paint, watercolor…. Something! It’s real! It’s refreshing! Cranson’s blue spiral Mix media journal from Micheals/Dick blick is perfect for this. Oh cut, paste and glue stuff from your everyday life… a simple glue stick works great!

  27. Julie says:

    Thank you so much for this *hugs* I do blog but the thing is, in trying to write the ‘perfect’ or ‘right’ post, sometimes, nothing comes out at all. This leaves me frustrated and tense. Your tips are just so perfect! After reading this, I’m absolutely going to give myself permission to just write to myself, no filters! Thank you! x

    • Kris Carr says:

      Perfectionism only holds us back sweet Julie. Keep loosening those reigns. Our writing needs breathing room. It also needs triumph AND failure. Allow for it all. Just write. :)!!!! xo

  28. MARY says:

    I lost my mother this year, and I was encouraged to journal by a friend. I haven’t started, but as usual, Kris is there to nudge us along, and your timing is alway spot on, how do you do that??? I have a question. Do you have to physically write down the words, is the actual act of writing part of the experience, or can you type or use Siri to dictate as well? I spent the morning after my mom died, lingering at the Hospice facility, which I found very soothing, and dictated my thoughts and feelings into my iphone about how I felt during the last few days I spent with her there. I haven’t even read the notes yet, I’m not ready. But I’ll take time this week to print them out and start the healing process and make them the first page of my journal. Thanks Kris, for the push, you’re amazing!

  29. Margie says:

    You are SO amazingly gorgeous, natural, exuberant for life and infectious in that exuberance. Thanks Chris. Loads of love,
    Margie from N.Z. 🙂 xxx

  30. y says:

    You’re awesome! I needed to hear this. <3

  31. Nancy says:

    Love your writing prompts Kris. They are like taking the highway to your inner truths. A great starting point on a journey of yourself. Writing always gives me the clarity I need to make wise choices and be in touch with my authentic self. Thanks for your weekly words of wisdom. Reading your blog always leaves me feeling happy and hopeful.

  32. Victoria says:

    I have started to journal when a childhood memory pops up, from eating/smelling certain food, a word, phrase; what joy of the moment I have seen, such as stars twinkling in the night sky and how I feel living/reliving those. It’s awe-some. 🙂

  33. deb says:

    Thanks so much, honey! This is EXACTLY what needed to hear today! xoxo

  34. Matt Jager says:

    I love the brash authenticity here Kris. “Life isn’t meant to exist in a narrow color spectrum of perpetual happiness. That’s a movie. It’s not reality.” It’s so true. And it seems harder to remember that we all have deep struggles as we become more digital. Writing is such a difficult thing for me, but I know it’s valuable so I’ve been making it happen recently. I have always written songs and poetry to get me through the difficult times, and now I’m working on writing when I’m happy as well! Thanks for using your writings to inspire!

  35. Kari says:

    Hi Kris! As always, your insight is both boldly big-picture and full of beautiful little gems. What would we do without you?! Love and gratitude. -Kari

  36. Bonnielove Evoy says:

    You are magnificent Kris! Just this morning I realized I needed to journal,… its been a while. I have been in a slump but didn’t want to face it. So I wrote about the paradox of gratitude. Being so focussed on being grateful for the wonderful life I have and nature and security blah, blah……that I was in denial about some of my poopy-bum-shitty-ass-smelly feelings of loneliness, overwhelm, confusion, stuckness and lethargy. So I wrote and wrote, and it felt good. LaterI see this lovely, blog of yours re-affirming that it is ok not to always be Bonnie Sunshine farting sparkles and rainbows. I am grateful for You, beautiful You Kris!!!!

  37. Jacqueline says:

    A great scab was just ripped off a 14-yr-old wound–and I am wracked with sobs. I have been trying to get back to the lifeline of journaling for the past month that I used to rely faithfully on, but have just been sputtering. Your post with your lovely understanding and inspiring energy just broke through my cover.

