What is the true essence of Advent?

50 Advent Journal Prompts

What if the true essence of Advent was about more than just a countdown to Christmas gifts? Join us as we unravel the rich history and traditions of Advent, revealing its origins as a period of fasting and spiritual discipline. We explore how this often-overlooked season can be a powerful "reset button" before the New Year, inviting you to embrace it with intention and mindfulness. 

We'll provide practical advice on how to use this time for personal growth, including powerful journaling prompts from Lestallion's exquisite leather journals. From self-reflection to family dynamics, these prompts can guide you through a journey of deep introspection and spiritual growth. Whether you're religious or not, this episode will help you navigate the full spectrum of emotions Advent can bring, fostering self-compassion and genuine personal transformation.

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/

Transcript

Speaker 1 0:00

Okay, so are we ready to deck the halls and all that?

Speaker 2 0:03

Not quite yet.

Speaker 1 0:04

Okay.

Speaker 2 0:04

But we are diving into Advent.

Speaker 1 0:07

Yes, we are.

Speaker 2 0:08

And I promise you, this is going to be a lot more than just your typical countdown to presents thing. Okay, good, because I was a little worried about that yeah, we're going to go way beyond candy canes and wrapping paper today Wow. We're going to uncover some history. We're going to look at traditions.

Speaker 1 0:22

Okay, some history we're going to look at traditions Okay, and we'll see how those traditions can be valuable. Today You've got a ton of information about this like all the origins and traditions, even some journal prompts, and I'm very curious to unpack it all.

Speaker 2 0:33

Yeah, let's go deep.

Speaker 1 0:35

But like what are we trying to get out of this today?

Speaker 2 0:38

So I think our mission today is to really extract those unexpected nuggets of wisdom about Advent, like go beyond just the surface level and discover practical things that you can actually use.

Speaker 1 0:52

Yes, I am all about practical application.

Speaker 2 0:55

Yeah.

Speaker 1 0:55

So where do we even begin with Advent? Because I have to say my knowledge is a little fuzzy beyond, just like the Advent calendar countdown. I mean that's fair Most.

Speaker 2 1:04

Most people are at that level, right, but the word Advent, it actually comes from the Latin word Adventus.

Speaker 1 1:09

Okay.

Speaker 2 1:10

And it means coming or arrival. So it's really about anticipating and preparing for Christmas. Yeah, but the preparation part is where it gets interesting.

Speaker 1 1:19

Okay, interesting.

Speaker 2 1:21

So historically, Advent was a time of fasting and spiritual discipline, kind of similar to Lent. It was a time for introspection and repentance to prepare for Christ's birth.

Speaker 1 1:32

Wow, okay, so like a completely different vibe than what we think of now, right, it's like Advent had this whole other life before we had chocolate in our calendars. Exactly. Yeah, it's very interesting, but the core idea of using this time for personal growth, that's something we can all use.

Speaker 2 1:46

Totally. It's like hitting the reset button before the new year.

Speaker 1 1:50

I like that.

Speaker 2 1:50

But with more intention.

Speaker 1 1:52

Right, yeah, and speaking of intention, yes. Let's talk about those journal prompts you mentioned.

Speaker 2 1:57

Yes, so I was looking at the ones from Lestallion.

Speaker 1 1:59

Okay.

Speaker 2 2:00

And they make these gorgeous leather journals. But I was really interested in the prompts. They're very specific.

Speaker 1 2:05

Yeah, specificity is so important with journaling.

Speaker 2 2:07

It is.

Speaker 1 2:08

It helps you go beyond those like really generic surface level answers.

Speaker 2 2:12

Totally. It's like the difference between saying I'm grateful for my family and naming a specific quality you admire in each person.

Speaker 1 2:20

Exactly, and Lestallion seems to get that.

Speaker 2 2:22

Yeah, they have prompts for everything. They do self-reflection, gratitude, spiritual growth, even family dynamics. I love that they have such a good range of categories, because then you can personalize the experience. You really can, based on what you need.

