Seeking In September Journal Challenge

I am so excited to present to you this challenge. And it really is a challenge unlike any other!

Habitual reality. What is it? This is something that has been on my mind a great deal recently. I touched on it in a recent blog post on living a magical life. Habitual reality is living everyday in the flow of culture and the system we were brought up in. To leave it publicly for one second is very uncomfortable. For example, if you take the train anywhere, you get on, find a seat (a rarity today), and sit down and occupy yourself until you reach your destination. Now imagine, and you don't have to try very hard because today you can easily find videos which have gone viral on this,imagine standing up boldly and playing an upbeat tune on an instrument. On these occasions, more often than not, people join in or smile and you have created something magical. A moment people will be hard pressed to forget. You have expressed creativity publicly. To do that requires bravery. In other words, it really is about dancing to the beat of your own drum.

Now I'm not saying to do something as bold as this! It's just an extreme example of stepping out of, for one moment, the flow of reality, which for most people is their culture and it's unspoken rules. When we do this, we begin to notice. Mindfulness has come a long way in helping us to notice, but it does so within the confines of our day to day reality. 

In this challenge we are going to begin by asking ourselves, if we could do, be, experience anything, what would it be? What did we believe possible as a child? Do we secretly value this today or have we relegated it to myth and fantasy? 

Our answer/s will form the basis of, and personalise, this challenge. 

For me, when I was a child, I believed a great deal that the realm of nature was vast, with hidden dimensions to it. That it is conscious and there is so much more to the earth to discover, yet we have lost the ability to see. I'm very drawn to anything Celtic because this touches on what I'm trying to say. Learning about the Celts was my way as an adult to try and stay connected to what I believed as a child. 

Now all of that is relegated outside reality and into the realm of myth. To study it is fine, society is down with that. But for those who actively seek these things, they are deemed a bit out there. A bit too woo woo. It's like they're saying, "yes, reach for the stars and dream big! But not too big and only to the stars we can name and label!"

The challenge

So to the challenge. This will be split into four. Rather than a daily challenge we will focus on one theme a week. This opens up so much space for us to seek in without pressure.

Each week, using our answers to form a basis of our challenge, we will do something creative that involves seeking outside our habitual reality. Creativity is active. It requires bravery. Whether that's personal with yourself or in the public sphere. You can choose from the following to document your progress;

• Journaling
• Photography
• Painting
• Writing

Anything.

Week One - Begin

This week, buy a book related to your topic. For example, I have this one called 'The walkers guide to outdoor signs and clues.' 

Next, choose your notebook, because you will need one for note taking. Especially one that is portable. I'm using my Travelers Notebook because in it I can make notes, paint and draw. For me it's a catch all. It also has a pouch at the back to carry art supplies. I got mine from Rkive Journals https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/RkiveJournals

Choose a time when you can read. It doesn't have to be much. Even a couple of pages is fine. The main thing is to be open to something that speaks to you. It's important to make notes of anything that resonates with you. We will go over these notes at the end of the challenge. Read your chosen book throughout the month. If books really aren't your thing, magazines are perfectly fine! Just make sure they're on your chosen topic.

Week Two - Notice

Photo by Annie Spratt 

Okay, so now we come to the good stuff. This week, Be AWARE. Begin to pause and take notice of things you wouldn't normally stop to look at. For example, an unusual building, plant life, trees, stars, graffiti, etc. Begin to form this into a habit of noticing. Begin to document this by any means you choose. 

I will be taking my journal, sketching and writing on the go. This I will share in the group and on IG by taking photos. Use the hashtag #SeekingInSeptember if you choose to share on IG so that we don't miss it. 

Week Three - Ritual

By now, we should begin to experience a new depth in day to day life, and maybe experience signs, serendipity, new ideas, etc. Make sure you make note of these.

This week we're going to start creating a ritual to suit our personal preferences, beliefs etc. This is about self-care while using all our sense to tap into things more deeply and nurturing the hopefully growing sense of wonder. 

Your ritual could be as simple as buying some fresh flowers, making some fresh coffee or herbal tea, photos and/or pictures, lighting a candle and sitting down comfortably.

The aim of this is to allow everything you have gathered so far to marinate while focusing on what you have discovered and what you would like to do next. Just be. Allow any ideas, thoughts to flow and no matter how absurd they may be, entertain them for a while. 

This can take place in the comfort of your home or in a special place outdoors.

This week continue to read your chosen book/magazine and notice/be aware.

Week Four - Go and Seek

This week is a fun, yet daring one. Set aside a day, or time to step out of your comfort zone. You can do any of the following or come up with your own;

• Go somewhere that ignites your passion, your dream, your deep beliefs. Get your notebook out and sketch or paint. Or you can take photos. 
• Maybe book a time to listen to a talk given by someone. 
• Sign up for a course/workshop
• Join a group of like minded individuals
• If you feel brave, push those boundaries and post your creative work online

The main point of this is to creatively act. For example, I may do a couple of the above. I wouldn't mind finding like minded people so I might look for a group local to me or online.

The challenge starts Saturday September 1st, but you can prep before that day by answering the questions and purchasing/borrowing a book. 

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask! I will be posting more in depth info each week in the group.

Geraldine xx