Journaling Program
Focused on enabling coming-of-age girls to give their thoughts a voice through written self-reflection, the Journaling Program tasks participants with keeping a diary to practice mindfulness, mental self-care, and reflection.
“From a tiny spark may burst a mighty flame.”
—Dante Alighieri
2020 Journaling Program
Session 1: Mindfulness | March 14–April 18, 2020
Evolve Workplace 260 Wentworth Ave. E, West St. Paul
Girls ages 12–17 are invited to join each other on a deep dive into nature’s most beautiful creation—their own minds. With up to three themed sessions, GRP’s Journaling Program helps participants form this invaluable habit with the tools, strategy, and encouragement they need to make moments of reflection a regular part of their lives. To help them on the way, girls are equipped with writing prompts, daily inspiration, weekly challenges, a supportive community through Canvas, and a GRP journal and toolkit.
OUR PROGRAM
It’s said that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so for good measure, each GRP Journaling Program sessions lasts 42.
Our Journaling Program welcomes all preteen and adolescent girls to embark on a journey of introspection and self-improvement. Participants keep a daily journal, participate in weekly challenges, and explore themes of thoughtfulness, connection, and self-actualization.
Special Program features include theme-related activities and techniques to practice and report on, a guest speaker tied to each session theme and an option to present at the annual youth conference.
Commitments: All participating girls will be asked to commit to the following:
- Make daily journal entries, taking a minimum of 15 minutes out of their day to write
- Check in with their co-journalers once a week to report on theme topics
- Attend two face-to-face meetings to open and close the program
WHY JOURNALING?
Journaling has long been known as one of the most beneficial practices of successful people throughout history. From Marie Curie to Lady Gaga, artists and scientists alike have used journals to organize and better articulate their thoughts on the way to making timeless masterpieces and revolutionary discoveries. Doctors recommend journaling to support mental health, citing research that found daily journaling can strengthen emotional and even physical health. For teens especially, developing a habit for daily self-reflection and emotional verbalization gives them a head start on everything from schoolwork to social scenarios—a chance to triage conflicts and simulate hypotheses; conceptualize positive methods to manage stress, anxiety, and depression; and practice healthy decision-making, set personal goals, and analyze negative thoughts and behaviors.
SESSION 1: MINDFULNESS WITH LISA XIONG
March 14–April 18, 2020 
To many, practicing being present sounds like doing nothing. But the act of focusing on the now—known as mindfulness—is so beneficial, schools teach it to students to help with stress and anxiety.
Throughout this session, girls will be provided instructions for various mindfulness techniques. By focusing their attention on their thoughts, bodily sensations, and environment without judgment, the girls will be able to reflect on their feelings without being influenced by their anxieties about the past and future or the societal pressures to conform to an standard of beauty or status that no longer exist.
In addition to their writing commitments, girls will practice mindfulness techniques:
- Meditation
- Mindful Listening
- Sensory Awareness
- Setting Intentions
- Body Scan
ABOUT LISA
A Yoga and Strong by Zumba Instructor and currently working on her Massage Therapist certificate. Her passion for promoting health & wellness stems from her personal journey; at an early age, she experienced deep depression and as well as in her early 20s. After leaving her marriage, Yoga and meditation became an outlet that helped her overcome depression and lift her spirits. Through this practice, is how she gives hope to others who may be experiencing/living with depression or any other health struggles. In 2018, she launched her socially driven wellness business, called Youvana. Youvana’s mission is to create space for the community to heal. Her work is focused on the women and girls in the Hmong community and she has expanded her reach by teaching Somali women, seniors, and kids. Her vision is to bring healing and close the health disparity gap in our community of colors through services, programs, and natural products that Youvana offers.
TESTIMONIALS FROM 2019 ATTENDEES