This January, we are Giving The Process: For each of the first 30 days of the month, we’re highlighting something—and someone—amazing in the wellness world, representing the beauty, health, style, creative, energetic and/or spiritual boost you need to make yourself a priority in the new year—and decade. On January 31, one charmed follower will win one of every item and ritual we highlight, including a $1,000 gift card for Live The Process!
They say it takes 30 days to create a habit—sign ups for our newsletter, follow us on IG and tell us how you’re hoping to make taking care of your physical, emotional, intellectual and/or spiritual self a priority this year—to make 2020 about self-care without guilt.
Today’s gift is the AllSwell Deck + Notebook Bundle.
My name is: Laura Rubin.
I’m known for being: Founder of AllSwell Creative; journaling expert; leader of journaling workshops for consumers, brands and businesses; research nerd.
I'm sharing: The AllSwell bundle, including The Deck (52 cards with a write and a draw journaling prompt on each) and a blank AllSwell notebook (half lined and half unlined for both writing and drawing).
You can find it at: allswellcreative.com, right now!
What inspired me to create it was: Journaling has always been a natural part of how I process and experience life. I opened my first journal when I was 8 and haven’t stopped since. When I launched AllSwell, I was surprised to hear from consumers that they felt intimidated or thought that they were “bad” at journaling. Others were looking to get more out of their pen to paper practice, but didn’t know how.
That’s what led to the AllSwell journaling workshops and, as much as I love leading them for groups—in amazing places from Tahiti to Joshua Tree to Montauk—I can only reach so many people that way. I wanted to provide budget-friendly support for anyone interested in creating or deepening a personal pen to paper practice. Make an app? Nah, I stayed true to AllSwell’s analog vibe. I created The Deck as an analog resource for individuals looking to have a cathartic journaling experience.
What makes it special is: When psychiatrist Dr. Monisha Vasa reached out to me about collaborating, I did a happy dance! We are both passionate about the therapeutic possibilities of journaling. We co-wrote each and every prompt of The Deck, so you know they’re legit. I also had my creative community vet the content. From poets to art teachers, they weighed in with valuable input.
You don’t need to be a writer or an artist to use them. These cards are about trying something new, spending a little time with yourself and tapping into your own creative voice. Whether you want to kick start or deepen your journaling practice, The Deck allows you to unplug from modern day stressors and expand self-awareness. They range from gentle to “varsity,” so you have a range from which to pick, depending on how you’re feeling on a particular day.
One thing you can’t miss is: The Deck features original photography by some members of my creative community, including Emily Nathan of Tiny Atlas Quarterly and pro-surfer/conscious creative, Kassia Meador. It’s really special to hold in my hand the contributions of so many people I respect and enjoy, knowing this simple tool is helping people in profound ways.
Your body will thank you because: Journaling is proven to have physiologically beneficial effects as wide-ranging as strengthening your T-lymphocytes (basically, your immune system), speeding wound healing, curbing asthma and beyond. You can do it almost anywhere, you don’t need a special outfit or Class Pass to do it and it’s not expensive. And, remember: you don’t have to be a good writer to experience the upside. I have not come across a single study with the caveat that good grammar plays a role in deriving benefits.
This will help you prioritize your own health, joy and energy this year because: We’re so deluged with incoming prompts from multiple streams that are asking us to react and respond. Everyone seems to have reached epic levels of digital overload. From my perspective, the antidote includes some analog creativity. When was the last time you checked in and answered the question “How do I feel, really?” No judgements, no “likes”—what you put in your journal is just for you. Put down your phone, pick up a pen and choose a card. See what emerges.
It’s about trying something new, spending a little time with yourself and tapping into your own creative voice (trust me, you have one). Try to reserve criticism. Give yourself permission to make stuff and let it flow.
My favorite personal short ritual for self-care in 2020 is: I journal twice a day. It tends to be a list at night in bed and a free-write/list combo in the morning, but I mix it up depending on what’s up and how I’m feeling. That’s what works for me and if it ain’t broke…
