Hi Cafe! Happy June! We’re already 6 months into 2026 - that’s INSANE. Where has the year gone? I’ve written a lot of journal prompt essays lately - it’s time they got their own home! Today’s essay will be the FIRST under the new section, Espresso Yourself! For this essay, we’re using 2 prompts:
⭐What quality have you developed that your old journals would not predict? from Andie Rupp
⭐ What lesson keeps appearing in my life? from Love Letters to Literature
Table of Contents
❓ Monthly Theme
We’re switching it up this month and dropping TWO monthly themes! One will be what I WANT for the month, and one will be revealed at the end as the lesson of the month. I think it’s important to distinguish the two - a Want and a Need. I wanted this specific lesson for this month and it’s my goal to incorporate it weekly into something I do. I needed this lesson to grow, and the only way to achieve that growth is from reflection.
Creation
Creation is the Theme I WANT for June. I want to create new things in Pottery! I start a new 6-week course, and during this course I hope to make another cool pottery project. Hand-building has been great for my brain, as it challenges me to think outside the box when making a project. I have a few days before the new section starts and I’ll have to come up with an interesting project!
❓ Unknown Qualities
What quality have you developed that your old journals would not predict?
I was a child when I first started writing in Journals. Those pages were filled with random thoughts, never completed because I never knew what to say.
As I got older, I started to use Journals with more intention. I filled the pages with the words I couldn’t find the strength to say. The pages were filled with anger and sadness.
My journals now are filled with introspection and random thoughts. I’ve given up the perfectionist way - though not completely. I’ve found a way to use my journals to organize the chaos in my mind.
The quality I’ve developed is relaxing. Sounds like a strange one, I know. As a former perfectionist, I could not attempt something if I didn’t know how it would end. If there was going to be a messy middle, there would be no start. This new version of me is ready to accept the messy middle. I’m more relaxed when it comes to mistakes because mistakes are part of learning.
I’m not rigid anymore. I can take the punches and keep going. I am no longer afraid of being seen trying. I’ve learned that trying isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength not many have. You have to try in order to succeed. You have to do the scary things in order to grow.
My journals are no longer filled with anger and sadness; they’re filled with curiosity. They’re filled with excitement; failures aren’t talked about with sadness, just attempts at fixing the mistake. My journals have seen a new side to me - one that isn’t afraid anymore.
❓ Lessons Repeating
What lesson keeps appearing in my life?
The lessons I’ve seen repeated in my life again and again are:
💫 Growth.
Growing up. Learn new lessons. Learn that the world isn’t the same. You have to adapt. You have to grow. Plants need nutrients, sunlight, and water to grow - be like the plants. Fill yourself with the nutrients, get plenty of sunlight, and make sure you drink your water! You want to grow and become the tallest tree or prettiest flower!
💫 Release.
Release what doesn’t work. Release the shame. Release the negative feelings. Stop holding onto the pain. Release everything that’s not meant for you. You don’t have to hurt anymore. You don’t need to hold on to the pain anymore. You can let go of the expectations of you.
💫 Reinvention.
It’s okay to try something new. Life doesn’t follow a playbook - if something doesn’t work out, you can try again. Reinvent yourself for your new chapter. Change what you want. Adapt to new circumstances. Reinvention plays into the growth of who you are.
💫 Trust.
Trust yourself. You’ve gotten through worse. You’ve made it out time and time again. You can trust yourself; you know what you’re doing. You CAN do it and you know HOW to do it. Just trust yourself that you’ll reach the end, and you’ll get there.
💫 Playing.
Play more. Seriously. You need to play. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Have hobbies! Draw! Run around! Play video games! Go hang out with friends! Just DO something! You won’t experience life just sitting around your room, so just get out there and play!
Thanks for reading today’s Espresso Yourself! I’m really liking the double prompt essays - there’s a lot to write about each topic. It’s helpful to get into my brain and just write about a topic I don’t have to think about for too long. These are short mini essays that are easy to write and the topics work well together. Answer the following questions in the comments below!
⭐ What quality have you developed that your old journals would not predict?
⭐ What lesson keeps appearing in my life?
☕ What’s Next for the Cafe?
See you on Tuesday for Not Your Average Joe!
