The He(art) of Journaling
- Quarterly Focus - meditations, Zoom meetings and more
- Monthly Themes - clip art and pregaming journal pages
- Writing Examples -we will discuss different writing types and styles
- 52 Weeks of Journaling Prompts/Ideas - videos and instruction
The Power of Journal Writing for Mental Health
In a fast-paced world filled with responsibilities, emotions, and countless thoughts, journaling offers a gentle space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with ourselves. As a therapeutic practice, journal writing has long been known to foster mental well-being, helping us process emotions, clarify thoughts, and gain insight into our daily experiences.
Journaling enhances self-awareness by allowing us to explore our thoughts and feelings without judgment. This act of self-expression can lighten our mental load, providing relief from the clutter of daily life and helping us navigate stress and anxiety with a clearer mind.
Regular journal writing can reduce stress by encouraging us to slow down and take a mindful approach to our experiences. The process of writing helps to process difficult emotions, offering a safe outlet for them, which in turn cultivates emotional resilience and inner peace.
Fostering gratitude through journaling is also a powerful way to improve mood and well-being. By consciously noting moments of joy or appreciation, we shift our focus to the positive aspects of our lives, creating a balanced perspective that uplifts our mental state.
As a creative practice, journal writing goes beyond words, allowing us to express ourselves with colors, images, and personal reflections. This makes journaling not only a therapeutic tool but also a joyful journey that can bring healing, growth, and a profound sense of inner calm.
Through a dedicated journal practice, we find a path to mental clarity and emotional freedom, creating a personalized space to nurture and care for our mental health, one page at a time.
About The Instructor : Leaca
Artist
Living in Alaska, Leaca Young finds endless inspiration in the natural beauty and rhythm of life that surrounds her. Her artwork carries a vintage and often whimsical touch, reflecting her love of history and storytelling. Vintage papers are a recurring element in her creations, as she believes that connecting to the past through art is both healing and transformative. Primarily working with watercolor and acrylics, she also enjoys exploring other mediums. For Leaca, the small, often overlooked details—tiny scraps of paper and the simplicity of a glue stick—hold the greatest creative magic.
Journal Writer
Journaling has been a part of Leaca Young's life in different seasons, but it became a profound daily practice after the loss of her son in 2022. What began as a way to process overwhelming emotions evolved into her most cherished form of self-care and a meaningful tool for preserving personal history. Through journaling, she has discovered its unparalleled ability to heal, inspire, and ground her, and she passionately shares this gift with others.
Life Coach and Energy Healer
In 2024, Leaca Young became a certified Reiki Master, deepening her journey as a healer and guide. Over the years, she has immersed herself in the study of self-help and personal growth, completing numerous life coaching courses and drawing wisdom from countless books and teachings. She integrates her artistic and journaling expertise with her energy work to create a holistic approach to healing and self-discovery, inspiring others to connect with their inner strength and creativity.
Quarterly Focus
Each quarter brings a fresh focus, complete with guided meditations, thoughtfully curated book suggestions, and live Zoom gatherings to deepen our community connection. These seasonal sessions will help you expand your practice and explore new perspectives in a supportive environment.
Creating Art With Your Writing
Every month, you'll receive new themes and clip art, setting the stage for our "pre-gaming" sessions—an opportunity to prepare your journal with layers of visual inspiration and personalized touches. These monthly themes are crafted to spark ideas and build anticipation for what's to come.
Monthly Newsletter
On a weekly basis, you'll dive into unique prompts, practical lessons, and creative exercises designed to inspire continuous discovery and expression. With each prompt, you’ll uncover new ways to articulate your journey, whether through words, colors, or collage.
Example Curriculum
- Promotional Video (1:16)
- Welcome (7:28)
- About Your Instructor : Leaca Young
- Meet Your Meditation Instructor : Michelle
- Start here first
- Emails
- Supplies (5:46)
- Supply List
- Pen Testing on Sterling INK Journals (10:13)
- Journal Bags (6:19)
- Vellum Sticky Notes (3:24)
- 2025 Listen To What You Love
- Social Media Links and Hashtags
- 100 Day Project (8:24)
- Monday Pages (4:58)
- "Anatomy of" Prompts (2:05)
- Reflection on a Memory
- Vision Boards (3:01)
- Stream of Consciousness Writing (1:35)
- Gratitude Journaling
- Intention Setting
- Creative Writing with Imagery (6:17)
- Writing Letters to Yourself
- Emotional Check-In
- Cluster or Web Writing (1:39)
- Brain Dumping
- Pouring Emotions (2:41)
- Travel Journaling (22:04)
- Layout Aesthetic (22:36)
- 20 Minute Candles (3:02)
- Start Here! (9:12)
- Week 1 - Focus Word (3:03)
- Week 2 - Roots of Love (4:04)
- Week 3 - Defining Joy (1:55)
- Week 4 - Self Acceptance (2:20)
- Week 5 - Acts of Kindness: (2:27)
- Week 6 - Home in the Heart: (1:54)
- Week 7 - Gratitude and Growth: (1:35)
- Week 8 : Art of Forgiveness (2:01)
- Week 9 - The Comfort of Rituals (1:32)
- Week 10 - Fear and Courage (1:45)
- Week 11 - Unseen Connections (3:54)
- Week 12 - Dreams and Desires (2:21)
- Week 13 : Heartfelt Legacy (1:45)
Testimonials
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Â
5 Star Review
I’m thoroughly enjoying the Heart of Journal Writing class and it’s only the first month. I’m blown away by how much value it offers. It’s really exceeding my expectations right from the start! The class is packed with engaging ideas, great supply sources, a ton of downloadable materials, inspirational books and other resources, and challenging prompts to push my creativity. The structured class is easy to follow along and is allowing me to practice at my own pace.
It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort into designing this course. I feel both inspired and challenged, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year holds. The Zoom call with other classmates was as if I joined a fellowship of like minded people - a great art community. Thanks so much!!!Â
If anyone is looking for a class that will stretch your skills and keep you motivated, this is it! Highly recommended!Â
-A. Oswald