    When my ex-husband and I separated in 2001, he stole all of my journals (I had kept them since I was 12 thinking I would want to remember what it was like when I had kids of my own, and later, to cope with incest and abuse recovery as guided by my counselor and recovery programs and workbooks.) I used them to vent frustrations with motherhood and marriage, as well as to tap into the wisdom of my dreams, my inner guidance, and spiritual explorations.

    Our first day in court I discovered he had photocopied about 1500 pages worth, analyzed them with his mother’s help, and highlighted and categorized them into sections, and had his lawyer submit them to court without my knowledge. He tried to use my work to take away my children, humiliate me, and break my spirit, all so outside of court he could try to coerce me into staying in the marriage because “he really loved me.”

    I thought I had healed from this violation that cut so deeply many years ago, but apparently more needed to be released. I am grateful it has now been revealed so I can again trust this beloved process of self-knowing.

    • Kris Carr says:

      Jacqueline, cry as much as you need to (rage too) no one should ever experience what you went through. I’m so glad this helped you and I hope you can feel safe enough to write again, remember what I said, it’s OK to lock them up and protect them. Do whatever you need to do to get your writing going again. You are loved–by me. xo kc

    • L says:

      Jacqueline, I am so terribly sad to read what happened to you. I write often, and I know it is soooo personal and private. I hope you can learn to trust again. In the meantime, Julia Cameron’s book ‘Artist’s Way’ suggests shredding the pages after writing each morning. It’s kind of freeing, actually, to not need them anymore —like you’ve released something for good. Just a thought… xo

  38. Anne says:

    Hey Kris! What an amazing post. I’ve been writing for over fifteen years. It’s a nostalgic feeling reading through through my thought processes and my feelings from my late 20’s to now my early 40’s. Lots of things have changed in my life but who I am hasn’t. I can see that in my writing. I’m forever thankful that I started doing this all those years ago.

  39. Hannah says:

    I JUST set up a blog for the first time (minutes ago.) I feel so excited and the first article I saw in my newly set-up feed was this. Thank you for inspiring me and making me think “this is right.” Xxx

  40. cara says:

    I just read your article on writing it gave me a little hope I have struggled with depression most of my life and writing was a special place for me but I abandoned it but now I’m reconsidering it as it can help me with my depression . Kris you are an inspiration to me I do believe what you have to say because you’ve been in very dark places I think if you can make it thru what you been thru I can make it thru my dark places. You are such blessing to all of us, thank you!

  41. Daphne van der Goot says:

    Hi Kris!

    I think I really needed this post! Started writing when I was 13, but recently I didn’t feel like doing it anymore.. But now all my experiences and thoughts seem to just get stuck in my head. I’m having a lot of problems sleeping and writing might just be the solution to that. Seems to be cathartic anyway, so why not give it a go 🙂 Thanks, great timing 😀

    Love from the Netherlands!

  42. Thank you!

    I never thought I’d be the kind of person that would NEED to write. I mean, who has time for THAT? It started with recipes, now I write every day, whether it’s pen to paper in one of my journals scattered about, a blog post for something I need to learn, somewhere to share gratitude, or piss and moan, or writing stuff for others to share.

    I always feel better. If I go too long without letting some words out I feel constipated 🙂

  43. Absolutely Kris, thank you for this post!!
    Writing is an essential practice for keeping the internal environment healthy and clear. (I’d say pen or pencil and paper are better for this than keyboard .)
    Have you come across proprioceptive writing?
    If not, I think you’ll love it. Here’s a link
    http://radix00.com/PWriting_Main/landing/the-practice-of-pw/
    (I’m not in anyway affiliated, just an enthusiastic user of this method)
    xx
    Veronika

