I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Tutorial so far: Introductory blog post- mindmap tutorial week Part 1: What is a mindmap? TODAY: PART 2 OF 7: The Big Vision You may recall my journey with mindmaps using: Right-brain entrepreneur Jennifer Lee…
Category: Journal
Journal/Image Idea File of the month from private collection.
Mindmap Tutorial Week Part 1 of 7: What is a mindmap?
I am diving into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! Recall: Introductory blog post- mindmap tutorial week Today: Part 1 of 7: What is a mindmap? Mindmaps (or mind maps– but I prefer the one word version) are essentially visual diagrams. Wikipedia definition: A mind…
Mindmap tutorial week on the blog!
Getting ready to dive into a much-needed new mindmap this week, so I thought I’d create a tutorial during my process! What to expect: Part 1: What is a mindmap? Part 2: The big vision Part 3: Stream of consciousness mapping Part 4: Prioritizing/consolidating/connecting Part 5: Enhancing Part 6: Addressing Part 7: Reviewing What you…
Lilla My #fanart custom made composition books.
I love customizing composition books. Prepping a new one for today. I am particularly in love with this one so I’m making this version available to you! Lilla My fan art custom made composition books: Ready to contain your hopes, wishes, dreams, ramblings, musings, to-do’s, purges, goals etc. A safe place to vent as you…
Dear future me… Empowering exercise designed by @peterbreeze
I was so honored to take part in a taste-test workshop last Saturday designed and facilitated by Peter Breeze (co-facilitated by Odin in Germany. Participants included Kany, Annalise and Mariel). Very special day! I’ve been developing a workshop for over a year and today I finally shared my ideas and exercises with these special people….
Pay attention to the birds: Part 6- Starling
Ah, the birds— and their delightful ways— this time of year in particular. I just LOVE watching them! And I love when I feel something extra special in a particular moment that makes me stop and pay attention. The other day, I observed a flock of starlings. I know many people call them rats, greasy…
“Dear me…” Write a letter to your younger self.
What would you write to younger you today? There is so much I want to write to that little anxious girl. I haven’t written my letter yet, but it will come. For now, I give that little girl a knowing nod and whisper- you are perfect as you are. We have outgrown our container and…
10 Tuesdays. 10 Fridas. Frida No. 4: Frida and her Magic Cone of Truth
I’m celebrating my blog with an art event. The event honors the woman who inspires me to keep it going as an artist: Frida Kahlo. — For 10 Tuesdays, I am creating/posting 10 different portraits of Frida Kahlo in some form/medium or another. It may be a drawing, an object, a doll, whatever… A surprise. I…
Slingshot: limbo anticipation? #journal #ramblings
I’ve been mulling over the slingshot image for a few days now. I have been recognizing a darkness and a certain kind of fatigue in the air of late. In many in my circle. Certainly in me. I feel like I am being pulled backward, downwards– just when I thought I had it all figured…
ART SALE: One-of-a-kind journals
One-of-a-kind journals with hand-drawn, embroidered covers containing 12 of my original journaling exercises — — — I have been developing a little project for awhile now, inspired by my desires to: • combine my learned lessons from years of facilitating art sessions • reach more people that doesn’t require arranging in-person workshops. But I want to do it in…
Little Brown Mouse Journal Ramblings
Little Brown Mouse Journal Ramblings I have been told in the past that I think TOO BIG. But I have come to realize, I may not be dreaming BIG ENOUGH. * why, oh why do I question [everything]? * *so embarrassed * I have been too timid, too small, too local, too shy… I…
Pay attention to the signs. Badger. #alignment
The image of the badger has been playing in my mind the past few weeks. I really have no idea why. But in the spirit of trusting the signs, I play along. Badger symbolism: (SOURCE) The badger symbolizes aggressiveness, reliance, self-expression, holding ones own, link to the underworld and the magic and…
What happens when you open yourself up? #journal #truth
April 28, 2015 What happens when you open yourself up and share some painful truths? Say that you are with a (safe) person and the door opens to have the conversation. What happens first? The heart beats a little faster. And your breath gets more rapid and shallow. Perhaps the bile rises a bit in…
Self-imposed exile- let it go, let it go.o
Curled up in my chair in self-imposed exile. Wrapped in old knits. Loving less interaction. Loving not working on my to-do’s. Happy to be doing less. Should I worry and fret? Feel guilty? No. Nah. Let it go. Let it all go. So fatigued- let it go. Heavy grief dreams these days- let them go. Dreamt about…
Procrastination embraced. Journal exercise.
