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Mindful journaling for kids with the HappySelf Journal {giveaway}

keeping a mindfulness journal

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Mindful journaling for kids with the HappySelf Journal

My 8 year old has always enjoyed keeping a diary and has been using the HappySelf Journal for the last few weeks. It is based on scientifically proven methods that promote happiness, develop healthy habits for life and nurture enquiring minds. Beautifully illustrated and easy to use, with just a few minutes focus each day, children benefit by being encouraged to express gratitude, reflect on their emotions and think about their actions.

Each page is really well laid out. Give my daughter a blank notebook and she’ll never start it but that’s not a problem with this journal. You can see how each page is laid out with space for you to add the date you fill out the page, a quotation, place to record the top three things you are grateful for that day, an emoji to circle and a checklist to add anything important from your day.

Happyjournal

The journal cover is cheerful and bright yellow which immediately makes you think sunny thoughts, and my daughter looks forward to filling in her journal every day. It’s a great introduction to gratitude practice, mindfulness and self-awareness. My daughter was learning about these things at school so she was really open to the idea of recording her thoughts in this way.

I think the journal is also great for encouraging a growth mindset. This concept has been around for a while but is something my children have struggled with. I find my daughter often wants to share what she has written about which is a great way of opening up some great conversations at home.

The HappySelf Journal is available to purchase priced at £19.90 (click here to buy) and currently available in English, as well as Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish! If your children are older than the recommended age range of 6-12 then you will be pleased to hear that a journal for teens is due to be published soon.

You can also get the whole family involved in some mindful journaling with the 7 Day Family Gratitude Challenge which you can download from the HappySelf website. This is a great way to get together, perhaps at meal times, and focus on the positives during these difficult days.

Win a HappySelf Journal

I’ve teamed up with HappySelf Journal and a reader of the gingerbread house can win a copy of the journal for themselves.

To enter my giveaway you must answer the question via the Rafflecopter widget below, there are some bonus entries too. The giveaway is open to those with a UK postal address only and ends on 4th May. The winners name will appear on this post.

Don’t forget to check out my other giveaways on my competition page.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

94 Comments

  • Reply
    Ashleigh Allan
    April 20, 2020 at 8:35 am

    I do and enjoy it

  • Reply
    Susie Wilkinson
    April 20, 2020 at 11:11 am

    I did as a child, but haven’t done for many years

    • Reply
      Charlotte Wildman
      May 3, 2020 at 9:12 am

      Have just started.

  • Reply
    Annabel Greaves
    April 20, 2020 at 4:05 pm

    I used to have a scrapbook as a child but not a journal

  • Reply
    Kim M
    April 20, 2020 at 5:23 pm

    Sometimes have a go but don’t keep at it x

  • Reply
    donna skelton
    April 20, 2020 at 8:48 pm

    never have but think it might be good to do and look back on in the future

  • Reply
    Solange
    April 21, 2020 at 12:13 am

    I have tried it before.

  • Reply
    Alice Dixon
    April 21, 2020 at 11:01 am

    I haven’t but I’d like to, I think it would be interesting to read back on

  • Reply
    Susan B
    April 21, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    Always fascinated to read nouns becoming verbs …
    I used to keep a diary when I was a child and found it quite therapeutic. .

  • Reply
    Michelle McCall
    April 21, 2020 at 2:53 pm

    Ive kept a diary since I was a teenager, I love looking back at them yrs later.

  • Reply
    Rachael McCadden
    April 21, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    i did when i was a kid but would love to start again

  • Reply
    lesley renshaw
    April 21, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    I suffer from anxiety so writing a journal is a must. Getting everything our on paper is therapy. Having a book that focuses on positive things which I’m able to refer back to would be amazing.

  • Reply
    Sadiyya Maryam
    April 21, 2020 at 4:11 pm

    I used to a lot as a teenager and it really did help put feelings down on paper. A happy self journal for children is amazing.

  • Reply
    laura stewart
    April 21, 2020 at 4:27 pm

    no never had one or thought of doing one xx

    • Reply
      Kirsten Barthy
      April 25, 2020 at 9:42 pm

      I did as a tween/young teenager and when travelling in my gap year. I would like to win this for my daughter who struggles with her emotions.