  44. Maureen says:

    Kris, I recently bought 3 journals…yes, 3 because I can’t just pick one. It’s been 1 year since my b/l mastectomy. My 1 year check up has come back really (and I mean really) good so I’ve decided it’s time for me to open up and start writing again. Writing was what I loved to do in high school. I’ve learned this past year did not come with an instruction book and that each of us dealing with cancer takes different roads, drives fast or drives slow, finds windy roads, steep hills, unexpected construction sites and also finds some pretty sweet joyrides along the way. I need to write this down so I can remember how I felt, how my family was doing and where my head and heart were at that moment. Your blog came at the perfect time. I was praying, meditating this morning thinking about this and once again your blog pops up in my email like a little reminder to stop thinking about stuff and just do it. So today I will start. I promise to be honest with myself first. I promise to be proud of myself as I delve into this and I promise to have fun, laugh, cry, and look for the good each day I pick up my pen, pencil or crayon. Thank you for being here for all of us each day. I hope you keep these notes from all of us and continue to read them on your good and bad days. Be reminded daily that you really DO help so many of us with your humor, kindness and passion for life. Thanks from your friend in Colorado xoxo

    • Kris Carr says:

      Thank you sweet Maureen, and yes, I sure do keep all the beautiful words from my readers. They help me so much. xo kc

  45. Such a fantastic reminder! Writing is indeed great for the soul. Thank you for this post and bringing out the best in us all! xo

  46. Bea says:

    WOW WOW WOW!!!
    I was just thinking this morning how great I used to feel when I wrote everyday and how ‘maybe’ I should start again. Hello wink from the Universe!! Thank you Kris for being the vehicle to bring the message home to me, now I know it wasn’t just my mind wandering but a message from a Higher Source.
    I especially LOVE your suggestion of those questions….brilliant!

    My journal journey begins again….
    Thanks Kris!!

  47. Janet says:

    Just this morning while driving into work I decided to focus on one thing I wanted to be. The affirmation, “I am a fearless writer” popped into my head. Then your blog post landed in my inbox an hour later. Thank you for some specific tools for how to approach the writing process and the encouragement to get started. This is very helpful, Kris. xoxo

  48. Jorge says:

    Hi Kris, thanks a lot for this article. I think it was really a blessing for me to have found you few months ago. I mean, your work, or part of it :-). For this article in particular, it is a fortunate coincidence for me you have issued it today. Last Sunday I was cleaning my space (a sort of “sanctuary” I have in the attic) with all my musical instruments, books, electrical wires and devices, etc. Depending on my mood, that space can be a music studio, an electrical engineering lab, an office or a library. When cleaning and selecting old stuff to be discarded, I found an old note book where I used to write my feelings and thoughts between 1986 and 1995. I actually had wrote the word “Feelings” on the cover. I didn’t look at it for so many years and this Sunday, I cried when reading the notes I recalled my memories, my disappointments, adventures and plans for the future I had that time. It was interesting to understand that, as a teenager, I was already making clear plans for the type of life I wanted for me, the kind of woman I would like to have with me, how I could treat my family and the steps I needed to follow to take care of my friends, my education and professional path. It also revealed how fortunate and happy I am today! I am glad I have found my old notes but regret I have stopped writing in 1995, when I moved to another country to study in a University. Today I have decided to recover that good habit I had in the past and I will try to fill the huge gap in the time line with those memories and personal stories I didn’t write. My family and I thank you very much for the great source of inspiration. We love you Kris!

  49. Ann says:

    Kris — and all blog readers —

    have you read *The Artist’s Way* by Julia Cameron? She’s a huge advocate for writing every day, using a technique she calls Morning Pages. It’s a wonderful, inspiring book — definitely something worth checking out, especially for those with whom this post resonates.

    • Kris Carr says:

      Ann, great suggestion, I totally agree! That was my first introduction to myself and what inspired me to become a life long journaler and then writer. 🙂

    • Dian says:

      Ann, I loved that book and wrote my pages everyday. Now I seem to just write every morning, but just about what’s going on in my head and life. Would love to figure out how to blog one day. Can’t seem to get started.
      @ Kris! Wow! That book was your start. Love you and all your posts. Thank you!!

