No Juan Is An Island

Ticked off another “first” from my personal “to try” list: I finally joined a journaling meet-up.
This wasn’t a structured workshop, but rather a community gathering organized by Journal Social Baguio—a group of three incredible lady crafters who have pioneered journaling workshops and meet-ups right here in the city.

In a world where almost everyone is constantly cooped up with their digital gadgets and tethered to social media platforms, you sometimes have to wonder how people truly rest and reset anymore. I’ll be the first to admit that I am easily pulled in by my phone almost all day long. Lately, I’ve been trying to intentionally seek out and participate in analog activities to break that digital loop.

Journaling is something I actually do from time to time, but it’s a practice I’ve been wanting to dive into more routinely and mindfully. So, I took the plunge and decided to join this community meet-up.
Unlike a formal workshop where you follow a strict step-by-step lesson, this meet-up had a beautifully simple premise: just bring your own journal. I showed up with nothing but my notebook and a single pen. I didn’t need to worry about the rest, because the organizing team incredibly provided an entire spread of creative supplies. From stickers, specialized pens, and scissors to complete journaling kits and so much more, the table was a playground of tactile materials.

I shared a table with individuals who were obviously incredibly passionate about the craft. I found myself completely amazed by how creative their journals were; some participants were even drawing or painting gorgeous illustrations directly onto their pages.

While we worked, I got the chance to mingle with fellow journals and listen to their reasons for keeping a notebook. The answers were as varied as the pages themselves—for some, it serves as an indispensable outlet for creativity, a safe space for thoughts and complex emotions. For others, it’s a daily ritual practiced simply for memory’s sake, capturing moments before they fade.
What struck me most is that journaling is a universally grounding activity. Our table alone was a beautiful melting pot of different backgrounds: one was a medical doctor, another an engineer, and a few were university students. I absolutely love a diverse group like this because the varied perspectives make for an even more awesome learning and human experience.

The Takeaway: When you strip away the screens and share a table with strangers over paper and ink, the background noise fades. You realize everyone is just looking for a meaningful way to slow down.
A massive thank you to Rae, Carol, and Stephie of Journal Social Baguio for cultivating this space, and to Hygge Library Cafe for serving as the perfect, cozy host venue.
If you are looking for a fun, grounding analog activity in Baguio to help you disconnect from the screen and reconnect with yourself, I highly recommend checking out Journal Social Baguio on their socials. Do yourself a favor and join one of their upcoming meet-ups or workshops. Your mind (and your phone screen time) will thank you.