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Gratitude journaling is one of the simplest ways to shift your mindset, boost happiness, and bring more awareness to the little joys in life. It doesn’t take much—just a notebook, a pen, and a few minutes each day. Whether you're new to journaling or looking to deepen your practice, here’s everything you need to know to get started. Why Gratitude Journaling? It’s backed by science: studies show that regularly practising gratitude can improve mental health, reduce stress, and even enhance sleep. It helps you focus on what’s good (because there’s always something), and over time, it rewires your brain to notice more positivity in your daily life. How to Get Started You don’t need a fancy setup—just a journal or even the unused pages of your diary will do! But if you love the idea of a structured practice, a guided journal like The Five Minute Journal can make it even easier to stick with. Here’s a simple way to start: 📝 Morning Reflection List three things you’re grateful for (big or small) Set an intention for the day Write a positive affirmation 🌙 Evening Reflection Note three highlights from your day A challenge you faced and what you learned One way you can make tomorrow even better That’s it! A few words, a few moments, and a simple shift in focus that can change everything. 30 (More) Prompts to Inspire Your Gratitude Journaling Some days, gratitude flows naturally. Other days, a little inspiration helps. Here are some prompts to guide your practice: Daily Gratitude Prompts: A small moment from today that made you smile A simple pleasure you never want to take for granted A challenge that taught you something valuable A person who made a difference in your life A past version of you that got you where you are today A place that feels like home A piece of music, art, or a book that brings you joy Something about yourself that you’re proud of A favourite ritual or routine you cherish Something you’re looking forward to Reflecting on Growth & Perspective: A lesson life has recently taught you A difficult moment that led to something good A piece of advice you’re grateful you received A past challenge that made you stronger Someone who shaped the person you are today Noticing the Little Things: The coziest thing about your morning The best thing about the season you’re in A favourite food or drink you love Something in nature that caught your eye today A random act of kindness you witnessed or received Manifesting More Goodness: One thing you’d love more of in your life A way you can bring joy to someone else A dream you’re grateful to be working towards A habit you’re glad you’ve built One way you can slow down and appreciate today more Making Gratitude Journaling a Daily Habit Like any habit, consistency is key. Here are a few ways to make gratitude journaling part of your routine: ✨ Keep it simpleNo need to write a novel—just a few words a day is enough.📍 Pair it with another habitTry writing after your morning coffee or before bed.🖊 Use a pen that makes writing feel goodWe love smooth gel pens or even a fountain pen for a mindful touch.📖 Keep your journal somewhere visibleOn your bedside table, desk, or wherever you’ll see it daily.🔄 Make it part of your plannerIf you already use a diary, jot down one thing you're grateful for in the notes section each day. A Little Kit to Get You Started To make gratitude journaling a daily ritual, we’ve put together a bundle with everything you need. It includes The Five Minute Journal, a guided journal designed to help you build a consistent habit of reflection. Two smooth-writing pens are included because the right pen makes all the difference in making the practice enjoyable. A handy adhesive pen loop ensures you're never without a pen when inspiration strikes. And finally, the ‘Go Slow’ affirmation wall print with a hanger serves as a gentle reminder to slow down and appreciate the little moments. Shop here. Final Thought Life is made up of moments—the quiet ones, the joyful ones, the ones that take courage, and the ones we barely notice until they’re gone. Gratitude journaling helps you slow down and truly see them. Start small. Just a few words each day. What’s something good about today? ✨ Begin here.

Discover the art of junk journalling—where memories, creativity, and paper scraps come together! Learn how to layer, collage, and personalise your journal using stickers, vintage papers, keepsakes, and more. From essential supplies to easy techniques, this guide will help you start your junk journalling journey with confidence. No rules, just creativity!

Our tips on journalling for mental health...

Australia's natural beauty is undeniable. Our land is a constant source of wonder. Capturing this essence on paper is no easy feat, but Dr. Vanessa Lewis, the artist behind Apothecary Artist, achieves it with stunning results. Her Australian prints are more than just pictures, they're vibrant odes to the flora and fauna that define our unique environment. Here's why you'll fall in love with these captivating works of art: A Celebration of Local Flora: Apothecary Artist's prints showcase the stunning diversity of Australian botanicals. From the delicate waratah to the otherworldly beauty of the kangaroo paw, these prints bring the brilliance of our native flora into your home. Handcrafted with Love: Each print is a testament to Vanessa's dedication to her craft. Her use of natural paints and, in some cases, gold leaf, imbues each artwork with a depth and texture that mass-produced prints simply can't replicate. You're not just buying a print; you're acquiring a piece of artistic passion. See how delicately the gold has been applied on this Kangaroo Artwork Sustainable Beauty: For the eco-conscious art lover, Apothecary Artist's commitment to sustainable practices is a major plus. Vanessa's use of natural paints and her dedication to ethical production ensure you can feel good about the art you bring into your home. Australian made: All of the prints are Australian made & packaged by hand Bringing the Australian Bush Indoors: Whether you're an avid art collector or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, these prints offer a window into the magic of Australia's unique flora and fauna. Bring a touch of the Australian bush - indoors. Shop here. 

How to write a beautiful, personal and meaningful Mother's Day card for your Mum.

Bella candidly discusses the ongoing challenge of staying organised, particularly as a mother of three. Bella's solution involves a large wall planner and a bulk planning system. She shares practical tips like using enjoyable stationery, dedicating a specific pen for planning, and adopting a monthly bulk planning routine to ease week-to-week burdens. She advocates for family involvement through weekly check-ins, making planning a collaborative effort. She outlines her tips for How to stay consistent with planning.

