Congratulations for saying YES to this complimentary 21-Day Writing Challenge for all writers – both seasoned and novices – those who want to deepen and nourish their writing muscle and for those tentatively stepping in to experience what it is like – as well as everyone in between.
This challenge isn’t just about putting words on paper; they are your words, the ones that matter, the ones that you may not even know yet but discover once your pen touches the paper or fingers to keyboard. Using provocative prompts, you will be inspired to write into your heart space and uncover what may have been hidden for a long time. Conversely, you may take the prompt and find poetry or prose flowing out of your pen, song lyrics or ideas for projects. We never know what will surface, and that’s the beauty of writing without a bunch of rules stifling our creative flow. Instead, we simply allow the writing to do the writing – we write where we are. Here, you find your true, authentic voice that will deepen and grow with every successive day. And you are not alone – you are taking the challenge in a community of writers like yourself – and if you choose to use the Private FaceBook page, especially for the 21-Day Challenge participants, you can share your writings or your process or offer and receive support as you go.
To help you get started: Be READY – Come to your writing table prepared to write for 20 minutes each day. I suggest you take a walk afterward to reflect and let what you just wrote percolate and integrate. Walking is also a highly recommended self-care activity at any time – and in this case, it will deepen your experience with your writing and deepen your awareness about yourself!
Soon you will be adopting my motto:
“The sweet whisperings of your soul meets you on the page, and something shifts.
You strengthen, you begin to stand taller.
Then one day, you begin to notice that
your voice on the page
has become your voice in the world.”Junie Swadron
CREATE A SACRED SPACE
(Excerpt from “Re-Write You Life”)
There’s nothing like having an inviting, friendly, beautiful writing space to inspire you every day. It does not have to be big, just welcoming. Make it personal. Make it yours. Light a candle. Place your favourite essential oil in your diffuser. Bring in freshly picked spring flowers, precious stones, shells you collected on the beach, crystals, a meaningful prayer or affirmation, or anything else that will make your writing space special and feel home to you. You may also want to put a photo on your writing desk or next to your computer of a special person or pet and imagine them smiling at you as you write. (Pets do too smile!)
Conversely, you may want to keep it very simple and not have anything or only one or two things in your personal writing space. For some, having special items may be distracting.
Also, tell your family what you are doing and ask them to please respect your new writing area and the times that you are writing. It only requires 20 minutes a day.
Day One
The best time to start writing is right after you wake up… before you get stuck in the mire of the to-do lists. This is when our mind and heart are the most open and receptive. If you MUST take the challenge and write later in the day, then that’s ok too. Just do your best. The most important thing is that you write.
Today, we are starting out with four of my favourite questions: This is a favourite exercise of mine; it can help us become crystal clear about how we want to bring writing into our hearts and lives.
Write each of the following four questions down and answer each question ten times. Take the time to listen deeply and write down what you hear. If the same answer arises for you more than once, it just means it is indeed important to you.
Although these questions may seem straightforward, your answers may surprise you:
Regarding writing, what do I want?
Regarding writing, what do I need?
Regarding writing, what do I fear?
Regarding writing, what do I hope for?
If you have any questions, be sure to ask me and feel free to share your answers or comment about how the process worked for you in the Facebook Group (link below) .
Day Two
Today’s prompt is from Rumi: “The breezes at dawn have secrets to tell. Don’t go back to sleep.”
When I read this, I thought it would be a good thing for me to frame on my wall for its literal meaning.
How often I have wanted to rise early in the morning and walk along the rocks and sand on Dallas Road beach but I do not. Even when I am conscious enough to have that thought float through my mind, even though I know how much I would benefit from the secrets I’d be told by the breezes and the sea lions gracefully swimming by, I am seduced by the warmth of my bed, its down comforter and another invitation to dreamtime.
Where do Rumi’s words take you? Set your timer for 20 minutes and write!
If you have any questions, be sure to ask me and feel free to share your answers or comment about how the process worked for you in the Facebook Group (link below) .
Day Three
Are you still feeling reticent about starting the challenge? Do you feel that if you didn’t start on Day 1, it’s too late? Well, please let me help you lay down your burdens of self-doubt and recrimination.
Even if you are reading this on day 5 or 9 or 15, it’s still not too late. It’s not too late until we’ve taken our last breath!
So I invite you, wherever you are, to jump in or simply tiptoe in. Just start from wherever you are.
