WORDS & PICTURES: Abi Prowse
Follow The Soul Goods on Instagram | TheSoulGoods.com
We all know that the concept of gratitude journaling checks out; it’s a way to remind ourselves of life’s wonderful moments when things seem difficult or mundane. But over the years, a collective sense of overwhelm has surrounded the idea of journaling and mindfulness, where this theoretically simple practice has started to feel more like homework than escapism.
It was precisely this issue that inspired founder Richelle to establish The Soul Goods, a small business whose beautiful selection of diaries are carefully designed to cut through the noise of the wellness industry, taking your hand and leading you through the process of gratitude journaling. The linen- and vegan leather-bound hardback books are soft to the touch, with muted pastel colourways that would slot seamlessly into any Pinterest board; but the diaries’ luxury aesthetic is far from their most important characteristic. “Our core products are designed to help people on their journey of growth and self-discovery,” she explains. “The Soul Goods was founded to create tools for personal transformation and mental health that feel like a treat, not a chore.”
Carry-on Style Guide: Wintour’s Luxury Travel Jewellery Case Will Keep Your Trinkets Safe
In fact, it was a diary gifted to the founder at the age of nine that first allowed her to nurture this lifelong affection towards the act of gratitude journaling; each book since then has acted as a companion through the different stages of her life, a trusted outlet in which to process anxiety, reflect on her experiences and emotions, and document her memories. Now, she never travels without a journal. “There’s something about writing on the go – when your thoughts are unfiltered and you’re fully immersed in new experiences – that makes journaling even more meaningful,” she shares.
Although it would be easy to wax lyrical on each of the diaries The Soul Goods currently offer, it was their 180 Good Things Journal that initially called to me. Like many, I’ve tried for years to incorporate gratitude journaling into my daily life, but found the practice quickly lost meaning, becoming repetitive and (frankly) boring. And it turns out I’m not alone. “When researching, we found that writing the same things every day – morning coffee, a good night’s sleep, a relaxing evening – turned gratitude into a task rather than a genuine feeling,” she explains.
More Products we Love | Project Memory Co: Photo Albums that Tell Your Story
This is why the 180 Good Things Journal proposes a unique prompt each day, helping you expand your perspective on the concept of gratitude journaling by casting your mind not only to your immediate surroundings, but to past people, places, and moments that made you feel safe and content. In responding directly to these prompts, you’re encouraged to reflect more deeply, understanding why you feel grateful. Arguably, there is no better situation in which to contemplate these experiences than when travelling; much like the act of journaling itself, travel presents an opportunity to take stock and get inspired.
It’s palpable that a true belief in the countless benefits of gratitude journaling underpins the ethos at The Soul Goods. “It’s not just as a wellness practice,” she explains, “but a tool for reshaping your mindset and creating your dream life.”
Items in this review were gifted.