Speaker 1 2:37

Yeah, Although I have to admit some of those prompts are kind of intense. Like what Like one of them is reflect on a time you felt distant from your faith. Like whoa. That got real really fast, even for someone who isn't particularly religious.

Speaker 2 2:52

Yeah, that one definitely makes you think about some challenging emotions and experiences. It does, for sure.

Speaker 1 2:58

So how do you recommend approaching these tougher prompts, because I feel like those could bring up some unexpected feelings.

Speaker 2 3:07

Yeah, you have to kind of lean into it, okay. I mean, that's where the real growth happens.

Speaker 1 3:09

If Advent acknowledges that life isn't always happy and cheerful, right you know, it's a time to embrace it all it's like that, saying the wound is the place where the light enters you. Yeah, but sometimes you got to face the wound you do, and that's where self-compassion comes in. Ok, less self-criticism, more self-compassion. I like it.

Speaker 2 3:28

Yeah.

Speaker 1 3:28

But how do we actually apply that to journaling?

Speaker 2 3:32

Hmm.

Speaker 1 3:33

Especially when it brings up all these difficult emotions.

Speaker 2 3:36

Well, you have to approach those emotions with kindness and understanding.

Speaker 1 3:39

OK.

Speaker 2 3:40

Recognizing that we're all a work in progress. Right, like you don't need to have all the answers. Ok, and it's OK to recognizing that we're all a work in progress. Right, like you don't need to have all the answers Okay, and it's okay to just feel your feelings.

Speaker 1 3:47

It's like giving yourself the grace you would give a friend.

Speaker 2 3:49

Exactly. That's a great way to put it.

Speaker 1 3:51

These listallion prompts are really making me think about Advent differently. It's like a built-in opportunity for self-discovery.

Speaker 2 3:58

It is.

Speaker 1 3:59

But we're all so busy.

Speaker 2 4:00

We are.

Speaker 1 4:01

How do we actually find the time for this?

Speaker 2 4:03

Right.

Speaker 1 4:04

With all the holiday chaos.

Speaker 2 4:05

It's tough, right, it really is. Finding time for anything during the holidays is like.

Speaker 1 4:10

The hardest. Yeah, even five minutes feels like a lot these days.

Speaker 2 4:14

I feel that, but that's the thing. It doesn't have to be this huge commitment. Okay, I like the sound of that you know if you spend five minutes scrolling on your phone. Oh yeah, Every day.

Speaker 1 4:24

What if you journaled instead? Okay, yeah, I see where you're going with this.

Speaker 2 4:26

You know, just reframe those little bits of time. Maybe it's five minutes in the morning before everyone's awake, or 10 minutes at lunch.

Speaker 1 4:33

Or even just keeping a notebook by the bed.

Speaker 2 4:35

Exactly.

Speaker 1 4:36

Love that.

Speaker 2 4:37

And it doesn't have to be fancy Like those Lestallion ones are gorgeous.

Speaker 1 4:40

They are stunning, but I have a regular notebook that works just fine.

Speaker 2 4:44

Right, it's the act of reflection that matters.

Speaker 1 4:47

Yes.

Speaker 2 4:47

Not the tool you use.

Speaker 1 4:49

Exactly and honestly. You could even record voice memos if you wanted to.

Speaker 2 4:54

Oh, for sure.

Speaker 1 4:54

That feels more natural to me sometimes.

Speaker 2 4:56

Whatever works for you Right, just stick to me sometimes, whatever works for you right, just stick with it.

Speaker 1 5:00

I also like the idea of putting those prompts into my existing routines oh, tell me more about that like maybe lighting a candle and doing a gratitude prompt before dinner. I love that, or like a reflection prompt with my family after a meal yeah something like that that's brilliant. Weaving it into your day right without adding anything extra exactly, and you know what this makes me think about is the connection part. Oh yeah, we haven't really talked about that.

