Bound to Journal

Discover Clarity, Purpose, and Creativity Through Journaling and Essential Oils

Are you looking to:

Create more clarity and focus in your life with journaling?
Use to reduce stress and increase creativity?
Find your unique journaling style to reflect your personal journey?
Build a meaningful self-care routine with wellness tools that work for you?

Let’s work together to start answering those questions.

You’ll reap a list of benefits from our journaling methods while relaxing your mind, reducing your stress, increasing your memory and focus, and stimulating new ideas to help you move forward.

Imagine this...

A quiet New Year's evening at home, a few glasses of wine, and a notebook in hand.

As we reflected on our past year, the process of journaling opened up new ideas and possibilities for the year ahead. Long story short, that’s when we truly realized how journaling combined with essential oils can unlock new levels of clarity, focus, and creativity.

This is what we’ve been teaching ever since: how to blend the transformative power of journaling with essential oils to create a balanced, purposeful life—just as we did. And we promise you’ll be amazed by the results.

That night as we journaled together, memories flooded back—beautiful, poignant, and even challenging experiences. Writing them down not only sparked new insights but also helped us gain clarity on what mattered most. By the end of the evening, our goals for the coming year didn’t seem like distant dreams, but achievable milestones.

We’ve used this method of reflective journaling and goal-setting combined with essential oils ever since. The same process can help you focus your mind, unlock creativity, and gain clarity on your goals.

Ready to get started? Download our free one-page journal with simple prompts designed to help you unlock clarity, reduce stress, and spark creativity. It’s the perfect introduction to our unique journaling method.

Get your one-page journal

As we journaled, the wonderful experiences and events of the past year triggered more memories. We could barely write fast enough to keep up with our thoughts. When we exhausted that list, we moved on to setting our goals for the coming year. The goals we wrote, which might once have felt unattainable, no longer seemed like impossible dreams.

And the same is possible for you. We promise you’ll surprise yourself with what comes through when you open yourself up to this process.

So grab a pen and download our one-page journal for FREE and we’ll show you how a few simple prompts can help you discover the benefits of journaling.

Grab Your Journal Now

Do you have that nagging feeling like there’s something more to do, improve, explore, or embrace? Perhaps you’re comfortable in your routine, but you crave continuous learning, new interests, and a spark of curiosity.

Perhaps your once-busy schedule has opened up. Maybe you're experiencing more free time, an emptier nest, or a bit of extra income. Simply existing without engagement isn't for you; you value relaxation but also yearn for meaningful activities. Instead of viewing transition as an end, you see it as the beginning of your 'second wave' of living.

So, what are you waiting for? If making decisions or setting new goals feels overwhelming, our journaling methods can provide clarity and motivation. Starting the process--allowing yourself to dream and set goals--often triggers a euphoric reaction, filling your imagination with endless possibilities.

Download your FREE one-page Journal from our Resource Page.

Get your one-page Journal

It’s a strange feeling to get to the point in your career where you still enjoy it, but you're no longer chasing the next promotion.

There’s that nagging feeling like there’s something more to do, to improve, or to embrace. You’re comfortable with what you do, but want to continue learning, spark new interests, and keep your curiosity ignited.

Perhaps the activities that kept you overly busy have changed. Maybe you’re finally experiencing more free time, an emptier nest, or possibly a little expendable income. Just existing without engagement isn’t an option for you but relaxing is important, too. Instead of looking down the road at retirement as an end, you’re ready to start embracing the possibilities for your ‘second wave’ of living.

What are you waiting for?

If making decisions or setting new goals seems daunting, our journaling techniques and suggestions may be just what you need to help clarify and kick-start the process. In fact, many times just starting the process – allowing yourself to dream with a goal – triggers a euphoric reaction filling your imagination with possibilities.

Meet Allen & Lisa, co-founders of Bound to Journal

How it all started:

In the fall of 2010, after a 15-hour first date and a few phone conversations, we knew we'd be sharing the second half of our lives together.

Both of us had been leading busy, demanding careers, juggling full-time jobs, multiple side gigs, and continuing our education. Life was exciting but grueling. We found ourselves craving something simpler and more meaningful—more time outdoors, self-care, and time for reflection. Though we lived several states apart and didn’t know each other existed, we were both on the same path, seeking a healthier, more balanced life.

Had it not been for the internet and a well-timed keystroke, we may never have met. Today, we focus on living intentionally—embracing the small steps that lead to the life we envision.

Each day, we celebrate the possibilities that come from a place of hope, gratitude, and creativity. And we know journaling, essential oils, and nature can help you do the same.

Bound to Journal and Redsage™ LLC are the products of our journey.

Meet Lisa

Teacher of littles and bigs. Lover of folk art and cultural containers. I’m a reluctant cook and indoor plant killer. Projects, projects, projects! I’m obsessed with planning and creating, and my numerous lists and sticky notes entertain Allen.

I rejuvenate in natural settings, but landscape designs, lime green plants, and feng shui influences provide a mental challenge and balanced sense of order. I cherish the quiet sanctuary of home, but keep bags packed for any opportunity to travel. Allen’s taught me to relax, laugh at myself, and embrace what I consider imperfections. I know joy.

With over 80 years of combined experience in education, book arts, visual and cultural arts, and business management, we've had the privilege of working with thousands of students and customers, helping them develop creative skills while fostering both personal and professional growth.

Over the years, we’ve managed businesses, developed innovative educational programs, and shared our passion for journaling and aromatherapy in ways that truly resonate. By combining our deep knowledge of wellness, creative techniques, and mindfulness, we've crafted a unique approach that integrates journaling, essential oils, and mindfulness practices to help you find clarity, purpose, creative style, and joy in every aspect of your life.

Meet Lisa

Meet Allen

I like a good grilled burger. I’m a career service manager, fly-fisherman at heart (slowly converting to fishing from a boat), greenhorn inflatable kayaker, hobby bicyclist, lover of mountain streams and lakes, power tool enthusiast, amateur photographer, owner of a ridiculous amount of CDs, fishing books and magazines, t-shirts, and underwear.

Our hands fit perfectly together. Every day with Lisa brought healing to my heart and mind, which meant clarity and newness of life. When we started our journey together, the first gift I gave her was a journal, so we could capture the moments of our new story.

A Little More About Us

A good sign: The first gift Allen gave Lisa was a journal—a simple, yet meaningful gesture that reflected his understanding of the power of reflection and self-expression. Little did we know at the time, this thoughtful gift would not only become a cherished keepsake but also a symbol of the journey we would embark on together. For us, journaling has always been more than just a way to write down thoughts—it's a tool for discovery, growth, and capturing the essence of life’s most precious moments. This gift set the tone, reminding us daily of the importance of pausing, reflecting, and embracing the beauty of the present.

Just for fun, we took the South Dakota Park Challenge, visiting and recording all 67 parks in one year, in the state Park Passport journal. We also use a National Park Passport to journal our visits and new adventures. For us, journaling isn’t just about writing—it’s about capturing life’s moments, whether it’s a park visit or an everyday experience.

We travel everywhere with our inflatable kayaks, fishing poles, and journals, always ready for an opportunity to explore new waters. Whether we're paddling down a quiet stream or capturing the beauty of a secluded spot in our journals, nature is where we find inspiration, clarity, and creativity. It's our way of reconnecting with ourselves and the world around us—an integral part of our journey, both personal and professional.