Think of a time when you made a commitment to something you wanted to have happen. You weren’t sure how you were going to stay the course. There were circumstances, obstacles, and hardships that showed up, which made it almost impossible for you to continue, but you did. You did it!
Remember that time and begin to write about it. Bring in all the details. Remember, one of the first rules in writing is to show us, don’t tell us. So, describe the circumstances.
Where were you? Do you remember the year? What was it you wanted so much you could almost taste it? What was happening in your life at the time? What made you feel so passionate about it? Were there people there who were supporting you? Who were they? What was their role and their relationship to you?
Maybe there were naysayers, wet blankets, the people who said, “Forget it. It’s impossible. Or, it’s impractical or…” Who were they? How did you deal with it?
Describe the challenges you faced? How did you manage? What strengths did you draw upon to keep your commitment alive? Bring in your feelings, your fears. No holding back. And write what it was like for you when you stepped over the finish line. Then write how it feels for you as you recall that story today. Have fun!
CONVERSELY…were there times that you wanted something so badly you could taste it. You committed to doing it. You were so excited – then some outside circumstances took top priority and you never did it. How did that feel? Do you still think about it today? Are there regrets? Write about that.
GENTLE ENCOURAGEMENT: Please don’t let anything stop you from doing this 21-day writing challenge…We’re here to support you! We’re all engaged in this together. Life is always going to happen…meaning, things will always show up that can take centre stage. You signed up for this. You signed up for YOU…and I’m here to support you every step of the way as are the others. You have a tribe you are doing this with. We’ve got your back and You’ve Got This!
Here is one of my favourite passages written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe:
The Power of Commitment
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth—the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans—the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events, issues and decisions, raising in one’s favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no one could have dreamed, would have come their way… Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now…”
Set your timer for 20 minutes and write!
If you have any questions, be sure to ask me and feel free to share your answers or comment about how the process worked for you in the Facebook Group (link below) .
Day Four
Today I decided to pull a card from a deck called “I Am Divine—Affirming Our Divine Nature in Everyday Life” created by Barbara Burke Luminous Creations.
The card says, “I Am Divine Mystery. If you receive this card today you are being invited into a very powerful space, that of Divine Mystery. Being in the mystery allows for limitless possibilities. Allow yourself to be open to total surrender and know that in that place is where you access your true power.”
Ann Mortifee, a Canadian West Coast singer, wrote a book called, “Falling In Love with the Mystery”. For me the title says so much. How well do we do that? How well are we able to let go and trust? Trust that life is happening for us, not to us…and everything has divine timing as well.
I have a tapestry hanging on my wall to remind me of this every day. It’s called LOVE:
“In the end, what matters most is: how well did you love, how well did you live, how well did you learn to let go”
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Five
Are you old enough to remember when writing letters was what we did in order to communicate with friends and lovers far away? Emails? Skype? Texts? Excuse me? There weren’t men on the moon yet either! Well, just.
For me, letter writing was a sacred ritual that spawned intimacy and connection. I took the time to carefully craft each letter from my heart. As I wrote I could almost feel that person sitting beside me, and my heart opened even more. It felt private and beautiful.
The sweetness didn’t stop after placing the letter in the post box. No, after that came the fantasy of my dear one opening my letter and being moved by it, possibly even enchanted. Next was the wait. The delicious anticipation followed by the immeasurable joy of receiving his or her letter in return.
Today’s writing challenge is to write a special handwritten letter to a certain loved one who you know would absolutely adore receiving such a gift. One letter, one envelope and one stamp, from your heart to their heart that becomes a sacred keepsake forever more.
Please share your process with us in our Private Facebook group. Or, if you like, write us too about a particular letter you once wrote or that you received that is still a precious memory.
SPOILER ALERT: My next book is called: “If You Only Knew…A Book of Letters”. Stay tuned!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Six
Imagine that you are a baby kissing yourself in the mirror, and beside you sit the sacred scrolls, written through your pure heart. What does your unfettered heart of love say? As always, please share your process with us in our Private Facebook group.
In order to remember your Sacred Self – which we all are…that part of us who was born innocent and curious and beautiful and perfect just as we are …
I invite you to listen to my Gift of the Inner Child on Insight Timer (click here). You will need to make a free account in order to listen to it.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Seven
This is one of my favourite writing prompts, as we never know what is going to show up. Of all the gazillion experiences we have had over our lifetimes, what will the pen reveal when we give ourselves over to 20 minutes of “I remember…”? Have fun!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Eight
PROMPT: What are your favourite ways to keep your cool, stay sane, balanced and healthy when the demands of the day want to take over?