  50. Kimarie Green says:

    This article was just what I needed. You are so right!! I have known the truth of what you say – but you have inspired me to actually do it. THANK YOU!

  51. Koya says:

    I’m not crazy about writing. I’d rather talk…I’ve purchased many journals but have yet to fill one. I’m claiming this time will be different. I have a lot to share so I’ll give it another shot. Thanks for your inspiration

  52. Kris, This is so profound in its simplicity and I love that! It had been awhile since I’d written a blog post (or anything else for that matter), whereas I used to write a blog post weekly and in my morning pages daily (for more than 6 months). On Sunday night I was feeling restless and felt the urge to write and I’m so happy to have answered that call. Not only did it help me sort my own thoughts out and share my story with others but it reminded me of a vital piece of myself. Telling stories is part of who I am and writing is a great way for me to do that, without me having to wait to be cast in a show. I will definitely be sharing this article!

  53. Donna says:

    I’m crying reading this and I don’t know why! Or, do I? Am I so flippen afraid to get to know “myself”? WOW! “What’s really going on”? This struck a cord with me, I’ll tell you!

    Guess I needed this lesson today my friend! My SOUL knows I NEED to DO this!

    Thank you Kris!! Love n’ Light

    XXOOss!

    Donna

  54. Paulette says:

    I have a trusted, long-distance friend whom I’ve been emailing every day for over ten years. We write about our successes and failures, our worries and fears, our hopes and dreams, our anger and regrets. We encourage and console and scold each other, give and take advice. For that reason, writing is extremely therapeutic for us. It’s our version of journaling. And over the years we have gradually learned that we can open up, sharing our deepest selves, knowing that it is safe to do so. It’s a rare gift. For us, that feedback is part of what makes it so valuable, and is something I don’t get from journaling. I wonder if that is why people blog: they like to put their thoughts down in writing, and then see what kind of response it evokes from others?

  55. Trish says:

    This is fantastic, Kris. (As always!). I love what you do, I love what you write, I love YOU, and I love the people who reply to your articles.

    @Stephanie – go for it! Write that blog, girl. So many people will benefit from your story and experiences.

    Namaste from PA,
    Trish

  56. Victoria says:

    My best friend has been writing like that for years & it really helps her. I do it every now & again & when I do it love it! I need to make more time for writing, thank you for the reminder

  57. Kellie says:

    Hey Kris
    I love this post. You are so write! Get it? I have journaled for as long as I can remember and love going back every once and a while. I crack up when I read something I was struggling with or some deep thing I wrote and think. “Man, I was the bomb!” I just started a blog a couple of months ago and find it funny how many times I change what I wrote because I worry what someone might think. It only works when I write in my style.
    Kellie from Princess and the Yard Ape

  58. Jane says:

    Hi Kris, What a great post! I am a firm believer in writing too and all it does for your heart and soul, not to mention, your brain. In my book, Choosing Happiness After Divorce, there is a writing prompt for each week, because writing let’s us dig deep and figure things out! Writing is also good for people with chronic disease, easing the depression that often accompanies it, and often times helping with the healing process. Thanks for sharing and I hope a lot of readers out there will give it a try! Writing is awesome!

  59. Andrea says:

    I write daily, for the exact same reasons!! And when I go back to it randomly, I am always amazed about the wisdom that I have in me when I write without really thinking. Yesterday I started with just a thought that quickly turned into six some pages later in my journal. It is all the wisdom of the higher self that makes itself known through the writing.

  60. Cassie says:

    I love these lifestyle tips you share with us. I do journal. However, it has become a “when I have time” endeavor. I’m saving those prompts, and trying to get back to it on a more regular basis.

  61. Stephanie says:

    this was the answer to all of my uncertainties about writing and exposing myself! I have MS and I’ve contemplated the idea of starting a blog and sharing my story and experiences. This post makes me feel that much more motivated to do it. Thank you!

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