Welcome to Day 2 of the Wellbeing 9-a-Day blog! How did you find your first day with the journal? Generally, learning something new is not an easy task, but we hope you are enjoying these steps towards transformed health and wellbeing. In today’s blog, I would like to share the story of how The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal came to be.
The Wellbeing Book Club
It would be impossible for me to tell the story of The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal without telling the story of Live Well with Cancer’s Wellbeing Book Club. Created during the pandemic to connect people who are affected by cancer, the book club was one of the charity’s first workshop sessions. Though I haven’t researched or confirmed this, I believe that it is also the only book club to be run by a pair of Pointless champions, as I had the pleasure of co-hosting with my good friend and co-author of the journal, Jonny.
The Wellbeing Book Club ran for 20 sessions over 20 months, covering a wide range of wisdom, both ancient and modern. With authors as diverse as Eckhart Tolle, Glennon Doyle, and Matthew McConaughey, our group discussed some incredible books (and some not-so-incredible books). It was our privilege to host these sessions for Live Well with Cancer and connect with dozens of people as we moved through the pandemic and into the light of normal life.
Wellbeing Book Club Top 3
Wanting a few quick recommendations? Here are the top 3 books as voted for by members of the Wellbeing Book Club.
1. Tao te Ching by Laozi (Ancient Chinese wisdom and the origin of yin yang)
2. Ikigai by Franesc Miralles and Hector Garcia (A focus on living a good life, the Japanese way)
3. We by Robert Johnson (The psychology of romantic love and ‘real’ love, from a Jungian viewpoint)
A Practical Tool for Improving Wellbeing
As much as I learned from these great books, I found that none of them offered exactly what I was looking for in a wellbeing book. I wanted good information, which I got, but I also wanted a practical tool that I could use to improve all aspects of my life, and so I set to work with a pencil, ruler, and notebook, designing something that I could use every day.
After a lot of work and help from others, the result is The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal, a tool that can empower anyone to build daily habits that form the basis of a healthy lifestyle.
During my journey, I have stopped smoking, learned how to drive, moved in with my girlfriend, started a limited company, and appeared as an extra on Vera, and that is just scratching the surface.
Each of you have your own journey to travel, with your own wants and needs. Whether you are looking to reduce your suffering in life, or you want to increase your awesomeness and opportunities, our journal offers you a framework that you can tailor to your own needs. This blog will be here to support you each step of the way as you make your way through The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal.
Call to Action
Look back at your first day with The Wellbeing 9-a-Day Journal. Which areas of the W9AD come most naturally to you? Were there any that you had difficulty with? By reflecting on yesterday, you can tweak your goals for today, and ensure that you keep hitting your goals tomorrow. Slowly and surely, you will build habits that transform your wellbeing and help you lead a better life.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
This blog was written as part of a 90-day blog writing fundraiser for Live Well with Cancer, a volunteer-led charity serving North Tyneside and the surrounding areas. If you enjoyed this blog, please show your appreciation by donating to my JustGiving page. Every penny raised from donations or sales of the journal will help deliver workshops, events and support groups that empower better health and wellbeing for those affected by cancer, including family, friends, carers, and healthcare workers.
Comments