  • Reply
    Rachel Butterworth
    April 21, 2020 at 6:06 pm

    I tried as a kid but always felt pressure to think of something to write everyday.

  • Reply
    Jodie Green
    April 21, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    I used to many years ago, but I would love for my daughter to have a go now

  • Reply
    Tracy Newton
    April 21, 2020 at 7:16 pm

    I have never kept a journal. I would love to record my day to day life and moods

  • Reply
    Maria P
    April 21, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    Yes, long time ago, but loved it, just I don’t have time now 🙂

  • Reply
    Margaret Gallagher
    April 21, 2020 at 7:48 pm

    I love journals – would pass onto my neice ! Incentive to do the same

  • Reply
    fiona waterworth
    April 21, 2020 at 8:33 pm

    Never tried it, but wish I had started when the lockdown started, it would be great to read later and see what we did when

  • Reply
    Joyce W
    April 21, 2020 at 10:04 pm

    My grand daughter uses a journal and would love this

  • Reply
    lynn neal
    April 21, 2020 at 10:44 pm

    I have and enjoyed it because it gave me a time to think!

  • Reply
    Julia Kerr
    April 22, 2020 at 12:14 am

    I started the year with a diary in which I’ve put down at least one positive for the day, no negatives allowed. Doesn’t matter how small the positive is as long as there is one

  • Reply
    Rachel Craig
    April 22, 2020 at 4:00 am

    Yes. Worthwhile activity.

  • Reply
    Jo m welsh
    April 22, 2020 at 7:26 am

    I have a diary but it’s more for what we have done that day than for thoughts and detailed experiences

  • Reply
    Caroline Signey
    April 22, 2020 at 10:17 am

    I have done it on and off I find it therapeutic

  • Reply
    Helen Marshall
    April 22, 2020 at 10:20 am

    Friends have and recommend it, and this would be a nice way to get my daughter into it

  • Reply
    Jade Hewlett
    April 22, 2020 at 11:05 am

    I used to every now and then but I’m not great at keeping up with it frequently

  • Reply
    Emilia Nastaly-Howard
    April 22, 2020 at 11:30 am

    I used to when I was younger

  • Reply
    Ruth Harwood
    April 22, 2020 at 11:36 am

    I did write a journal a few years ago when I was feeling low and confused, it really helped, and I filled five notebooks in a couple days, sorting through my thoughts, feelings and reviewing my life. it helped so much, but I have issues that prevent me from achieving much, though did get a 2:1 Open Uni degree (with honours) in history, finished a year ago, and gave me the confidence I lacked in my 20s and early 30s, but I can’t afford an MA, and so disapppointed, know I could do it!

  • Reply
    Kristie Metcalfe
    April 22, 2020 at 4:47 pm

    I havent yet tried it, but I have heard about how relaxing it can be. I would use it to de-stress and get my mind in order!

  • Reply
    Chris Andrews
    April 22, 2020 at 7:05 pm

    Tell me if you’ve ever tried journalling or, if not, why you would like to try it.
    l used to keep a diary in my teens and l have yst taken it upagain

  • Reply
    Nuala
    April 22, 2020 at 10:11 pm

    I have tried writing in a diary before but then I kept forgetting to write in it so I stopped

  • Reply
    Kim Carberry
    April 23, 2020 at 1:05 pm

    I did when I was a teen but haven’t recently. x

  • Reply
    Karen Usher
    April 23, 2020 at 10:14 pm

    Yep, I love journalling, its great to look back on!

  • Reply
    Natalie Burgess
    April 24, 2020 at 8:25 am

    I havent tried journelling but would be lovely to keep precious thoughts and memories xx

  • Reply
    Sean Eccles
    April 24, 2020 at 7:53 pm

    Yes it’s a lovely thing to look back on

  • Reply
    claire woods
    April 25, 2020 at 12:27 pm

    I did as a teenager, thought it might be fun to try again.

  • Reply
    Dale Dow
    April 25, 2020 at 4:08 pm

    I’ve not but heard many good things about it x

  • Reply
    Nicola McC
    April 25, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    I haven’t tried it yet, but think it would be good for mental health.

