"This journal is intended to feel like a hug when I can't give you one." 📝

how to turn any little notebook into a thoughtful treasure

This month’s act of kindness suggestion is primarily one idea: give someone a journal that has little encouraging notes written inside throughout the pages. This is clearly a gift that would be most appreciated by your more introspective, word-loving friends…the goal is for this journal to be a powerful, resilient reminder that they are deeply loved and cared about.

Here’s something you might write on the first page:
"Dear _____, this journal is intended to feel like a hug when I can’t give you one. I love you so much and don’t want you to ever forget what a precious gift you are. Use this journal for whatever you need right now…venting, praying, doodling, taking notes, anything. As you fill out your journal, you’ll see that I scattered some little notes and silly doodles throughout. I hope they make you smile and remember that you are loved.”

Journals are not an expensive gift; as of the writing of this article, this 160 pgs 5.7 x 8 inch is $6.99 and this 160 pgs 5.6 x 3.6 inch is $2.68.

Depending on your journal and how much time you want to spend on preparing it for your friend, you’ll want to aim for putting a note on every few page spreads. (I use the right page every time to make it easier on me and make a note or drawing about every third right page, or every sixth page.)

Below are over a dozen little ideas to get you started. Most of them can easily be accompanied with a doodle that will make your friend smile. For example, draw a stop sign with “Nothing can stop you” or boots with “I love walking through life with you.”) A quick Google Images search of “simple lamp drawing” or “cute panda drawing”—or whatever you need to draw—should help guide you even if you lack artistic skills like I do.
It doesn’t have to be perfect! At the bottom of this email I’ll share a picture of a total fail of a butterfly that I drew in a journal for a friend…but I wrote a little note making fun of it and I think it’ll make her laugh when she sees it, so mission accomplished.

Some things to write in the margins of the journal:

• You light up the room. 

• I love your brain.

• As a reminder, you are stunning. Absolutely beautiful. I hope that when you look in the mirror, you see the incredibly gorgeous person that the rest of us see.

• You deal with hard things with so much courage. One day—if not already—your kids will realize that their mom is a superhero.

• You inspire more people than you think.

• I hope you get to eat something extra yummy today. Feel free to smear a little chocolate or crumb right here. [Draw a little circle to provide space.]

  

• Loving you is easy!

• Your name means [look it up and explain how you see them resembling that]. [You could also say a way that they reflect an admirable namesake.]

• Your smile is powerful.

• I love walking through life with you.

• Here’s a cute panda. I hope you’re having a great day.

  

• You bring sunshine and warmth to all of us.

• You are [make an acrostic of their name and nice attributes that describe them.]

• I’m so glad that [their career title] like you are serving our community.

• Nothing can stop you. I’ve witnessed this.

• You’re an amazing [mom/sister/uncle/husband/etc.] I learn a lot from you.

• Quick Gratitude List. [Number it 1-15 and include a quote at the bottom such as “Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into grateful joy.” -Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Friends of faith might appreciate encouraging scriptures and little notes saying that you’re praying for them.

I hope this journal idea works for you and proves to be a huge blessing to someone…a gift that keeps on giving. It seems that written words of encouragement always come at just the right time. Most people—myself included—are just really hungry to be cheered on!

I would love to hear what types of things you would love to hear if someone gave a journal to you with little notes and doodles in it.

Warmly,

Hope from Family Scripts

P.S. As promised, here’s the butterfly drawing that went awry in a journal I was making for a friend! It turned out creepy looking, but I think it will be a funny surprise when my friend turns to that page. I just hope she’s spared from nightmares 😜