Things I like: Silk + Sonder

I've always wanted to be the kind of person who journaled regularly. I've tried, since I was a kid, to keep a diary or a journal or a planner of some sort and always failed. With Silk + Sonder, I have finally found something that I can stick to.

I saw an ad for the S+S journal subscription on Instagram several months ago and, while spending $20 a month for a journal seemed a bit extravagant, I was going through an incredibly difficult time and something about it just seemed like it would be good for me. And it is.

There are several reasons why S+S has become one of my favorite things.

1. Monthly Themes - One of the things that makes S+S so easy for me to stick to is that you get a new journal every month. With a regular journal, I would see those empty pages and feel like I had failed somehow, which would reduce my motivation to keep going for the rest of the year. With monthly journals, if you miss a few days, or even a few weeks, you don't have to worry about a big empty space. There's no shame in being less active in your journaling for a while. Every month is a fresh start. On top of that, each month comes with a particular theme with relevant journal prompts and activities. It keeps things fun and interesting.

2. Flexible Structure - I tried Bullet Journaling for a while and I really, really wanted to love it. The idea of it is wonderful. A blank canvas to design as you wish, to create the perfect planner for your needs. I'm a creative woman, so this is right up my alley. Except I kind of hated it. It was overwhelming and took too much of my limited energy. I had to figure out everything for myself and searching for inspiration online didn't help. I was just left feeling like anything I did in my journal wasn't "good enough." Silk + Sonder has just the right amount of structure for me. There are monthly and weekly spreads, areas for notes, trackers, etc. But if any part of this doesn't fit what you need? Change it! You're encouraged to repurpose anything that doesn't speak to you into something that does. Don't need a daily food tracker? Use that area to write down affirmations, appointments, shows you want to watch. I use the "shopping list" area to keep track of packages I'm expecting in the mail, and I changed the "sleep tracker" into a "work tracker." This journal is for you, and there's no wrong way to use it.

3. Fun Extras - So, yeah, $20 for a monthly journal might seem like a lot, but you're really getting a lot more than that. The subscription comes with an app that's full of things to enhance your S+S experience. You get Daily Rituals which are guided journaling exercises, themed BINGO activities, daily affirmations, and Sonder Club where you can interact with other members of the community. On top of this, there are Sonder Socials. These are online events where you complete parts of your journal with other members. The host provides examples for inspiration or help if you're feeling stuck, and you can chat with others while you work. While you certainly can do Silk + Sonder on your own if that's your preference, it's great that you don't have to. It's a fun way to connect with other people while working on your own goals.

My life is difficult right now, and Silk + Sonder helps a lot more than I expected. I am focusing more on self-care and growth and progress. I am feeling more connected to other people. If these are things that you need in your life, then I highly recommend giving S+S a try. I use this journal, and the app, every single day and I love it.

XO

P.S. I don't work for S+S, I'm not being paid for this, I just really like their product.