Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Thirty-Three

"Rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens,

Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,

Brown paper packages tied up with strings..."

Happy Monday, Journal Gang! Mondays in general probably aren’t winning many popularity contests, but they definitely have their bright spots and pros, despite their drab reputation. Are they anyone’s favorite day of the week?? Ok, let’s be real and not kid ourselves…don’t push your luck, Monday! But one thing we love about this reset day is being able to share a new prompt with you all, and start a new page in our journals. Always energizing to approach a crisp fresh page, work on a layout and experience it forming a unique personality. It’s one of our favorite parts of journaling for sure. When you start a new page, the possibilities are endless. The blank page doesn’t feel so daunting anymore! Do you struggle with starting a new page? Refer to this throwback post for insight and tips on getting started!

A journal is a place to infuse your own personal style, thoughts and ideas into a tangible keepsake form; favorite things. It has us pondering other things we love most. Specific places, people, ideas, quotes, books, songs, animals, art, films, food, weather, seasons, plants, colors, clothing styles, design, hobbies...all of the things that enrich life and compose little pieces of who you are and how you view the world. What speaks to you - speaks volumes about you! So we thought it would be fun to compile a list of those lovely things that we call favorites. This prompt is well suited for all styles of journaling - reflective (list form), art (visual), bullet journal (combination)! 

So what are your ‘rain drop on roses and whiskers on kittens?’ Drizzly rain on a lazy afternoon? Bubble tea? Picnics at the beach? Penmanship? The smell of honeysuckle? Modern art? Vintage furniture? Kind-hearted, strong people? Think of the things that give you all those good feels and journal away. We'd love to see what you come up with!

Wishing you much happiness throughout this week❣

Happy Journaling!
xoxo
The Antiquaria Team 

Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Thirty

“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, 
but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.”
~Maya Angelou

Hey Journal Gang,
Another week, another prompt and 7 more days of journaling await us; 7 more chances to explore the benefits of keeping a journal. We hope last week’s prompt helped you channel your experiences after navigating through each day. Sometimes just summarizing things in a few strong words speaks volumes. The past few weeks have held so many emotions. As a country we’re experiencing so many things: Sadness, fear, anger, uncertainty, solidarity and even traces of hope as our collective voices ring louder and more persistent than ever, across the political and social landscape. It can all be a lot to process; time and time again we find refuge and healing through creative outlets, like journaling. We hope the same is true for you.

Have you found that your journal process has changed over time? If so, that’s normal! We’d be interested to know how your journey has shifted. Change - the only constant in life. Change as a concept has been on our minds a lot lately. As a country, and individuals, we have collectively come together to demand racial justice and sweeping changes to the systems in place. Even international communities are gathering to show support in our struggle. Covid continues to linger, as question marks '?' hover abound. Within our own lives, we seek to make personal changes, or ask for the strength to accept changes that we have already had happen.

Some change is transparent and clearly defined; easy to understand and interpret in a context we can relate to. Other changes are more abstract, complex or difficult to define. Change in motion tends to fall under this hazy category. This type is more difficult to deal with. Does the caterpillar know what will become of it, while it’s in the chrysalis? 

That is 2020 in a nutshell so far. We can plan all the plans, and expect all the expectations..but sometimes we just have to ride that wave (or those waves!) that comes towards us, as best we can. By the time this year is over, we’ll all be professional surfers. ;)

So think to yourself…what changes do you want to see in this world? In our country? In your town? In your own daily life? You can focus on all of these, or choose certain areas that are the top of your values and priorities right now. Try writing steam of consciousness (whatever comes to your mind with no editing), or if lists are more your style, give bullet journaling format a go. You can later break these things down into small actions steps by asking yourself, “How can I, today, be a part of the solution to this problem, or contribute to this change? What action can I take?” Even the seemingly smallest actions can ultimately create huge momentum.

Self-reflection is healing and can change the world when the insight from that reflection merges with action. Use the power of journaling to collect your thoughts, and empower you to contribute to the changes you seek.

Stay Strong, Stay Safe and Happy Journaling,
xoxo,
The Antiquaria Team 

Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Twenty-Eight

Hey there Journal Gang! Happy Memorial Day to you all. Our thoughts are with all the men and women that have sacrificed everything in the line of service for our country; their families, friends and community. True grit. 

Memorial Day represents the ‘unofficially official’ start of Summer. This year has been a rollercoaster ride so far..with everything unfolding and changing quickly, it can be tricky to know how to feel, what to do or when to make plans. Can you relate? It’s the unofficial start of Summer, but we’re left wondering - what will Summer even look like this year? In a typical year, right around this time vacations would be beginning to pop up on our studio calendar. Trips to gardens, museums and breweries would grace the weekends. Sadly, this year...they aren’t! So..what should we do instead?