Here’s my entry for Day 8:
It’s hard to believe that we are finished with our first week! That we are eight days into our 21-Day Writing Challenge.
Time is so mysterious. There are still 24 hours in each day, yet every week seems to fly by faster than the one before. So much gets packed into one day. Surely, there must be more time for time out. Well, not if we don’t make time.
Yesterday, I downloaded Thich Nhat Hanh’s mindfulness bell app onto my smartphone. I have programmed it to ring every hour as a reminder to stop whatever I am doing and B R E A T H E.
A few years ago I decided to offer an opportunity for people to meditate and write with me in my home every day at 7:45 a.m. It was something I did most days anyway but I thought how wonderful and rich it would be to experience this practice with others.
So, with the full intention of this happening, the first Monday morning, I woke at six o’clock and prepared my living room with candles, lavender in my essential oil diffuser, and soft meditative music. I boiled the kettle for tea in preparation. The doorbell did not ring. No one came. Nor did they on Tuesday, Wednesday, nor any day!
I felt disappointed that no one showed up, however it didn’t take long for me to do this for myself with the same kind of loving intention. Some mornings, it’s was a stretch; I would rather linger in bed another hour or so.
Yet, knowing the benefit of this practice inspired me to show up, and frankly, making my home warm and lovely, cozying up on the sofa with a candle burning, ready to meditate and write this way, started a new habit.
However, motivated by Rumi’s poem and one of last week’s prompts, “The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell, don’t go back to sleep!” I do this first…then I write. I mix it up a bit – write and then go for a walk, or walk and then write. Both are beautiful ways to begin the day. Oh, and coffee. Yup, coffee goes with the mix!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Nine
Today’s writing prompt is another favourite of mine from Rumi:
“Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshipper, or lover of leaving. It doesn’t matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come.”
Write whatever shows up after reading the quote. It could apply to your writing practice or it could be, as I imagine Rumi intended it…a return to The Beloved.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Ten
Writing prompt: Whenever I think of ________, I …
Let the first person, place, or thing that comes to mind be who you write about and see where it takes you.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Eleven
It’s impossible to live on this earth without undergoing challenges. Some are heart-crushing, and we wonder how we will ever survive them. But somehow we did. Somehow we were stronger than we thought and hopefully, the justice in the pain and despair is the wisdom and release that came afterward.
What do you consider the most unsuspecting gift you’ve unwrapped (although it didn’t come with a pretty ribbon and bow) from one of your greatest challenges? What did you learn, and have you been able to share your learnings with others who may be going through similar struggles?
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Twelve
Is there a special song you have in your heart and when you hear it, it brings you back to that person, that event, or “the good old” days? Please tell us all about it.
My favourite song for many years was “Smile,” sung by Nat King Cole. It was the song my best friend Suki and I sang together when were children. Suki and I were inseparable until we were 20 and travelled to Europe together where we had our very first argument ever, and it separated us for 43 years.
Over the many years we were apart, whenever I heard that song, it made me feel sad. Now, I can’t stop myself from smiling! I published our story on my blog; if you would like to read more, here it is.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Thirteen
City lights…where does this take you?
Don’t let the brevity of the prompt fool you. Instead, take it to the limit…what city lights are you remembering? What is special about them? Where are you? Take us there…
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Fourteen
Please let this music video “I Choose Love” by Shawn Gallaway, take you where it will, then pick up your pen and write where you are.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Fifteen
Here’s an opportunity to use your imagination and begin writing. You don’t have to figure out the plot beforehand. Instead, let it unfold as it will, just like you have been doing all along. We get to travel first class for free in our imaginations – so travel along with her as she turns the corner…what comes next?
Bring in all the details – the first tenet of good writing is show, do not tell. Bring us into the experience with her…where is she, what’s she doing, is there anyone else with her, where was she before she turned the corner, what happened once she did?
Perhaps “she” is YOU…You are the one who turned a corner…what did you do then? What did you discover? Have fun!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Sixteen
Today’s suggestion is to grab a book off the shelf, open it to a random page, and copy down the first sentence you see into your journal.
Let that sentence be your writing prompt. Write for five minutes, then, as you read over your writing, underline a sentence that speaks to you and let that be the starting sentence for your next fifteen minutes of writing. Continue!