Speaker 2 5:27

It's not just about you.

Speaker 1 5:28

Right, we've been so focused on the individual side.

Speaker 2 5:30

Exactly, advent is also about connecting with others.

Speaker 1 5:33

Right.

Speaker 2 5:33

Whether it's conversations or acts of kindness or just being more present.

Speaker 1 5:38

So it's like how, in the past, advent was observed as a community.

Speaker 2 5:42

Exactly, there were shared rituals and practices. Huh Interesting and yeah, the customs might be different now.

Speaker 1 5:47

Yeah.

Speaker 2 5:47

But we can still have that togetherness.

Speaker 1 5:49

This makes me think about those tougher prompts again.

Speaker 2 5:52

Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 5:53

Like maybe having support would be really helpful for that.

Speaker 2 5:56

Oh, absolutely yeah, Because remember when we talked about self-compassion.

Speaker 1 5:59

Yeah.

Speaker 2 6:00

Sometimes that means getting support.

Speaker 1 6:03

Right, like we don't have to go through things alone.

Speaker 2 6:11

Exactly, but how does that work with Advent and journaling, hmm? You could share a challenging prompt with a friend, okay, or family member Right and talk about it with them.

Speaker 1 6:17

Have a conversation about it.

Speaker 2 6:18

Yeah, or even talk to a therapist if you need to.

Speaker 1 6:21

That's a good point.

Speaker 2 6:21

Yeah, it's like having a thought partner.

Speaker 1 6:23

It is.

Speaker 2 6:24

To help you understand.

Speaker 1 6:25

Sometimes it helps to just say it out loud.

Speaker 2 6:27

It really does.

Speaker 1 6:28

It really is Like isn't it a problem shared and all that.

Speaker 2 6:31

Yeah, but it's more than that Okay. It's not about this perfect holiday experience. It's about being human, with all the messiness.

Speaker 1 6:46

Right.

Speaker 2 6:47

And finding connection in the middle of it all.

Speaker 1 6:49

It's about that light in the darkness everyone always talks about.

Speaker 2 6:52

It is, and that idea isn't just an Advent.

Speaker 1 6:55

What do you mean?

Speaker 2 6:56

Lots of cultures have festivals of light when it's dark outside.

Speaker 1 6:59

Oh, you're right, Like Diwali.

Speaker 2 7:01

Exactly Hanukkah, even the solstice thing. It's all about finding hope when the days are short.

Speaker 1 7:07

It's a good reminder that, even when it's dark, there's always light somewhere.

Speaker 2 7:12

And searching for that light helps us find our own light.

Speaker 1 7:15

That's a nice thought, yeah. So as we wrap up this Advent, deep dive. Yeah. What's the one thing you hope listeners will remember?

Speaker 2 7:22

I hope this has inspired people to think about Advent differently.

Speaker 1 7:26

Okay.

Speaker 2 7:27

It doesn't matter if you follow the religious traditions or make your own.

Speaker 1 7:30

Right.

Speaker 2 7:30

Or even just use this time for reflection.

Speaker 1 7:33

It's about what feels right for you.

Speaker 2 7:35

Exactly, find what resonates with you and be present.

Speaker 1 7:38

Beautifully said.

Speaker 2 7:39

Thank you.

Speaker 1 7:40

It's really about finding those gifts that really matter.

Speaker 2 7:43

Yes.

Speaker 1 7:43

Self-awareness and connection and really understanding ourselves.

Speaker 2 7:46

It's powerful stuff.

Speaker 1 7:48

And those are the gifts that last. Well, thank you so much for joining me on this Advent deep dive.

Speaker 2 7:53

It was my pleasure.

Speaker 1 7:54

We hope you're feeling inspired to embrace the season.

Speaker 2 7:57

Yes.

Speaker 1 7:57

Until next time, take care.