The celebration bubbles have burst and a new year has begun. I’m not sure how I feel about the start of 2026 up here in Minnesota. Without hitting my own nerves, it feels strange to carry around my passport with me as a precaution or having to rehearse the phrase, “I am a US citizen in my mind before I head out the day.” But it’s happened.
Let’s just say it. I am someone blessed with color. The odd thing is I’m paler than most people up here. Does that even make sense? Well, scenarios have played out in my head because I have a writer’s mind. Would telling an officer if I get pulled over that I can’t come in for questioning because my crock pot is on at home be enough of a reminder as to why some things are ridiculous.
I grew up here and I do use my crock pot at least once or twice a week. When I certain words come out of my mouth, I do sound like I belong in the movie Fargo. I also look up hot dish recipes. Having grown up in the suburbs, my life looked like the blanket of snow outside my window. Of course, now I find that statement sad but it’s the truth.
And should someone really have to sound or look like a character from Fargo up here? How many people who look like most of the characters in that movie are carrying around their passport right now or rehearsing certain phrases just in case?
How am I handling everything up here? Well, I’m not letting it stop me. Before things grew to national coverage, I was already struggling. I feel stuck on a never ending story but I’m still typing something and taking tidbits from other writers that I follow. My magician’s bag of prompts have helped me with my writing and my artwork.
I’ve added a new trick to my magic bag this year and it’s been keeping me consistent. My new way of prompting is junk journaling. Yes, I am using stickers, paper scraps and whatever else I can tape into a blank journal to get my brain stimulated again. I don’t worry about full sentences, grammar or making things pretty. I focus on filling up the pages with whatever catches my fancy. I have to say, this method filled up blank pages than trying to come up with some brilliant phrase.
So, if your brain is off to a sluggish start this year, then junk journal. Get out stickers, scrap paper, cocktail napkins, or whatever you can tape down into a blank journal to get your brain working again. Sometimes, it’s not about deep meaning or the perfect sentence. It’s about movement and action.
Sometimes, we need a new kind of escape to get inspired. Let’s just hope my escape is only about art and filling pages up here. Until next time, junk journal away. Stay safe out there!
Imagine Inspire Create: 52 Weeks of action and gratitude is available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S6XCLFY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Q7MHM9CFBSASDG56YMJQ
Get closer to your writing goals with my Writer’s Journal filled with writing prompts and exercises. You can find a copy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0931QRL7C/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_VTHN0QSHXRYK6RJ1XSWQ.
Yoon Ju
Writer's Block Inc 