Let’s think on it! Summer is typically such a lively and adventurous time of year. We thought it would be helpful to make lists of revised goals and plans for Summer 2020 - quarantine edition. How can we still feel like we’re enjoying the spirit of Summer when many traditional activities are off the table for now? 

So what sorts of things can we put on a list? Think of things that you’d like to do, but maybe typical wouldn’t follow through with, if all of the traditional alternatives (vacations, outings, etc) were available. 

Drive-in movie theatre 

Get out of the house, fully reclining seats, your own snacks, movie, fresh air and personal space? This checks all the win boxes. 

Join an Online Book Club

Or make a list of all those books you’ve wanted to read, but never had time to..and then read them! There are SO many good books. Reading a book under a shade tree is just really…nice.

Sketch, Draw or Paint Outdoors

This is another great way to get some fresh air and practice a craft too! Your reference objects right there at their very best, in living color. 

Work on Your Living Space

No matter your budget or current space, there are always small touches you can do to jazz things up. Very rewarding to improve a space and make it feel more cozy. 

Gardening

Even if you only have a small balcony! If you have a yard, amazing! If not, you can totally still garden. Herbs and tomatoes are great for a small balcony or window garden. 

Fancy Cheese + Wine Picnic 

Even wear a pretty dress if you like! Lift your pinky finger high as you drink for the full effect. 

Sidewalk Chalk Art 

Just for kids? No way. Have kids? Make and epic sidewalk mural together!

Lawn games 

Grab some beer and hey, pretty much at the brewery..right?

Hiking a local trail 

Do a little research on your local area to see what trails would be best. So so many great trails and parks out there.

Take an Online Course or Workshop
Choose something fun and engaging that makes you feel excited!

Do you have an idea for something we could add to the list? Let us know in the comments! This is definitely going to be an unconventional Summer. But who knows - maybe we’ll find some joy along the way, spend some nice time outside and have a few stories to tell? That’s the spirit of Summer, after all. 

Hang in There, Be Well and Happy Journaling!
xoxo,
The Antiquaria Team 

Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Twenty-Seven

Hey Journal Gang! We’re back this week with another prompt to inspire some journaling magic! How has your journaling been going over the past few weeks? For us, some weeks are more productive than others, but we enjoy doing our best to always come back and find solace in this creative outlet as much as possible. It’s a grounding activity with a lot of artistic freedom involved. At times, writing is more of a focus. Other days/week it’s more graphic and art journal based. You can make your journal 100% whatever you’re feeling at the time. Again - no wrong way to journal!

Last week we took a step back to view ourselves objectively for a little morale boost. What things did you reflect on and give yourself credit for? We’re sure the list was long - you have a lot to offer! This week we’re taking more solace in the little moments of the day, with a fresh spin. Our very first journaling prompt (can you believe we founded journal club over six months ago now?!) focused on recognizing and embracing the #1 best highlight of the day. It's a prompt we like to incorporate into different weeks, because it can incite gratitude and give some perspective. When times are uncertain or stressful it can be especially cathartic to find the little gems in each 24 hours we’re given. Every day has something to offer! Some days it’s a bit easier to recognize than others, but that’s life, and totally ok. 

Having positive things to anticipate can help you appreciate the here and now as well, make goals and enjoy planning. So many things have been disrupted this year because of Covid. Aside from all the of major disruptions to life and work, a lot of fun and life milestone plans - vacations, ceremonies, weddings, family gatherings, etc. - have also been put on hold. Disapointment is only natural. We remain hopeful that we can at some point carry on with our lives and find a new normal where we can safely do those things again. Won’t that be amazing? In the meanwhile, we’re looking to the every day experience and finding smaller things to look forward to.

Your morning coffee, taking a walk, video chat with a friend, an afternoon nap, 20 minutes peace and quiet to yourself, a journaling session, watching a movie, tending to your garden or plants, cooking dinner, baking bread, playing an instrument, writing a letter, receiving a package, going for a joy ride, getting some takeout, doing a fun activity with your kid(s). These are a few things that make these days better!

So what are your things? What moments of your day do you look forward to, especially now? Revel in those moments, and journal all about it!

All the best, and Happy Journaling! 

xo

The Antiquaria Team

Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Twenty-Five

Life began with waking up and loving my mother’s face.

-George Eliot

Hey Journal Gang! Well, seems as if we’ve officially made it through another month of 2020. Little victories here! Despite our new normal, we’re staying busy and positive, enjoying journal club from afar and the time it allows for reflection. We hope you are staying well, feeling strong, and embracing the lovely simpler things in life..like journaling!

