Interview with Soli Goodes – author of The Guide for Journal Writing

Please share some about you…where are you from, where you grew up, your family. etc.
My full name is Solonge Goodes, but everyone calls me Soli. I have
two younger sisters and an older step brother & sister. I’ve grown up in semi rural
parts of South Australia and consider myself a country girl at heart. I met my
husband in high school and we had our son when I was 18 so I’ve pretty well been a
Mum my entire adult life. My son was the spark of inspiration I needed to start
passionately following my heart and actively working to discover my purpose and how
to live my dream life.

You advocate the importance of journaling…what has journaling brought
to you in your life?

Is essence journaling has helped to expand my awareness. As I’ve explored what’s true for me and deepened my understanding of my authentic self my writing has given me access to powerful insights and information. With this expanding knowledge of my inner self I’ve been able to make better quality, more supportive decisions for myself, which flow through into aligned and inspired actions, which ultimately result in me living a life that feels like a perfect fit for me. In short journaling has helped me first get to know and ultimately live my life from my authentic essence.

As a writer, what tips do you have for other writers just getting started?
The best tip I have is ‘just start’. Get yourself a note book and a pen and simply
put pen to paper. There is no right or wrong way to journal. The best tip for
transformational journal writing I have is to write for yourself. Forget about being
smart, witty or proper. Forgetting about writing to impress or entertain anyone
else. Writing in your journal is about writing for yourself. It’s about letting all
pretence fall away and finally being able to get down to the raw truth of who you
are and how your feel on any subject.

Can you share some tips to those who are thinking about journaling but
not sure how to get started? I generally start an entry with the date. And I
personally address my entries Dear God. It feels good to me to speak direct with
Source. If people feel uncomfortable with God they could start with Dear Diary if
they wished or anything in between. Again there is no right way, it’s about people
finding what feels fun and easy for them. A super easy place to start that will
yield great returns in expanding awareness is to start with I’m
feeling……….then relaxing and feeling into the body, people can begin to write
whatever is true in their current experience. Again there is no right way to write
or right way to feel. It’s important people simply write how they really feel now
without any judgement of the feeling itself. This will start the words flowing.

What other things do you have in the works for the rest of 2012? Through my more than 13 years of Journal writing I’ve become clear that my core purpose is to live my dream life and to help other people to live theirs. Over the years I’ve
discovered a whole range of passions which I use to both live my own best life and
help others do the same. The umbrella title I’ve given myself is Spiritual
Entrepreneur, it allows me endless possibility which I love!
This year I am working on a few exciting projects. I’ve recently launched a new wellness magazine that is specially created for my local area, Living Wellness. I’m working to expand this publication to reach even more of my community. I have also recently completed training to become an Energy or Intuitive Life Coach and I offer this service to people each Friday. Of course I continue to promote the benefits of my first love, Journal Writing through my web site and particularly through my journal gift sets which include my special guide book to inspire people to get the most from their journal.

I’m really excited about the changing times in which we live. I love that every day
more and more people are waking up and refusing to be part of the rat race for a
moment longer. I love greeting these people and helping them tap into their own
authentic self so they too can discover their purpose and their passions and start
living their dream lives.

So I have a lot of things going on, which is how I like it. Also though I am very aware that all the best things in the world come out of people really loving and caring for themselves and each other. I’m a big proponent of leading by example so I am careful to take great care of myself. Making sure to balance all my inspired action with lots of rest and rejuvenation because that’s how life feels best to me. And on the note I’m off to enjoy a soak in the tub.

How can others get in contact with you and read more about what you do?
People can find me on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Journal-Junky/312855846151?ref=ts

They can read my journaling blogs at www.journaljunky.com.auand or order their own
copy of my guide book either in E version or in print.

Currently people can also enjoy a FREE 1/2 sample session of the energy coaching
service I offer by visiting my calendar
(http://www.supersaas.com/schedule/EnergyCoach/Energy_Coaching) and booking
them self a slot.