30 Days of Journaling

Image: here

Well we're finally coming up on April which means that the semester is at last winding down and sophomore year is about a month away from ending (cue the violins!) There's still so many things that my friends and I want to do and so many places that we still want to go. We only have about three weekends left before finals which is sending us all into panic mode. WHERE DID THE TIME GO?

Anyway, in my internet reading this past week I came across this post on The Everygirl. I thought it was a great idea to challenge myself to journal everyday this month. I do keep a journal, but recently it has been a place to let my frustrations out. However, this month I am going to journal a little differently. I am going to write everyday no matter what happened; the good and the bad. I will be starting it off on a good note because tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70s?!?! What?! Dresses and heels are coming out people!

<3 Ashley

Do you keep a journal? Will you do this 30 day challenge?

About OmmWriter

Photo: here

I know what your thinking right now, “Ashley, what are you doing up so early?! You’re usually up at 7, what is the meaning of this 6 AM post?” Well…they have me opening at work today and my newly bestowed position requires me to be in a bit earlier than everyone else in the store. So that’s my story…it’s work. Not because I have a strange urge to get up at 6:15 (7 is early enough in my book!)

I wrote this post yesterday so I could roll out of bed and hit publish before embarking on my 8 hour day. Today I want to write about…writing.

For the past year, as you know, I have been writing this blog almost everyday sans weekends, vacations and days that are just to unbearable. I find myself impressed with the fact that I have been able to keep up with it and am thrilled when I look back and see how the quality of my content has improved. Practice does make perfect. :) For the past month I have seen another boost in my writing.

When I write the blog I usually have music playing but I noticed that I was focusing so much on the lyrics and singing along and as a result my posts seemed just a little choppy and unorganized (in my opinion at least!) Then one day I was reading the blog Story of My Life which is currently one of my favorites and Jenni posted about a program which you can download onto your computer (for free!) called OmmWriter. I decided to download it and give it a go. The program opens up on your screen revealing a very serene, clean and non-distracting background. There is also very soft music playing and some shockingly calming typing sounds. The experience is better if you have your earbuds in blocking out the rest of the world completely, leaving yourself with just your thoughts and your work. I have definitely noticed an improvement in my writing from this since I can focus easier and honestly, I have been able to write posts quicker. I’m clocking in at about 10 minutes on this post…but this is longer than I usually go for the blog anyway. I just have a lot to say about this program. If you can, I definitely suggest downloading the program, especially if you are a serious writer who could use a calm writing environment.

<3 Ashley

What have you done to improve your writing? Check out OmmWriter here!

P.S. Today is the final day to enter the Wear It Loud giveaway with rue21! You have the chance to win a $250 shopping spree with me!