Mari McCarthy's new workbook, Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness, guides you through short journal writing exercises to help you identify old, unhealthy patterns in your life and make positive changes in your thinking and behavior to achieve your true potential. The workbook is designed to be completed in short blocks of time in a period of 27 consecutive days, and this commitment is what challenges and motivates you to create lasting change.27 Days allows you to face fears, set goals and create a plan for success in many areas of your life, including: career, money, spirituality, and emotional and physical health. Use this workbook to:
- Increase self-awareness and access the full power of your talents, skills and creativity
- Heal old wounds and learn to live in the present, not the past
- Reduce stress, manage inner critics and conduct healthy self-talk
- Reconnect with your inner kid and start having fun
- Overcome writer's block and keep a regular journal therapy practice
Download a FREE chapter here (left hand side of web page).
Book Giveaway Contest: If you'd like to win a copy of Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness, please leave a comment at the end of this post to be entered in a random drawing. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag #27Days, then come back and leave us a link to your tweet. The giveaway contest closes this Thursday, May 5th at 11:59 PM, PST. We will announce the winner in the comments section of this post the following day, Friday May 6th. Good luck!
Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness by Mari L. McCarthy is available as an ebook or a spiral-bound workbook at CreateWriteNow.com. You can also find it for the Kindle at Amazon, the Nook at Barnes & Noble, and for iBooks (iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch) at iTunes.
----- About the author:
Mari L. McCarthy, The Journal/Writing Therapist, helps you start, keep up and earn all the personal results you can with a daily pen-to-page Journaling Practice. Learn more about journal writing therapy at www.CreateWriteNow.com where you'll find Journaling for the Health of It™ inspiration, ideas, and resources, and The Journal Writing Therapy Transforms You Blog.You can also download the FREE e-book, How to Use Your Journal to Cure Writer's Block Now.
The Weekly Thursday Journaling Therapy Cures newsletter provides unique journaling tips, prompts, and writing exercises. You can sign up here and also view the e-mail archives: http://www.createwritenow.com/journaling-newsletter-archive/
And be sure to check out Mari's latest e-book, Who Are You? How to Use Journaling Therapy to Know and Grow Your Life, as well as Marcia Peterson's review of the ebook here.
----- Interview by Jodi Webb
WOW: Mari, you now lead journaling workshops and have written books on journaling including Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness. Tell us how you first began journaling.
Mari: I had a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) episode one winter about 13 years ago, when I lost feeling and function on the right side of my body. I needed a method to teach my left hand how to write. I started Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages and I could read my left-hand writing within a month!
WOW: At what point did you realize that journaling had become more than an exercise in physical therapy?
Mari: Probably within two to three weeks, I started hearing rhymes and began writing poetry for the first time in my life. Soon after I started hearing voices (later identified as my "Inner Critics," lots of them!). I began recalling snippets of my childhood and experiencing all kinds of new emotional and physical feelings. I wanted to see where I’d go next so I wrote and wrote and wrote every morning first thing.
WOW: Do you journal every day? Is it always at the same time or at the same place?
Mari: Yes, it’s always first thing in my office each day before I power up my computer.
WOW: Is it a part of your routine like brushing your teeth or do you just journal when you have something significant to say or explore?
Mari: Yes, it’s part of my daily routine. I do at least a page every day. I use that Journal throughout my work day for helping me with my writing, to help me set priorities and to work through problems--I ask her lots of questions. I keep a Journal on my nightstand for dreams and night notes when the spirit moves me. I take my Journal with me to the dentist's office, the hairdressers, anyplace I know I’ll have some me time.
WOW: What do you feel journaling does for you?
Mari: It helps me discover more about myself and create new, more positive thoughts, be more productive and accomplish more goals. It’s my primary care provider and saves me trips to the doctor and pharmacy.
WOW: What benefits do you think readers could gain from regular journaling?
Mari: They’ll understand what makes them tick emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically. They’ll learn how to dump their baggage from the past, live in the present and create the future they want.
WOW: Sounds like everyone should be journaling! What makes people hold back from starting a journal or just not keep up with their journaling habit?
Mari: Journaling is for everyone. Fear is the biggest obstacle. We have to realize that we have grown up chronologically but we’re still carrying around the erroneous messages (thoughts, feelings, beliefs) about our self that we created as children. To our Inner Kid, Journaling is seen as questioning authority and it means being selfish, spending so much time on our self when we are supposed to be saving the rest of the world. Some people have experienced someone reading their Journal and they never went back to their pages.