  • Reply
    David
    April 25, 2020 at 8:42 pm

    Hello, no I haven’t tried journaling but I think it would be a good way to relax. Thank you for the chance to win.

  • Reply
    bex Allum
    April 25, 2020 at 8:58 pm

    I haven’t journalled before but I keeping a diary now we are in lockdown.

  • Reply
    Sarah Fielding
    April 25, 2020 at 9:23 pm

    I have tried it, I love it! It really helps!

  • Reply
    Angela Sharp
    April 26, 2020 at 8:10 am

    I used to keep a journal, it definitely helped letting me express myself

  • Reply
    Clara
    April 26, 2020 at 12:10 pm

    I do it every now and then

  • Reply
    Jo F
    April 26, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    I used to do it as a child but haven’t done it for many years

  • Reply
    Angela Treadway
    April 26, 2020 at 8:20 pm

    no i dont now but used to as a kid x

  • Reply
    Mandy Doherty
    April 26, 2020 at 8:45 pm

    I tried journalling when I was in my early teens and would love to start doing it again

  • Reply
    PhilO
    April 26, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    Yes, and I left it behind a plastered wall in my previous house for someone to find someday

  • Reply
    Debbie Burfoot
    April 27, 2020 at 12:57 pm

    i have and really helped putting thoughts and feelings down on paper

  • Reply
    Victoria Jardine
    April 28, 2020 at 9:42 am

    I’ve tried journalling, I start my day with a cup of tea and my journal – it’s my quiet time before the rest of the household wakes up. It really helps me prepare for the day, I love it and would love my daughter to get the benefits too.

  • Reply
    laura pyper
    April 28, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    I used to have a scrapbook, but not a journal

  • Reply
    Samantha M
    April 28, 2020 at 7:35 pm

    I’ve kept a diary but not done proper journalling, but it is something I’d enjoy. Especially adding photos/magazine scraps.

  • Reply
    Ross Leech
    April 28, 2020 at 11:56 pm

    I did as a child and am now trying to get back into the habit to help with my life management.

  • Reply
    Rebecca Beesley
    April 29, 2020 at 10:56 pm

    i enjoy journalling myself and this looks like a good one for kids especially at the moment.

  • Reply
    Karen Barrett
    April 30, 2020 at 7:47 am

    No, I haven’t but maybe now is the time to start! 🙂

  • Reply
    Joanne Greer
    April 30, 2020 at 10:01 am

    I enjoy writing in a journal, helps me!

  • Reply
    Laura Whittle
    April 30, 2020 at 1:25 pm

    Never tried it but would love to. I have a terrible long term memory so would be lovely to have something to look back on and remind me of good times.

  • Reply
    Kerry Horsburgh
    May 1, 2020 at 12:22 am

    I did as a child and would like to try it again to look back on. I think it would be helpful.

  • Reply
    Thomas Perry
    May 1, 2020 at 9:35 am

    I used to keep a journal as a teen but my brother read my journal and told all my family my business

  • Reply
    Angela Kelly
    May 1, 2020 at 1:45 pm

    I used to keep a diary as a teenager, but I didn’t have much to say!

  • Reply
    Kallie Maile
    May 1, 2020 at 2:56 pm

    I did as a teen but not as an adult, I think I would like to try again!

  • Reply
    Lorraine
    May 1, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    I have tried several times. I always benefit when I manage to keep it up

  • Reply
    michelle o'neill
    May 1, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    I did when i was a teenager

  • Reply
    Laura Pritchard
    May 1, 2020 at 6:24 pm

    Not since I was a teenager, but I think it would make me calmer.

  • Reply
    Heli L
    May 1, 2020 at 7:54 pm

    I used to write a diary/journal on and off as a teenager. Now I’d love to get my daughter into keeping a journal.

  • Reply
    Margaret
    May 1, 2020 at 9:11 pm

    I have a journal but I’m not very disciplined with filling it in. This is a fab idea for kids tho – especially like my son who struggle with ‘big’ emotions

  • Reply
    Patricia Barrett
    May 1, 2020 at 10:01 pm

    No I haven’t tried it before, but with so much spare time currently I’d like to try it.

