BY THE PINK TARHA
Happy 2021 our dear readers! It’s another fresh year for all of us. If there’s anything that 2020 has taught us, it’s to value every day, every moment that we are given. And with that, we would like to introduce you to a past time that made us remember our days and will keep us remembering for a long time … journaling.
Journaling is writing our thoughts and feelings whether that be in paper with pen, or through the modern take of typing away in digital apps. Journaling while living and working in Saudi Arabia has helped us in preserving memories and thoughts; it has also made our thinking process better and discover more of ourselves. Journaling is a very personal experience and while it has varied effects to each person, studies have proven that journaling improves one’s ability to cope more effectively with stress, manage anxiety, and gain clarity when it comes to challenges and perspectives.
Journaling is usually done daily so that our patterns can be tracked but we prefer to do ours when we feel like it. We should not feel pressured to keep up with our journals. Starting a journal doesn’t have to be during the new year (but it does feel apt as an ode to new beginnings and fresh chapters of our lives). To start journaling, just do it. Or rather, just write it!
A journal can be any notebook of your choice. You can even use planners if you want it dated. Bookstores in Riyadh like Jarir Bookstore and Virgin Megastore have some pretty journals and planners. We personally prefer the Hobonichi Techo, a life book that can be used freely as we like. It has a high quality paper that lasts a long time. Other highly-recommended notebooks are Moleskine, Leuchtturm 1917, and Archer and Olive. Of course, pencils and pens are required and if you want a change from the ordinary ones, visit Curio Art Supplies and Spiral Pen for a wide array of writing tool selections. When it comes to digital journals, apps like The Five Minute Journal, Day One, and Daybook are great to start with. You can even add photos to your entries immediately.
Now that you have the tools, it’s time to prep yourself to write. We usually journal at the start and end of our day. Before opening our computers to check on emails and begin working, we take a few minutes of our time to write in our journal. We call this a “brain dump” when we just write down whatever it is that we’re thinking and feeling at the moment. You can also use prompts if you can’t think of anything to write about. Start with your motivations, struggles, goals, bucket lists, and quotes. Get inspiration from the channels of Amanda Lee, Shayda Campbell, Study Quill, Boho Berry, RainbowholicTV, and more.
Whenever we get the free time to journal throughout the busy week, we take out our stickers, washi tapes, stamps, and patterned papers to put some excitement and pizzazz to our notebooks. Adding our customization to our journals makes it our own. Decorative elements can be found in stationery stores in Riyadh or online via Jet Pens, Notebook Therapy, Aliexpress, and Jollychic. We have ordered a bunch of times from these online stores and so far, we haven’t been disappointed. Doodling, drawing, and watercolor painting in our journals are also a fun way to express ourselves creatively.
While the regular journal is about our life in general, some journals can be focused on an aspect of our life whether that be about wedding, pregnancy, career, or fitness. If you’re into cooking and eating, you can make a food journal that cherishes recipes and foods you’ve tried. A gratitude journal is for all that you are thankful for. This can infuse positivity in our lives. Our favorite is a travel journal where we record the places we have visited and keep receipts, tickets, trinkets, and of course, photos. Looking back at a travel journal reminds us of the enriching experiences we’ve had (it definitely helps during this pandemic when travel is restricted).
There are no rules to journaling. There is no right or wrong. There is no best practice or method to it. Do what works best for you. The reason why we journal is to have an avenue for ourselves, to have a quiet time, to reflect on things, to keep memories, to discover us, and to let others know about us (when it’s time to hand it over to our next generation, you know?).
When the world feels like it’s in chaos, journaling gives us a sense of order and normalcy in our own life. It makes us better. After all, journaling is “paying attention to the inside for the purpose of living well from the inside out.”
Shop journal supplies online:
- jarir.com
- virginmegastore.sa
- 1101.com/store/techo/en/
- curioartsupplies.com
- spiralpen.com
- jetpens.com
- notebooktherapy.com
ABOUT THE PINK TARHA
Janelle Vales-Yasay and Reina Tejano-Berina are the power duo behind the successful multi-awarded blog “The Pink Tarha”, an online lifestyle guide in Saudi Arabia. They started their blog in 2009 and since then have inspired many people by showcasing the fun and interesting side of living in KSA. What started out as a hobby for the girls has gained so much positive attention and appreciation in the process winning them the Saudi Excellence in Tourism Award.
Facebook/Instagram: @thepinktarha
Website: www.thepinktarha.com
