In an effort to figure it out, I wrote everything down that happened that day:

• woke up early (without hitting snooze)
• drank water
• drank strong coffee
• ate healthy food
• made a list of my must dos
• brainstormed new projects
• didn’t turn on the TV, open Netflix, or browse YouTube videos
• focused on one thing instead of trying to multi-task

What I discovered, is that there are certain things I can do everyday to set my self up for success. Writing everything down helped.

Journaling is a great way record events, milestones, thoughts, dreams

I make notes of new project ideas, books to read, or podcasts to listen to. I like to write down my dreams, goals and prayers.

But I also write down other stuff:

• Highlights from a trip
• Memories of each child we foster parented
• Quilts I made – who I gave them to and the occasion
• The year in review
• Holiday meal planning, shopping, gifts, and guests
• Food log to rule out a dairy or gluten allergy
• Quotes that make me swoon and inspire me

Then, after a particularly difficult season in my life, I discovered art. I painted and journaled my way through it. I wrote a book about that time which includes the paintings and journal prompts I used to emerge from the darkness.

Journaling was a lifesaver.