WOW: That’s a powerful reaction to having your words read. Is it because the emotions of a journal are so private?
Mari: Yes, I've had several clients who really want to get back to journaling, but they're so traumatized (they were teenagers and their mother or boyfriend read it, one's ex-husband read it during their marriage) and they need help in healing those wounds and trusting themselves again.
Sharing your journal is a personal choice. I have no problem if anyone wants to read mine. It often works well if you have a friend who journals and you can swap and share. Most people are still very much afraid of what other people would think and/or say.
WOW: What types of things do you journal about?
Mari: Any and everything. I just sit down and write, write, write.
WOW: Do you ever get "writer's block" when thinking what to journal about next?
Mari: No, because it’s part of my daily health routine. Like brushing my teeth, I "just do it" because it keeps me and makes me healthier.
WOW: Give us one or two tips about starting a journal.
Mari: Be good to yourself. Pick a pen and notebook from the drugstore or office supply store that call to you, that catch your eye, that you will have fun with. Find your place to set up your practice. Sit with your Journal, tune into yourself and take some meaningful breaths. Date the page and start with a statement like “today I feel…” or a question like “What am I doing this for?” then just write and write and write.
WOW: Do you do any other types of writing or artistic expression?
Mari: I’m a singer/songwriter (a goal I uncovered in my daily Journaling) and am working on "A Baby Boomer’s Christmas" album. I’m also taking up Art Journaling, something completely new for me.
WOW: Art journaling? What is that?
Mari: I haven't gotten my Art Journal kit but it contains paints and pencils and a journal and you express yourself in artwork rather than just words. My artistic experience is stick figures and smiley faces so I'm looking forward to doing this for me but also to work it into my journaling therapy business somehow.
WOW: I’m not an artist either but I can imagine images would be a great way to express some thoughts, or at least be a first step to expressing something in words. What can we expect from you next?
Mari: I have two eBooks in the works: Dark Chocolate for the Journaler’s Soul: 20 Ways to Heal and Grow Your Life and What the Health? How to Use Journaling Therapy to Master Your Money.
WOW: We’re looking forward to hearing more about them!
----- Blog Tour Dates:
Join Mari on her tour! Check out these dates and mark your calendar. You can also snag a copy of WOW's Events Calendar HERE.
May 3, Tuesday @ GaGa Sisterhood: Thirsty? Don't miss "Turning Lemons into Lemonade: Living with a Chronic Illness," a guest post from Mari McCarthy.
http://gagasisterhood.com/
May 4, Wednesday @ Donna's Book Pub: Enrich the journaling experience by using all five of your senses. Learn more from Mari McCarthy, and you can also win an ebook copy of Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling for Health and Happiness.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com/
May 10, Tuesday @ Empty Nest: Mari McCarthy talks about SIX journals everyone should be familiar with...five by well-known journalers and the SIXTH you should be writing. Readers can also win an e-format or print copy of Mari's workbook!
http://emptynest1.blogspot.com/
May 11, Wednesday @ Musings From a Midwestern Writer: Journaling expert Mari McCarthy gives readers tips for unleashing their creativity. Don't miss the giveaway of Mari's workbook Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling for Health and Happiness.
http://blog.juliealindsey.com/
May 13, Friday @ Books, Books, the Magical Fruit: Celebrate the month of May with "A May Basket of Journaling Prompts" from Mari McCarthy. You can also enter to win a copy of her workbook.
http://booksbooksthemagicalfruit.blogspot.com/
May 17, Tuesday @ Writers Inspired: Can the kid in you help improve your writing? Mari McCarthy shows you the way to your inner-kid. She'll also be giving away an e-copy of her book to a budding journal writer!
http://writerinspired.wordpress.com/
May 19, Thursday @ Adventures in the Writing Life: Think about new ways to create writing prompts for your journaling with "I Smell a Great Journal Topic" by Mari McCarthy.
http://adventuresinthewritinglife.blogspot.com/
May 20, Friday @ Lori's Reading Corner: Stop by for journal writing tips from Mari McCarthy and a chance to win an ebook or print copy of her workbook Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness.
http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/
May 24, Tuesday @ Colloquium: Want to know the inner you? Colloquium reviews Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness, and gives away and ecopy or print copy--winner's choice.
http://www.jhsiess.com/
May 25, Wednesday @ Women's Memoirs: Stop by today as Mari tells the story of writing Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness.
http://womensmemoirs.com/
May 27, Friday @ Women's Memoirs: Ever wonder what it's like to be an author on a blog tour? The ladies at Women's Memoirs get the inside scoop from Mari McCarthy as she finishes her WOW! blog tour.
http://womensmemoirs.com/
To view all of our touring authors, check out our Events Calendar HERE.