Fountain pens have a timeless charm that no other writing instrument can quite match and we looooove them around here. If you're the proud owner of a fountain pen, you're already well aware of the elegance and smooth writing experience it offers. One of the essential skills every fountain pen enthusiast should have is the ability to refill their pen. In this guide, we'll take you through the simple and rewarding process of refilling your fountain pen with another cartridge. If you're keen to use a converter, read this blog. Step 1: Gather Your Supplies Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary items on hand: Your fountain pen An ink cartridge that fits your fountain pen A stable and clean workspace Some paper towel for cleaning Step 2: Remove the old cartridge Gently unscrew the barrel to reveal the empty cartridge and remove the empty cartridge. Make sure you pop it straight into the bin! Step 3: Preparing Your Pen for Refilling Take your chosen ink cartridge and give it a gentle shake to ensure the ink is well-mixed. Insert the small end of the cartridge into the pen's grip section. Press the cartridge firmly until you feel a slight resistance. This indicates that the cartridge is securely in place. Step 4: Re-assemble your pen Screw the barrel of your pen back to the grip section gently but firmly. This should pierce the cartridge and allow ink to begin flowing! Step 5: Testing Your Pen Once you've refilled your fountain pen, give it a gentle shake to help the ink flow. Begin writing on a piece of clean paper to let the ink settle into the nib. You'll notice the smooth, consistent ink flow that fountain pens are known for. Step 7: Cleaning Up After you're done refilling your pen, make sure to wipe off any excess ink from the grip section and nib. This prevents smudging and ensures a clean writing experience.     If you need any help, make sure you get in touch with our team, we are always happy to help ◡̈ ✎ 

When I was a new school Mum, I found the whole school routine a lot. As the term went on, we added more and more and more to the calendar. Different uniforms for different days, school readers, Library day... Our mornings became a full on stress zone. “Do you have your hat!? Do you have your library bag!? OH NO it’s not sports day because it’s week b!!!”. I am a super busy but no fuss kinda planning girl, despite owning a stationery shop - I actually don’t do a LOT of paper planning. I’m what you would call a hybrid planner. I use my phone for a lot of things on the go. I shop online for groceries so I don’t really meal plan very much anymore. I have 3 kids and they are all 3 years apart so they have different needs. I NEED a schedule, but I don’t like rigidity and I am not good at deep planning so I invented this planning method that actually works! It’s super easy and takes about 25 minutes once a Month and 1-2 minutes once a week. So if you’re a bit like me, you LOVE to be organised and know what’s going on but don’t want to spend hours planning I GOT YOUUUUUUU! What you need: A bunch of coloured pens, I use Staedtler A large box format calendar A pencil, I also love the HB staedtler but any pencil works! Optional: A set of stickers (choose your own aesthetic, or a highlighter can work too). Check out our sticker range here.  This plan (it comes free with the calendars) it has visual images and a step by step guide of how to make this work for you.  How to make it work for you As soon as your term timetable is released set yourself 20 minutes and a clear table and pull up your calendar (you'll probably just need two terms) and allllll your pens. Now, set yourself a scheme. Don’t think too much about it. Break your items down into what makes your mornings easier. For me it’s a colour for each of these - of course, you’ll have your own categories. UNIFORMS NEED TO PACK EXTRA CURRICULAR/SPORTS/ACTIVITIES ETC AFTER / BEFORE SCHOOL PLANS (PICKUP ETC) SOCIAL EVENTS WORK COMMITMENTS Pull up the months you’re using for the school term and have them both in front of you (I also will reference the school newsletter here) Start with one item, don’t go day by day. First, plug in what’s required each day for uniforms, if they wear a standard uniform most of the time, don’t put that in there, just write SPORTS on sports/PE days. You don’t need to overcomplicate it. Continue with every other items with a new colour each item. *Hint* don’t put in items that you know, ie. don’t write “school 9-3”, that’s already assumed and not needed. Only add items that you might need reminding. If you have multiple kids in school who need organising (at some point they will get their own calendar to manage, but you could add their initial next to each item or split the calendar in half with a dotted line. GOAL: To put ALL the info for the term in at once.  However you co-ordinate the colours/themes doesn’t matter as long as it makes sense for you. *hint* for kindy kids, you could use pictures or stickers to help them remember. eg: “Blue star days are sports uniform days” Now, use your pencil to pencil in any “possible” items that may change in the future. This can always be rubbed out and redone. If you can, once a week (with your partner if there is one, or with the kids if they are older) have a quick 2 minute family meeting to discuss the plans for the week or add any new items you may have booked but not written. How to work the hybrid system When you are out and about, use your phone to add things to your calendar. I will often find myself in a doctors app making a booking for the next one or making weekend plans with friend, so I’ll put it in my phone calendar but then on a Sunday (or whatever day Family meeting happens) I’ll have a quick glance ahead at what’s been put into my calendar and transfer it to the wall calendar or vice versa.  How it works in the morning My eldest daughter LIVES by this method. When she gets up in the morning she references the wall calendar. She loves to use either stickers or a coloured highlighter to tick or sticker the day. She will check which uniform she has and my husband will also reference it to see what he needs to pack or if there’s anything he needs to know. We have removed the morning "thinking". It's all written clearly, it's easy to reference. We don’t over-schedule, if we know what days our daughter has preschool, we don’t need to write that in. We only write in what needs to be noted or remembered. The point of this is to remove the morning stress, to keep everyone on track. I also love that my daughter sees the value in planning. As she is getting older, I will encourage her to add her own events on as she has them. I hope this helps your school days as it has helped mine! Your friend & fellow mum in the trenches - Bella