We’re in the full swing o' Spring now, and one of the most well-deserved holidays of the year is just under one week away. The day we honor and celebrate the life-giving, strong, hardworking, the loving; Mother’s Day! Moms are magical, really. There is an unrivaled bond between the shared experience of mother and child. They bring life, love, support, advice, encouragement. They make good things happen and, essentially, make the world go round. Moms rule.

So this week, let’s honor Mom in a small way by scribing fond memories of her to our journal pages. If you send your mom a card, you can jot down some things you remembered to give her a smile. If you’re a mom yourself, (Happy Mother’s Day!) you could also write from another angle - your favorite Mom memories, from your own perspective in that role! What does Motherhood mean to you? What are the golden moments? Everyone’s family relationship dynamics are unique, so feel free to write about Moms or Mother figures in your life that inspire you in other ways, too. If your mom is no longer with you, writing about her is a sweet way to honor her memory on a special day. ♥

We’re sending a ton of love and admiration to all the Mamas out there. Thank you so much for everything that you do, seen and unseen, every day. Happy Mother’s Day!!

Happy Journaling,
xoxo
The Antiquaria Team 

Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Twenty-Two

Heey there Journal Gang,

It’s Monday, (or is it? Honestly can’t be too sure these days!) so that means we’ve got a fresh journaling prompt to ponder over this week. We hope you had a wonderful Easter, and that you all continue to find bright moments in sprinkled throughout your days, despite all the strangeness and uncertainty. It’s been really beautiful outside recently, and that's definitely reflected as a highlight in our journals. As we creep forward in the calendar, one numbered box after another, things shift and settle like sand beneath the feet. The adaptations of routines, evolving emotions; a total change of most aspects of our daily lives. As we navigate this “new normal” perspectives shift, we reflect and adapt - as humans tend to do!  Doing the best we can in a situation we’ve never experienced during our lifetimes. A large part of anxiety is fear of the unknown - what will happen? We can approach this ‘what if’ from multiple angles.

A letter, to you, in the future. Take some time to envision what your normal, everyday life was like. What do you miss and love about it? What has changed? What do you not miss about it? What about it do you look forward to doing again? What about it did you take for granted? What are you grateful for about your current days? We can further understand the present by relating to the past! Perhaps this massive and sudden shift in the world is a chance to reflect and make changes for the better, not only on a cultural and political scale, but in a personal capacity.

So think to an imagined future, when all of this has passed (and it will pass, eventually!) and things are some semblance of our normal lives again. What would you like your future self to know? What small blessings came out of this experience for you? Who do you value most and how did you connect with them during this time? What aspects of humanity gave you hope? Were you able to learn something that propelled you forward emotionally or professionally? What advice would you give? What kind words do you have for your future self? You could tell yourself how you were feeling and what thoughts you were having, what you were doing for fun, or about something you created.

These are just a starting point to inspire your letter writing - you can write absolutely anything! It can be a short letter, a long letter, a few sentences, a haiku, or your letter can be represented visually with imagery! We’re experiencing history in real time. Having a personal letter to yourself is a one-of a kind insight to what you’re going through now, and in the present, can broaden your view towards better days. Better days will be here again!

Sending you (and your future selves!) love♥
Stay Strong and Happy Journaling,
xoxo
The Antiquaria Team

Antiquaria Journal Club | Week Twenty-One

Hey Journal Gang!

How did having a daily or weekly mantra work out for you last week? It’s wild how grounding or motivating a short phrase can be! What was your stand out mantra or thought for the week? Let us know in the comments! We’d love to know so we can add it to our mental mantras repertoire too.

This week we’re going back to basics, with a throwback to our very FIRST week of Journal Club: reflecting on the highlights of our days. An oldie but a goodie! With life and routines essentially turned upside down right now for most, we’re all finding new rhythms and trying to settle into a new temporary normal. It’s a strange thing! But with the unexpected comes unexpected opportunities as well. Opportunities to experience the day from a new perspective. It will be interesting to contrast our journal entries from the very first week of Journal Club to now and see how our days have evolved with the change of circumstances and passage of time. SO so much has happened in this wild ride that is 2020 so far. Despite all the craziness, we hope you are finding silver linings and unexpected small joys in your days. Search for the magic in each day, and live that moment again through your journaling! Sounds good to us.

One highlight of our week that we’ve been really missing is our Journal Club meetup in the shop each Tuesday! It was always a bright spot, and an engaging way to start out the week and get together with our awesome Journal Club Gang. We’re working on getting a virtual meetup going (yay!) and will share the details on how to join in, hopefully by next week. Can’t wait!

Stay Safe, Be Well and Happy Journaling!

xoxo
The Antiquaria Team