Get involved!If you have a blog or website and would like to host Mari McCarthy or schedule a tour of your own, please email Jodi at: blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com
Book Giveaway Contest: Enter to win a print copy of Mari McCarthy's workbook, Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health and Happiness.
Here's how to enter:
1. For your first entry, just leave a comment on this post! Leave a comment or ask Mari a question, to be entered in a random drawing.
2. For an extra entry, link to this post on Twitter with the hashtag #27Days, then come back and leave us a link to your tweet.
The giveaway contest closes this Thursday, May 5th at 11:59 PM, PST. We will announce the winner in the comments section of this post the following day, Friday May 6th, and if we have the winner's email address from the comments section or profile, we will also notify the winner via email. Good luck!
This book sounds like a wonderful idea and so useful for anyone, not just writers.
ReplyDeleteI've always found journaling so therapeutic and helpful in self discovery. I know I would get a lot of use out of a book like this.
OOPS! That's my son's account. Must try that again.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a wonderful idea and so useful for anyone, not just writers.
I've always found journaling so therapeutic and helpful in self discovery. I know I would get a lot of use out of a book like this.
3:42 AM
I've not done much journaling. But it sounds like a healthy lifestyle
ReplyDeletebehavior. Thanks Mari for the information you are sharing with us.
I also have relapsing-remitting MS and am a writer. I've been dealing with a wrist tissue problem on my right hand - my writing hand.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Mari's book can help me.
I have begun my next novel and rely only on typing on the computer. I have never tried to journal, but I think it may help all my issues. Thanks for your consideration.
Link to my Twitter post is peacock10. I wrote: #27days I'm a writer w/MS. I'm dealing w/abad wrist. Mari's book could help. I've begun my next novel and must type. Journaling may help.
ReplyDeleteOooh, please enter me!! I would love to win this!!
ReplyDeleteWay cool idea. Glad I happened upon your site!
ReplyDeleteI thought my journal would end up being a toxic waste dump for all my craziest thoughts. But jewels of wisdom started to sparkle through.
ReplyDeleteI still keep it password protected. Maybe someday I'll crack it open for others to see.
Until earlier this year I was never able to keep a successful journal. Then something happened and suddenly I couldn't stop writing in my journal. Now I almost never stop at a single page.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing what writing can do for your soul. I tend to allow my emotions leak out onto paper and would love a chance to read more. I need to start a journal
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book. Any insights into relieving stress through journaling is a must read for me.
ReplyDeleteTweeted about this giveaway @virgbell.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see all my fellow Journalers! Yes, Journaling is for everyone and for everything: stress reduction,healing psychophysical wounds,(now that I'm writing with both hands Woo Hoo!) problem solving, self-development, relationships, to name a few :)I'll be glad to answer your questions anytime. WriteON!
ReplyDeleteI've been doing Morning Pages for awhile now and I enjoy it/the journaling.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book! Also, I would really like to hear more about the Art Journal Kit. (I hear you about the stick figures and smiley faces!)
I enjoyed reading about your book, Mari. How wonderful your writing has helped heal you! In our writers group, we learned writing has the same effect on the brain, as meditation. Another great reason to write!
ReplyDeleteLet the words flow - Enjoy!
Michelle
I would like this.
ReplyDeleteslb3334@gmail.com
WOW! I have tried to Journal but I always feel like I am betraying people in my life if I mention them. I always start but wind up destroying it because I feel bad about kind of saying things out loud. You sort of give me permission to write what needs to be said. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis book came into my life just when I seemed to need it. I just started a blog - the first chronicals my journey to a creative writing life after I thought my life was over when I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and the second one about Jazz in the 60's which is the basis for my creative memoir about me growing up with my father who was a jazz arranger and composer. Thank you, this book is totally a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI have a few issues that I think this book could help me resolve. Please enter me!
