Uniquely Yours Craft Journal

Dear Fellow Journalers,

When was the last time you received a letter (not an email) or wrote one? I dare say, it’s been awhile. When you receive a letter from someone the writer usually goes into more detail and you are drawn into their lives. Often times we are all so busy that we think a quick email does the trick. In reality, a letter is what is really needed. You can’t tell your friend all about your new baby or your grandchild in an email. You need to “gush” over all the minute details and an email just isn’t the place for that, is it? Could you journal a letter and then copy parts of it?

There are benefits to journaling with letters. The experience helps organize the event. You can see cause and effect sequences of your actions and you’ll develop your writing style. So how do you start?

1. Complete a list of people who you want to write a letter to. Do this as a journal entry.

2. Select a letter style or purpose for writing. There are many different styles – here are a few:

• Milestone letter. Writing about an event that changed your life is important because you understand how the even changed your perspective.

• Release letter. These letters allow you to vent and express your deepest emotions. Right now, you’re already thinking of examples of this style, aren’t you? For those of you who need a push, try thinking about a time when you had a conversation with someone who didn’t see your point of view. All those “I should have said” words tumble around in your head for days. Write them in a letter journal. At the point of completion, you can send the letter or save it. Be sure to read my Un-Sent Journal posts later this year.

• Have you ever been tempted to buy something rather expensive that you really didn’t need? Writing a release letter to yourself in your journal is a way to express why you want that “perfect something” and why you want it. You might just discover that you really don’t want it!

1. Letter of gratitude. Being thankful for big and little things and writing it down enables you to see how the gift or experience helped you become a more grateful and compassionate person.

‘Til next time,

~Sallie