Truth Bombs and Tea with Jennifer Garner
Journaling as prayer & a New Year’s Eve ritual
A few months ago, a friend gave the beloved actress, producer, and entrepreneur Jennifer Garner a copy of The Book of Alchemy. I later learned she’d been not just reading it, but journaling to each prompt. When I wrote the book, this is exactly how I hoped it would be used, so hearing that she was doing just that (and had already made it through 35 consecutive prompts!) was thrilling.
I admire Jen so much for her generosity, thoughtfulness, and the way she shows up—on the page and in the world—with such good humor and heart. I got the chance to sit with her over a cup of tea in her living room, and it was pure delight. We laughed. We both got a little choked up. As Jen put it, she dropped a few truth bombs. (We also bonded over our shared office-supply addiction.)
What I’m sharing with you today is the full video of that conversation. It’s the kind of conversation we’ll be having together this month: honest, unguarded, unconcerned with arriving anywhere impressive.
One of the moments that stayed with me was when Jen talked about how, if you stay with the page long enough, you start to notice what keeps circling back. And how eventually, almost without trying, you find yourself asking a gentler question than What’s wrong with me? Instead: How might I shift this?
That noticing, that pivot away from self-criticism, toward curiosity and tenderness—that’s why I do this work.
Before we turn the page on the year, I want to share a small ritual I return to every December 31. I call it “The Five Lists.” It takes me about ten minutes and helps me feel oriented—not fixed or resolved, but open to what might come next.
The Five Lists
What from the last year are you proud of?
What did this year leave you yearning for?
What’s causing you anxiety?
What resources, skills, and practices can you rely on in the coming year?
What are your wildest, most harebrained ideas and dreams?
I like to think of this ritual as an inventory—one that offers exorcism, motivation, and celebration. These lists quiet my inner critic and remind me that I’ve already accomplished so much—that I know what I want, that I can face what’s ahead, that I have more resources than I think, and that I’m allowed to dream as big as I dare.
If you want to keep going, our 30-Day New Year’s Journaling Project begins tomorrow. I’ll be sending one prompt each day in January.
You’re very welcome to join us.
With love,
Suleika
You can watch our full conversation here—
This conversation is part of the Journaler’s Routine, my ongoing interview series with Random House. You can access a transcript of this video here.
Our Minneapolis journaling club (inspired by your guidelines and book!) did the ‘Five Things’ prompt the last time we met, and the writing and the conversations were elevators and inspiring! The last meeting, there were 19 people who attended, and more are still interested. I am on day 179 of daily journaling. At 64, I have had so many starts and stops, but daily journaling has now become like breathing for me. Thank you so much for your continued inspiration, energy, and heart!
Wow! As a HUGE fan of both Suleika and Jennifer, I thoroughly enjoyed this down-to-earth and relatable conversation. I look foward to starting the journaling project tomorrow.