ReplyDeleteSounds like an excellent book, please throw my name in the hat!meghan.schuessler {at} yahoo {dot} com
ReplyDeleteAs a writer I love writing and, in particular, journalling. But I often feel that I am just writing for the sake of writing and have no idea how it can be useful to me. Yes, sometimes it helps me work through problems, but most of the time I just feel like I'm rambling to myself.
ReplyDeleteDo decide on a point of focus before starting? How do you know when you're writing something worthwhile?
Mari,
ReplyDeleteThis was a very interesting interview. I've read all over the web about how journaling can help change your life, and I have tried many times to start a journal. I've never been able to get into the routine properly, but the journaling I have done-mainly in the form of poetry during and after the cancer which killed my dad-has been incredibly helpful.
I hope I'll get a chance to read and work with your book, and I hope that it will allow me to start journaling regularly.
~Dianna
Hi Bethany. Yes, it is good to have a focus. When I'm feeling adrift (or rambling as you say), I start a new page, date it and ask my Journal something like "What's going on in here?" or "I'm all over the place. What do I need to do to get focused?" Stick with questions that start with "what" or "how". They'll help you get focused faster. Please let me know how it works for you. WriteON!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am very intrigued by this book! I'm really interested in using journals as a way to heal from grief and I think I'll contact Mari soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
virginiawilliams at yahoo dot com
Thanks for the entry!
ReplyDeleteJanna Johnson
jannajanna@hotmail.com
this sounds like a really interesting book. i'm taking a time and stress management class right now, and they discuss writing and journaling as a stress reliever.
ReplyDeletearobertson75 at comcast dot net
This book sounds great! Thanks for the chance! calvad at aol dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reply Mari - I'll definitely give it a go :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really useful tool for journal writing and for improving your life. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/kittycardero/status/65851845846896641
ReplyDeleteI was once an obsessive journal writer but have since lapsed. Love the idea of guided journaling!
ReplyDeletewolverina401 at gmail dot com
I would like this for my little sister!
ReplyDeletetheyyyguy@yahoo.com
I would love to win this book! Writing is my passion.
ReplyDeletecookster77@aol.com
I tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/cooks1978/status/66139148880330752
ReplyDeletecookster77@aol.com
I have journaled off and on since I was given my first "diary" at five! I have every one but have sadly been very slack since I had my first daughter ten years ago I would love to start again, in fact realy need to at this point, this could be a great starting point for me!
ReplyDeletetracyschultz@yahoo.com
Hi, Mari:
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to your May 25 and 27 postings on Women's Memoirs.
id love to win
ReplyDeleteVery intrigued- I have a few "blocks" I need to get past to move forward, perhaps this would do the trick. Thanks for the interview and the chance to win.
ReplyDeletePosted on twitter - dddiva
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/#!/dddiva/status/66276662769238017
i would love to win
ReplyDeletesusansmoaks at gmail dot com
I would like to win
ReplyDeletepdiffy at liberty dot edu
Tweeted @pdiffy1991
ReplyDeletehttp://twitter.com/pdiffy1991
pdiffy at liberty dot edu
I love the idea of this workbook, I definitely need that extra guidance and structure to help myself become someone who can use a journal as a meaningful way to look at my life. This just is such a fabulous concept! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteKconklin1028@gmail.com
It sounds like a wonderful idea to make the changes in my life I want to make. Thanks for the giveaway. garrettsambo@aol.com
ReplyDeleteHi Everyone! WOW, what comments! FYI, we have over 100(and counting!)unique journaling prompts, ideas and tips for when you "don't have anything to write about!" http://www.createwritenow.com/journaling-ideas WriteON!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your comments! :)
ReplyDeleteWe held a random drawing for Mari's book via Random.org, and the winner is... "BECKY"!
Congratulations! You've won a copy of Mari McCarthy's book, Peace of Mind and Body: 27 Days of Journaling to Health & Happiness. Please send your mailing address to blogtour@wow-womenonwriting.com and we'll forward your address to Mari. I'm also going to send you an email because I see it's listed in your profile.
For everyone else: be sure to check out the rest of the stops on the tour for more giveaways and fantastic advice from Mari McCarthy. :)