Is one word enough for a journal entry?
Using a single word as a writing prompt is amazingly simple, yet powerful. I have notice when studying scripture and being with God, often the small plain words hold as much meaning as the gigantic theological ones.
THE Lord is MY shepherd.
OUR Father who art in heaven.
YET God…
My Word of the Year
My word of the year is very minimal and down to earth: GO. I have shared on other posts about my word and GO continues to put down deep roots in my spiritual journey this year.
Emily Freeman talked this past week about How to Journal Using One Word in her #173 podcast. Well worth listening as she is inspiring and insightful every week.
Emily likes to write her word at the top of a journal page. She then reviews and reflects over the past week, month or quarter her using her iPhone photos, her journal, and her daily planner.
Paying attention, she looks for patterns or material related to her word. She then gleans insights and themes weaving throughout her life, often unnoticed before. Her word takes on new life and wisdom.
Special journals are even available such as this one: Amazon; The One Word Journal Paperback.
Last month I used a mind map with my word in for one word journaling. You could use a digital app or just draw one like I did. I make a circle and write my one word inside of this in the middle of a journal page. Then with lines permeating outward with all the phrases I can think of (or google) related to that word. What fun it was to see new choices and combinations materialize.
Here is a photo of part of my word mind map:
One Word Journaling with Gusto
Listen for your word in conversations. “Go” stands out to me when someone else uses it in a sentence, especially when used in a unique way.
I have been focused and a bit overwhelmed working on a book projected to be published in 2022 but with a June 2021 deadline to the publisher. The rough draft is complete, but very very lacking in proper grammar, sparkling words, and far from the finished line. I am in the depths of rewriting and self-editing before I can submit it and drowning in details.
I shared with my hubby how I am going through the early version multiple times finding better words and making sense of ideas. I lightened this tedious yet necessary writing step by naming each pass through.
Initial clean-up of garbage – GUS
Better transitions and theme cohesion – FLO
Adding description and poetic words and rhythms – EMILY (Dickinson)
My hubby laughed.
“You go with GUSto!” he said.
Go with gusto – a new use of my one word! Still makes me smile. And you bet I wrote Go with Gusto in my journal adding a new facet to my word of the year.
How could you use one word in your journaling? Any insights or experiences to share?
I love the mind-mapping idea for your One Word, Jean! And the idea of intentionally journaling about your word at least once per month. I’m going to take that into consideration whenever I set my week/month now. And it may even give me a chance to do some art journaling that I always wanted to try.
Thanks for stopping by Lynn and leaving a comments. This whole process and reminder that Lisa does each month has really put life into my word this year. Hope art journaling takes off for you!
I appreciate you sharing your mind map and the one word journal idea. Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
I love the idea of a one word journal. And I love your map of the word “Go”. It truly brings direction.
Hi Joanne! Go has been a dynamic word this year and for being so simple one of the most powerful words of the year I have had
Go…what a wonderful choice! I can only imagine the wonderful lessons that God has already taught you!
Go has been amazing word. So little yet powerful. I use it just to get started sometimes when I want to procrastinate. LOL
I have also scrawled my one word in messy cursive across the top of a journal page. I love your graphic organizer showing all the paths ahead of you as you GO!
Love how your artistry comes out in your journal. Show creativity and would break down obstacles to our thinking and praying I am sure.
Go with Gusto! I love it, Jean. 🙂 And I love this idea of journaling with your one word at the top. I’ve linked over to the journal and will add the podcast episode to my queue. I always am blessed when I visit you!
I just loved it when my hubby said Go with Gusto. Made it fun too and wow, my word in new form! Your idea of asking us to share how our word is forming us has also helped me stay focused this year. I sure do appreciate you
It goes both ways, Jean! I learn so much from your leadership here on your blog! Never underestimate the power of a blog. 🙂
I really like the way you put your One word in the center and how it expanded outward. As I have been focusing on my One Word “Fear” and how it has been taking me in 2 directions in fear as the negative and the positive.
I love reading your posts because they seem to speak to me, and I look forward to trying this to see where my LORD leads me.
sounds like your two directions match my idea of mindmapping. I wonder if there are other arrows for your word? I am blessed we have connected too!
I love the idea of a one-word journal! Thank you for the tips here to get us started, Jean. Word-webs in particular intrigue me, as new discoveries often surface during such an exercise. (Used to use those when I taught school!)
I too love words webs and isn’t that a great phrase too?
What a fabulous idea in maximizing the use of our one word this year, Jean. Think I’ll give it a “go!” Blessings!
I loved the idea too. It is a fun and unique way to add to our journals!
In preschool we sometimes use one word…call it webbing…and its amazing how a curriculum materializes from that.one word!!…so it is with God…”in the beginning was the word”
Looking forward to your new book!!!
Pat, I love this. never heard of webbing so you added a new word for me, Thank you,
A whole curriculum for preschool can come out of one word….we call it webbing…its an amazing process…seems like God liked it too…”in the beginning was the Word”
Lookin forward to your new book!!!…
I journal nearly every day when ever I read the Bible and pray. But sometimes I find it really difficult to express what comes up in sentences or phrases. This is a great idea in such situations will just do one word journalling just the right word that you feel sums up this experience. Thanks for such a great tip 🙂
Glad you found it useful. I know I sure did and it added something new and special to my journaling. Blessings, my friend!