That was what adults kept telling me when I was a preteen girl wondering who I was, where I fit in, and what my whole purpose in life was supposed to be. Good advice—only problem was, I didn’t know what it meant to “be yourself!”
Maybe you struggled with the same issues and questions at that age. I know I see a lot of preteen and teen girls who do, and that’s what inspired me to develop a special journal just for them: Be Yourself: A Journal for Catholic Girls.
If you’ve followed my blog, Prayer Wine Chocolate, you know that I am a huge fan of journaling as a means of self-expression and discovery. Like many journals for girls, Be Yourself! offers lots of ways for readers to explore questions about their identity, worthiness, belonging, and purpose. But Be Yourself! also accompanies girls, connecting them with the wisdom of the Catholic Church—and some of its most wise and holy women. Women like St. Catherine of Siena, who said: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire!”
Be Yourself! includes more than 80 pages of fun activities, quizzes, personal “letters” from women saints, and journaling opportunities that girls will love. Quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church and Scripture provide girls with wisdom from their faith tradition—wisdom that they can use as they explore what it means to “be yourself” in the light of God’s will for them.
The Be Yourself! journal guides the reader to three essential truths:
This journal won’t provide girls with any “final answer” to their questions, but my hope is that it will guide them to seek those answers in the light of God’s love, guided by the Church.
Speaking of beautifully made . . . in order to make this journal as appealing as possible to girls, we’re hiring a professional book designer: Laurie Nelson, of Agape Design Studios. Laurie’s design work has been delighting kids for more than twenty years. Laurie is working with veteran Catholic artist Vicki Shuck, who will be providing us with portraits of key women saints, as well as gorgeous coloring pages of those saints.
Together, we’re going to make Be Yourself! a journal that girls will love to read, share, and make their own. You can see some of the preliminary page designs at the bottom of this post.
In order to get Be Yourself! into the hands of Catholic girls, we need to cover the costs of design and production work. You can help us raise the money we need to move forward by making a donation in exchange for one or more copies of Be Yourself!, or any of the other great thank-you gifts we’re offering as part of this crowdfunding campaign.
If you can’t give as much as you’d like, don’t worry—whatever you give is a vote of confidence in this project!
I want to personally thank you in advance for supporting my passion to help girls discover their beautiful identity in the Lord. My prayer is that your gift to this project connects your heart in a special way to the girl who is struggling to fit in, the girl who questions her self-worth—but who is about to discover joy and confidence in God’s love for her.
Hey, if you’re curious about what all is in the book, here’s a table of contents, followed by some preliminary page and cover designs. We’re still working on the journal (especially the cover), so the final product may differ somewhat from what you see here.
How to Use this Book
Chapter 1: Who You REALLY Are
Beauty Basics
God’s Creation
God’s Creation and You (Part 1)
Coloring Page: The Lord’s Creation
God’s Creation and You: (Part 2) – Would You Rather . . .
Saint Spotlight: Catherine of Siena
Coloring Page: Give it ALL to the Lord
Coloring Page: Saint Catherine of Siena
Chapter 2: How To Be You
Peace
Truth or Dare
Saint Spotlight: Katharine Drexel
Think and Reflect
Peace List
Coloring Page: Lord Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace
Letter to Jesus
While You Were Out Memo
Loving Your Family
Coloring Page: Peace Begins with a Smile
Smile Challenge
Feeling at Peace
Chapter 3: Being You By Loving God and Others
Coloring Page: Love is Patient, love is kind.
Love List
Think, Reflect, Write
It’s a Love Thing
Jesus – The Good Shepherd
Photo collage – “Never worry about numbers . . .”
Think, Reflect and Write
Saint Spotlight: Therese’ of the Child Jesus
Coloring Page: Flower Garden
Novena Rose Prayer
To Do List: Love
Chapter 4: Prayer
Present Prayer
Coloring Page: Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry
Hope List
Worries
Your Prayer Style
Design Your Own Prayer Room Part 1
Design Your Own Prayer Room Part 2
Praying with Nature
Write a Letter to Jesus
Prayers of Gratitude
Coloring Page: Thank You God
Time-Out: Favorites
Saint Spotlight: Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Chapter 5: Talents and Gifts
Finding Your Gifts and Talents
Saints and Their Hobbies: Write Your Own Novena
Saint Spotlight: Elizabeth of Hungary
Coloring Page: Never Give Up
Coloring Page: She is Clothed with Strength . . .
Chapter 6: Feelings
Hurt Feelings
Forgiveness
Saint Spotlight: Maria Goretti
Questions? Thoughts?
Paper Recess: Favorites
Thinking About the Future
Praying About the Future
Chapter 7: Your Life
God Loves You!
Love God Back!
Coloring Page: Love the Lord Your God . . .
Scavenger Hunt
Coloring Page: Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
A Word From Your Blessed Mother
Coloring Page: Immaculate Heart of Mary
Coloring Page: The Blessed Mother
Chapter 8: Inspiration
Coloring Page: Walk by Faith, Not By Sight
Coloring Page: Proverbs 31:26
Coloring Page: Galatians 5:22
Coloring Page: Dear Lord, Help me with my studies
Coloring Page: Everything is Possible With Faith
Dear Jesus . . .
The Beginning . . .
Here are a few designs we’ve been playing with…still working on it! First, a cover possibility:
And here are some of the preliminary interior page designs: