One of my earliest memories is saving money to buy a–wait for it–notebook. Yes, I earned money so I could buy a Hello Kitty journal.
As the daughter of an immigrant and an (unreasonably) proud homeschooled child, I loved writing, but often had to use old or discarded notebooks my mom found while dumpster diving.
I learned how to save money from exchanging recyclables for cash, selling lemonade, and hosting a yard sale when I was nine years old.
When I walked into the bright pink Hello Kitty store (which smelled like peach cream, fresh erasers, and grape soda) and bought my first ever new journal, I felt like Ernest Hemingway. Little Ernesta Hemingwariguez. That was the start of my passion for journaling.
Every year, I start a new journal and I add entries whenever I can (traveling, during low moments, when I need to figure out what to do next, etc.). Take a look at my 2022 journal versus my 2023 journal.
Last year’s journal looks like it took a beating, but it’s simply signs of motherhood. My daughter left a greasy burrito on my journal…she put stickers on it…she left me notes on the cover (and virtually every page).
When I look back on what I wrote in it, I see peaks and valleys, which is just a poetic way of saying I ate crap, I blundered, I got lost, but found a way to keep going.
Ernesta Hemingwariguez strikes again!
Journals, for me, are a testament to surviving 100% of my hardest days. It’s realizing that the moments I thought defined or ruined me, were simply challenges to determine my strength. If each page could talk, it’d yell at me, HOW BAD DO YOU WANT THIS SO BUCK UP AND KEEP GOING.
(My journal has the same attitude of my Puerto Rican cousin who lives in the Bronx and wears hoop earrings so big they practically touch her elbows.)
Without sounding dramatic, journaling has changed my life. At my lowest points, being able to write my thoughts revealed my greatest worries…and then opened my eyes to the next best action to take. If you’re ready to journal in 2023, I’d love to sell you my new journal now available at Target…JUST KIDDING I AM NOT PITCHING A JOURNAL.
If you’re ready to journal in 2023, here’s a very simple framework to get you started:
When you start journaling, take a photo and tag me on your Instagram story…bonus points if you have a Hello Kitty journal.
To writing our futures,
j*
P.S. If you are starting 2023 by mapping out your goals and creating a plan to reach them, you’ll want to >>press play<< on this podcast episode. I’m going to walk you through the exact process I use to map out my goals each quarter and break them down into doable monthly, weekly, and daily assignments. I’ve used this process for years and seen the results in my business – and I can’t wait to share it with you. Press >>PLAY<< now!
Life is about to get a whole lot easier.
Desperate for change, I created a Productivity Planner to help streamline my workflow and I kissed stress goodbye.
[With cherry flavored chapstick.]
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How To Get Organized And Create
A Productive Work Schedule
5 Ways To Easily Get Authentic
Engagement On Instagram
5 Photos For You To Use On
Social Media
Oh, friend, it's time to start growing your business on Instagram.
Sign up to receive a free Instagram marketing guide, helpful tips, and free stock photos you can use for your business.
It’s basically an Instanote sent to your inbox to help push you toward your social goals and help grow your following.
You're busy, pulled in lots of directions, and trying to run a business.
In addition to all this, you know you should be posting on social media, so how do you balance it all?
I'm dedicated to your success, so download five free stock photos to use online...I hope this empowers you to attract dream customers along the way!
I wouldn’t say we were business nerds but my husband just sent me a Slack message asking me to call him.
If you need me, just follow the trail of empty La Croix cans around my house.
"Margaritas make me sound smarter, dance better, sound amazing, and look like Shakira...
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