A Journey Through Journaling with Katie Dalebout

IT WAS GREAT TO MEET KATIE DALEBOUT AT HER EVENT AT CAP BEAUTY IN NYC ON A ICY COLD WINTER EVE.

AUTHOR OF ‘LET IS OUT’, AT THE AGE OF 27, SHE IS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST WELLBEING SPEAKERS I HAVE MET AND FILLS HER SHOES WITHOUT ANY DOUBT.

CERTAIN OF LIFE BEING AHEAD OF HER, SHE SHARES EVERYTHING SHE FOUND USEFUL TO HER ON LETTING GO AND FEELING GOOD WITH A SENSE OF GENEROSITY AND AN OPEN HEARTEDNESS.

Journaling is something proven to be a truly effective tool to stress relief. An anti depressant, a path to wellbeing, a shrink that listens and lets you take it out in scribbles, doodles, letters and notes.

This is something that aligns with our message on Abi’s Journal on how to live a soulful life, where ever you are, whatever it takes and it can be as simple as picking up a pen and a paper, which Katie so well describes in her book…..

Katie, I’m thrilled that you accepted this interview for Abi’s Journal!

Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

Yes I’m a person living in New York City. I’ve hosted a podcast since 2013 where I have very long conversations with people and record them, it’s called Let It Out. In 2016 I published my first book called Let It Out: A Journey Through Journaling which is a collection of 55 journaling prompts and exercises to help people feel feelings, get organized, gain clarity, and more.

How did you start journaling and when did it become more than notebooks and a pen?

I never grew up journaling but in college I was in therapy for the first time and reading a lot of self-help and eventually thought I needed to know who I was and what I thought before I just took the advice of other people on what worked for them so I started writing in my journal and found it cathartic and a tool for self awareness.

When you started your book adventure, what were the biggest obstacles and how did you overcome them?

I’d never written a book before so I had no clue the process. It was also such a huge undertaking and large document of words that each time I sat down to work on it I had to remember where I was and what I’d written before to return to it.

The biggest obstacle was staying organized and on track with deadlines while maintaining my full time job and my weekly podcast throughout. It taught me to be organized and productive and what times of day I was best at working.

photos by Abbey Moore

Can you share your favourite notebook tools? Where do you buy them? Do you like to write in a favourite colour?

I love beautiful journals from Shinola or Anthropologie but honestly I love using simple tools like a legal pad. When my journal that I’m writing in isn’t beautiful and precious I’m more comfortable being fully authentic to however I’m feeling that day without trying to write something that is as beautiful as the journal itself.

I can feel free to be negative if I need to be, cross out, and be raw with my feelings.

Where else can we find your tips on letting it out?

My book is called Let It Out which is a great place.

Also, my weekly podcast which is also called let it out and on my instagram which is @katiedalebout

What other books do you recommend to people who are in need of evacuating stress?

I love the book “Real Happiness” by Sharon Salzburg and “You Can Heal Your Life” by Louise Hay.