Reframing & Restoring Joy

Reframe & Restore

In the USA we celebrate Thanksgiving the month of November, so it seems fitting to focus on gratefulness. The truth is, I need my joy to be restored. Like many, the last year and a half has brought many losses and our individual and collective worlds are not what they used to be. Sadness and even depression can weigh heavy on our hearts and daily lives. I sense the need to re-frame how I'm looking at life and focus on the positive. Being intentionally thankful and counting specific blessings is one way to restore joy, and there are more ways to help.

Ways to Restore Joy

In my quest for joy, I have compiled a list of ways to restore joy. Each day I am doing a few of the following:

Sometimes we just need some easy and practical ideas on how to restore joy. Here are some I've found and am being intentional to do. I'd love to know ways you've found that foster gratitude and bring joy.

• Listen to uplifting music you enjoy

• Sing and make music, especially songs of praise

• When out and about, make eye contact with people, smiling, greeting them with kindness

• Add movement by going for a walk or other exercise

• Listen to or read a book or that gives you hope

• Reserve time to spend with God without distractions

• Read Scripture and write down verses that are encouraging to you

• Make Scripture personal by rereading verses in the first person as a prayer out loud and/or write it down

• Refuse to focus on the negative, especially hurts that have come from other people

• Release hurts to God, trusting Him to take care of it

• Write down blessings and thankfulness in your journal

• Thank God for your blessings & what He has done

• Write a note of thanks to someone who has blessed you

• Connect with a friend whose company you enjoy

• Run an errand for or reach out to someone in need

• Give yourself permission to make something that brings you joy, and enjoy the process

• Play like a child - and/or with a child

Tutorials

Below is a short flip through video of this month’s journal pages, and watercolor painting tutorial for November’s cover, and a modified tutorial on painting pages such as the calendar page above that includes a few creative Washi tape tips.

Watercolor tutorial for cover image

Below the cover page for November is a video tutorial of how I painted this watercolor painting for this month’s cover.

The following journal set-up videos includes setting up planner journal pages

“Music acts like a magic key,
to which the most tightly closed heart opens.”

- Maria von Trapp

“Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”

- Psalm 28:6-7 NLT

Pages from November’s Plan with Me journal

Questions to foster joy:

• What is a favorite uplifting song of yours? Listen and sing along!

• What are you thankful for? Write it down in your journal.
  

• I’d love to hear about your experience in finding joy in the comments section

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Materials used in November’s 2021 journal set-up

Stencils used:

https://www.stencilgirlproducts.com/stencils-valerie-sjodin-s/2044.htm 

Planner Banner Ribbons #L832

Script Sans Serif Planner Alphabet + Grid #L833

Music Notations Stencil #L688

Music Score #670

Spirit Swirl Mask #s578

NOTE: Of course you can use any stencils you like. I am demonstrating in watercolor and pen, but you could also use other media like colored pencils, pens & Gelatos®.

Supplies used:

• 160 gsm dotted notebook

• Pentel P205BP2-K6 Sharp Mechanical/Automatic Pencil, 0.5mm, Black, 2 Count: https://amzn.to/3m3lPgX

• Kneaded eraser: https://amzn.to/3m0wDwp

• Staedtler permanent pen set: https://amzn.to/3yQ2Ixy

• Micron pen set: https://amzn.to/3jpWOup or other waterproof pen set such as STA pigment liner set: https://amzn.to/396GX2h

• White Posca paint pen/s: https://amzn.to/3hhmV75

• Cosmetic wedges: https://amzn.to/2IVno1J

• MT Gold Washi tape: https://amzn.to/34w8Jls

• Misc. Washi tape

• Tombow double sided tape: https://amzn.to/3aRmnDI

• Color M600 Artist Mica Watercolor Paint, Metallic: https://amzn.to/337mfvp

• NOTE: If the above metallic watercolors are listed as 'currently unavailable'. If you want to order from Amazon, there are a few other choices that include gold like this one: https://amzn.to/3gZDqEU . I also saw some that look like they might be the same pigment but in a rectangular shape on Blick: https://www.dickblick.com/products/finetec-artist-mica-watercolors/ . You can also copy the name and google it to see other options.

• Silver Brush 3000S-6 Black Velvet Short Handle Round Size 6: https://amzn.to/339sEq0

• Silver Brush 3000S-2 Black Velvet Short Handle Round, Size 2: https://amzn.to/2UVEZtq

• Silver Brush set of large wash and small pointed brushes: https://amzn.to/37Si4Xb

• Watercolors: (Qor brand used) Teal, Black, Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide, Transparent Red Iron Oxide, Titanium White, Van Dyke Brown, Raw Umber, Green Gold

• Ruler

• craft knife

• piece of mylar

• 140 lb hot press watercolor paper Fabriano Artistico

• toothbrush

• spray bottle for water

• rock salt

• Small Scissors - https://amzn.to/2U7BgeS (comes in set of 5)

I only recommend and link to products I've used and am happy with. The above links are affiliate links, meaning if you click from here and order, I get a small commission. It costs you nothing. Win/Win! Thank you! Please email me with any questions or concerns.

Plan with me Premium

Plan with me Premium e-course is a separate interactive e-course running throughout 2021. In addition to the videos above, each month Plan with me Premium includes a how-to video on how to make the dutch door page (shown below) with downloadable pattern, and devotional videos that includes a personal devotional activity for the interior of the Dutch door, PLUS accompanying PDF downloadable devotional pages and patterns. Currently, since there is one month left in the year, the course is not available for registration. Check back for more information on courses offered in 2022.

Featured Word of the Year Blog Posts

For more how-to videos for your word of the year planner journal scroll through these blog posts and read more for inspiration!

For more Word of the Year Inspiration check out: https://www.valeriesjodin.com/word-year-calendar-everyday-journals