Let us know where this prompt takes you in our Private Facebook group.This is one of my favourites! Why? Because you can’t have any preconceived notions about what you are going to write.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Seventeen
Your prompt for today is a recorded song I co-wrote with David Halliwell. I wrote the lyrics, David wrote the music, and we both sang along with the choir.
We created this work to normalize mental illness – to reduce the stigma and take it out of the closet of shame and embrace one another instead.
Listen to the song here (or by the image at the top of this email) and Write Where You Are (write into wherever the song takes you).
Be sure to turn up the volume and get ready to dance! Because It’s A Brand New Day! And if you like it, please share it to spread the message and the joy!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Eighteen
CHILDREN LIVE WHAT THEY LEARN
If a child lives with criticism,
She learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
She learns to be shy.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
She learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
She learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.
If a child lives with praise,
She learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness
He learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
She learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
He or she learns to find love in the world.
~ Author unknown
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Nineteen
What’s in a name? Everything. Tell us what your name means to you.
Some of us like our names; some of us change them. I chose to change “June” to “Junie” because my mom called me “Junie” when she was in a good mood and guess what she called me when she wasn’t. These days when people call me “June”, I don’t get too upset. Well, let’s say I don’t get militant! 🙂 My mom loved me even if her tone of voice didn’t always sound warm and fuzzy.
Tell us what your name means to you. Also, my last name was changed from Schwadron to Swadron after World War II. We hailed from Austria and five generations of orthodox rabbis. Our family broke the mold!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Twenty
Today’s Prompt is Shall We Dance…Who have you danced with recently, in reality, or figuratively?
You weren’t alone – you were doing something together with a friend or relative or partner or pet which was so delightful for both of you, you got up and danced, or at least you could have…the energy was just like that!
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Day Twenty-One
Over the past 20 days, we’ve embarked on a journey of self-discovery and creative expression through writing. Now, as we reach the final day, it’s time to reflect on what writing truly means to each of us and how our perspectives may have evolved.
Writing for me means…
Take a moment to consider this prompt and share your thoughts with the group. Your reflections can provide insight and inspiration to others on their writing journeys.
At the beginning of this challenge, we asked ourselves several important questions about our writing aspirations and concerns:
Regarding writing, what do you want?
Regarding writing, what do you need?
Regarding writing, what do you fear?
Regarding writing, what do you hope for?
Now that you’ve completed the challenge, revisit these questions. Reflect on how your answers may have changed or deepened over the course of these 21 days. Allow your soul to speak through your pen and capture these evolving insights.
Consider these prompts carefully and let your inner voice guide you. This is your opportunity to channel your deepest passions and truths into your writing.
As always, set your timer for 20 minutes and write where this passage takes you. Do your best to go for a walk afterward to reflect on what you just wrote. Take a notebook with you to write down any aha’s, insights, and ideas that have sprung into your mind since your writing.
Congratulations!
Congratulations on completing the 21 Day Writing Challenge! This is a significant milestone in your writing journey, but it’s just the beginning. Writing is a continuous process of growth and discovery, and there are many more opportunities to explore and develop your skills.
If you’re excited to keep writing and want to continue working with Junie, she’s available to guide you further. You can reach out to her at jdswadron@gmail.com for more information on how to proceed. Whether you’re looking for personalized feedback, new challenges, or simply more inspiration, Junie can help you take the next steps in your writing adventure.
Think of your writing journey like a road trip. Completing this challenge is akin to reaching a fascinating landmark; there’s still a whole map to explore. Junie is like a seasoned travel guide, ready to help you navigate the twists and turns ahead, discover hidden gems, and make the most of every stop.
So, keep that momentum going and continue to unleash your creativity. Your next chapter awaits!
Remember you can always come over to Junie’s Writing Sanctuary to join us in my private Facebook group that celebrates writing to keep the momentum going. All you need to do is request to join and I will open the gates for you. Join the fun, the audacity, the vulnerability, the creativity, the daring and hopefulness, the challenges… everything we writers go through when putting pen to paper.
Writing can be a lonely activity, but not at the Sanctuary. It’s a place to share your writing, your process… to be seen and heard. At the Sanctuary we all show up wherever we are, fledgling or seasoned writer, blocked and frustrated or flowing with personality, creativity, and magic. Let’s interact and be part of a community that writers and all artists crave.