A Field Guide for a Friend

It is no secret that my go-to gift is a journal. Why wouldn’t it be? There are so many pretty ones out there, and no one can ever have too many of them. Sometimes I simply give a beautiful store-bought journal or diary, while other times I will do my best to alter a blank book to give it some personality.

A Field Guide for a Friend Project

Here, I did a little of both, making my own version of a field guide to give a friend who has been wanting to journal more, but isn’t always sure of what to write. To help combat writer’s block, I typed up a series of writing prompts, which I printed out and trimmed to size. I placed them in a glassine envelope so my friend can easily pull out a prompt whenever she is at a loss over what to write.

I also tucked in plenty of journaling cards so she can write down brief thoughts, or even adhere a photo or memento for safe keeping. To add interest to a few of the pages, I lined the edges with washi tape, adding a tab made from folded paper to call attention to some of the extra-special tape.

You can’t give a journal as a gift without a special writing tool, so I wrapped the book up with some nice green burlap and tucked in a couple of my favorite pencils.

Prompts to Get You Started

• What's the kindest thing you could do for someone in your life right now?
• What are some of the smallest victories you've experienced lately?
• What is one thing you're completely certain of at this moment?
• Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?