After a challenging few months (thank you, COVID), I decided it was time to get my health in check. I was feeling super sluggish, unmotivated, and not my usual self.
With things finally starting to get back to normal, I decided it was time to get myself back to normal too. I started working out more (not my usual walk from kitchen to bedroom), and I kicked up the chef skills a notch. A little less take out and a little more chicken and veggies if you know what I mean.
After a few weeks I definitely started to feel better physically, but the mental piece hadn’t clicked yet. I was feeling less sluggish and unmotivated, but still couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t happy. I felt tons of pressure from my job, friends and family, and I couldn’t seem to stay organized (in my work or in my head). I was consistently feeling down in the dumps.
I knew I had to make one last change, so I reached out to some friends who had struggled with this like I was. Their top recommendation? Journaling. A google search away I found Silk + Sonder’s website. After reading a ton of promising reviews, I was ready to give it a shot.
I will say I was hesitant at first. Writing in a diary was going to bring me back to my best self? Who knows, but I did know I was sick of feeling this way and was ready to try anything.
Immediately, I was surprised by how gorgeous these journals were. From my first look on the website I was already cracking a smile. I clicked through the previews and quickly realized that this was no middle school diary. It had all sorts of engaging content inside: stuff that made you think, stuff to keep you organized, and even stuff like motivational quotes and recipes. I was sold.
And the coolest part: it’s a subscription! You don’t have to remember every month to order a new one, or get stuck with one giant (and boring) yearly journal. Silk + Sonder gives you three different subscription options, and each month they send you a new journal to use for that month. Fresh month = fresh journal = fresh goals. I loved it.
I placed my order for their most popular plan, and received an email in my inbox that my journal would arrive in 3 to 4 days. I was surprised how excited I was to get going. The next fun surprise I got was an email to join their app. Why not!
I downloaded and logged on, and was once again blown away. Thousands of other Silk + Sonder users were all part of this amazing community to share inspiration, motivation, and accountability. You can take quizzes, create affirmations, join monthly challenges, and learn so much more from other S + S fans. Not only was I getting this fabulous journal, I was now part of this fabulous community along with it.
A few short days later, my S + S journal arrived. After trying out the app in the days leading up, I was ready to get started on this self care journey of mine. November 2021 here I come…
Okay, wow. I won’t lie – at first I was a little overwhelmed. How would I even begin this journaling adventure? Just start writing? I hated those free flowing exercises we would do in english class, “Write what you feel! About anything!” What does that even mean? I would get so caught up in my own thoughts of what to say I’d end up giving up before I got started.
I opened up my Silk + Sonder journal and quickly realized there was nothing to be overwhelmed about. They make it so easy for you…and honestly, really fun.
I jumped right in with the easy stuff. I filled out my to-do’s for the week, important dates throughout the month, and I even jotted down my workout schedule and dinners I planned for the week. For someone who never wrote anything down, it felt so nice. Instead of wracking my brain trying to remember these things, I had it laid out in front of me perfectly organized.
After I messed around with some free doodling and unleashed my inner kid again, I decided to get to some of the deeper work. I flipped through some of the prompts and came across a page that had the prompt, “This is Me.” I rarely take the time to dig into my own thoughts, so it was honestly a cool exercise.
The questions started off small like, “my favorite animal is…” and lead to larger ones like, “I am a good friend because…” It was nice to think about those things for a bit, and get to focus on myself, my strengths, and what I could improve upon.
After getting all my thoughts out, I put my pen down and took a deep breath. I’m not sure what it was, but I suddenly felt so relaxed. And so…emotional? Who knows, but it felt really, really good. I took this first go at journaling as a great sign, and committed to doing it for the rest of the month.
30 days later here I am and let me say, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in a while. Using my Silk + Sonder journal has helped me open up in so many ways – creatively, mindfully, emotionally. After just one month I’ve noticed so many changes in myself. I get excited to get to my journal each day, and I’ve found myself getting less scatterbrained and anxious. This month has been pretty transformative for me, and I’m pumped for my December journal to arrive.
If you’re ready to take control of your life, amp up your self care routine, or even just get into journaling without knowing where to start, Silk + Sonder is for you. I promise, you’ll be a better you for it.
For a limited time, TheGetWell readers can get the Silk + Sonder quarterly subscription for less than a dollar a day. Get it before it’s too late!