  • Reply
    Antonia Sergent
    May 2, 2020 at 12:16 am

    I haven’t journaled before although I imagine it is quite theraputic

  • Reply
    Adrian Bold
    May 2, 2020 at 1:22 am

    Yes, I’ve been journaling on and off for many years.

  • Reply
    Sandra Foreman
    May 2, 2020 at 10:04 am

    I kept a diary as a child but family were very nosy so couldn’t put too much in it not done since

  • Reply
    Erica Hughes
    May 2, 2020 at 11:19 am

    I’ve kept a diary and had planners, but not really a journal (I’m like to try though).

  • Reply
    Emma England
    May 2, 2020 at 11:44 am

    I always did when I was younger, it would be great for my son to start.

  • Reply
    holly harmsworth
    May 2, 2020 at 5:01 pm

    I love bullet journaling but haven’t been so motivated to do so since we have been in isolation

  • Reply
    Karen Dixon
    May 2, 2020 at 5:49 pm

    I have started multiple journals over the years, never kept one going for very long

  • Reply
    Karen R
    May 2, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    I’ve never done it consistently, but it is something that I’d enjoy xx

  • Reply
    Laura Green
    May 2, 2020 at 7:09 pm

    I used to have one at school but havent for years. I find ir hard to work thorugh my emotions and writing them down would defo help!

  • Reply
    Sallyanne Rose
    May 2, 2020 at 8:28 pm

    no, but i would like to

  • Reply
    Natalie Russell
    May 2, 2020 at 9:41 pm

    I’d love this for my daughter Sophie – she’s 7 and I think it’s the perfect age to think about how she is feeling and trying to understand why. This is a great idea!

  • Reply
    Tracy Barber
    May 2, 2020 at 10:23 pm

    Yes and I find it very therapeutic

  • Reply
    Paul Meulen
    May 3, 2020 at 10:40 am

    Yes when I was traveling, I love reading them back

  • Reply
    Jo Nichol
    May 3, 2020 at 11:55 am

    Never tried as not really had the time but I guess now is the best time to try!

  • Reply
    Lucy robinson
    May 3, 2020 at 2:44 pm

    I have a mum and daughter journal.

  • Reply
    donna jones
    May 3, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    never have but think it might be good to do now to look back on

  • Reply
    Helen Tyler
    May 3, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    I used to write journals all the time. I’ve still got some of them, including my very first one written when I was 11. It was about the time the secret diary of Adrian Mole was on TV, which was my inspiration! I’d love to get back to it.

  • Reply
    Lauren Porter
    May 3, 2020 at 7:40 pm

    I haven’t since I was young – it is something I would love to start again to document everything!

  • Reply
    Victoria Bazley
    May 3, 2020 at 8:35 pm

    I used to between the ages of 16-26 on and off. Should really do it again but I think rely on photos to remind me of things now but it’s no substitute for actually writing down feeling.s

  • Reply
    Kirsty
    May 3, 2020 at 9:08 pm

    I have and love to start one

  • Reply
    Catherine Gregory
    May 3, 2020 at 9:25 pm

    I haven’t but I think it would do me good to write my thoughts out since I lost my sister suddenly in June. I could write to her each day letting her know what I’d been up to with her 2 year old nephew

  • Reply
    Paul Bingham
    May 4, 2020 at 11:17 am

    Yes as I have memory issues ,so it helps a lot

  • Reply
    Emma Fox
    May 4, 2020 at 10:43 pm

    When I was a kid I used too

  • Reply
    Monday Happy List {Week 344} - the-gingerbread-house.co.uk
    May 17, 2021 at 9:17 am

    […] celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week I bought myself one of the new adult version of the Happy Journal. My 9 year old loves her Happy Journal so I wanted to try it for […]

  • Reply
    5 tips for Summer self care - the-gingerbread-house.co.uk
    July 28, 2021 at 5:28 pm

    […] It can be really helpful to jot down your thoughts and I love to journal and scrapbook. This is something I’ve done for a while. Journalling is a way of highlighting the good things which have happened, keeping track of habits and help keep thoughts organised. My daughter and I both use the Happy Journal which help develop positive habits. […]

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