If you procrastinate, it has served you in some way. Welcome it! Congratulate yourself. Study its effects in your life, and its gifts – allow yourself to accept and then release your procrastination! – SARK The following journal exercise can take you a few minutes or several weeks- totally up to you! 1. Get a…
Pay attention to the birds: Part 4- Hummingbird
I came across a bush the other day abuzz with crimson hummingbirds. BREATHTAKING. If the hummingbird shows up in your life as a spirit animal, it may remind you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and take time to enjoy yourself. The hummingbird’s wisdom carries an invitation to take part in and draw to you life’s…
Pay attention to the birds: Part 3- Pigeon
Delighted that my dog has entered some kind of remission. One week after believing it was time for that “family meeting,” he is well enough to eat and walk again. He runs like a, somewhat lame, puppy after his bath- so it’s all good for now. I savour every minute with Tobey, knowing he has…
Pay attention to the birds: Part 2- American Robin
I never keep walking when I see a robin. I stop and observe. I love their attentiveness. The way they listen to the earth. The way their torsos look like eggs. The robin brings a fresh new perspective to situations that are otherwise foggy and unclear. Try calling on robin energy for clarity when your…
Pay attention to the birds: Part 1- Kingfisher
On February 27, 2015, I observed a Kingfisher at the Spruce Harbour Marina. I was mesmerized. Birds hold so much meaning to me. And they always feel like messengers, telling me to pay strict attention. I pulled out my composition book and made a note to remember the moment. Also known as the Halycon, the…
Write for 10 minutes without stopping. #journalexercise
I feel tired, excited, more peaceful- but tired and worn. I am indeed— worn out. Maybe it’s muscle memory. Anniversary grief catching up. This time last year- JEEEEZUS. Accepting, surrendering, packing, moving, bankruptcy, no money. That week with no home. The incredible support from family and friends. “You need to finish your book here,” the…
I am a tired worn cardigan.
I am a tired worn cardigan. Old. Tired. Ugly. Comfortable. I think I’ll play with this metaphor and fix up my fave cardigan. Perhaps, as I fix it with fancy string and buttons, I’ll feel like I’m fixing myself.
Why receiving a NO from @writehedgebrook was a YES.
December 19, 2014: Dear Katarina, Thank you so much for applying for a 2015 Hedgebrook residency. We received 1,466 applications for 2015 and are able to offer 40 residencies. Though your application did not advance into the final round this year, we want you to know that your work resonated with our reviewers. Sending your work…
Touch me life, not softly. #journalentry
How will you take on this week? Last week was truly full of too muchness, too fullness, too many extremes, but at the same time, I was grateful for the intensity. It helped me clarify what was truly important. There was output and connection, there was trauma and fear, there was despair and elation, and…
A week of triggers and difficult conversations. And authenticity.
There were many triggers this week, both personally, professionally, and financially, that led to a multitude of emotions- most especially anxiety. Triggers that give rise to deep-rooted memories and default reactions. Anger directed at self. But I was delighted to find that I also defaulted to the “don’t know mind” technique and that I allowed…
Dream journal- the rat, the jay and the hummingbird
I dreamt of a rat infestation and I was not too freaked out, just very aware that this was something I had not dealt with properly, so it had come to this. Now I needed to acknowledge that I had to start dealing. This felt invasive to some… In some sense, but yet not frightening….
As I walked the labyrinth, I repeated the mantra: the question is…
Journal entry- at Xenia Retreat Centre inside the Sanctuary after walking the labyrinth on December 29, 2014 [unedited] @ Xenia with Laura. What a treat! Thank you! She picked me up at 7:10 –> Ferry –> breakfast at Snug Cafe. My hands now cold, limbs frozen, toes frozen, numb and painful. Reminds of being on the…
INNER CRITIC Series Part 4 of 6: CAUTERIZE #journalexercise
The inner critic is always worth a revisit. I have broken the series into 6 parts: 1. RANT 2. JUDGE 3. INVESTIGATE 4. CAUTERIZE 5. TEASE 6. EMBRACE Each exercise starts with a journal entry and/or mindmap. Then we look at the emotions that come up as we share openly. I encourage you to experiment by…
I know in my heart though, this is healthy grieving. I am processing.
I dreamt of my parents last night. On awakening, I was drenched in that deep sweat of walking through symbolic dream time. My mother passed away November 8, 2008 and my father October 25, 2012, but in this dream my mother was still alive as Dad was nearing death. I was in my parents’ home…