Journal
We spend one-third of our lives stressing about it, thinking it, talking about it and doing it. Journal is for everything work related.
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Stories in Journal that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
The goals I did not achieve
Every writing goal I made for the year is a wash. It has been this way for a while, but I think it's important to be open about my failures and the reality of how life can get in the way. This is especially true considering the several times I have posted on Vocal about my writing goals, how I was changing my approach, and where I was hoping to be for the upcoming year. I will probably do that again in a couple months, but for now, it is time to acknowledge where I am today.
By Kay Husnickabout a month ago in Journal
Listening To My Thoughts
December 4, 2025 I have not been writing for a while. I had a lot going on over the past few months that hindered my creative mind. My PTSD regarding my ex-husband. I read a lot of books to help me through my dealings with my abusive husband. I had my genuine validation when he was sentenced to 15 years by a judge last year.
By Mariann Carroll2 months ago in Journal
Completely on the Fly (November). Content Warning.
Ooh, it's been a few months since I did one of these pieces, and it shows. My mental health is on the floor at the moment, and then I thought, I need to write something on Vocal. I am so ADHD I forgot that I HAD been doing these 'on the fly' pieces - without thought, censorship, or embarrassment. So here I am again!
By Karen Cave2 months ago in Journal
What I learned working in the cannabis industry. Content Warning.
Over the last 13 years I was a budtender in the medical then recreational cannabis industry in Washington State. I also had the pleasure of working on a cannabis grow operation where I trimmed and packaged cannabis. It’s truly amazing to see how far we have come in Washington state with the cannabis industry. Over the last 13 years I watched us go from medical ma and pa shops to chain cannabis stores. The future is bright for the cannabis industry.
By Kristine Franklin3 months ago in Journal
Dream Log #1
I've been having some weird dreams lately. I think maybe it's best to write about them, see what they mean, and how to translate them. Sometimes, if I remember, I might translate it into a poem. Some are just strange and out there. One that has stuck in my mind is one about a friend who was murdered. It involves five of my friends. I'm not gonna disclose their real names, just nicknames for this one.
By Chloe Gilholy4 months ago in Journal
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Most recently published stories in Journal.
The $1.7 Billion Question: Where is the Europe Real Estate Market Headed?
Europe stands at a pivotal crossroads where historic architecture meets urgent modern demands. As investors and stakeholders navigate the Europe real estate market, they face a landscape defined by rapid regulatory changes and shifting demographic needs. The fundamental question is no longer just about location; it is about value, sustainability, and future-proofing assets against a volatile economic backdrop.
By Joey Moore23 minutes ago in Journal
Gen Z vs Millennials: Generational Shifts in the Europe Cosmetics Market
The beauty industry in Europe is currently undergoing a seismic transformation, driven by the distinct habits of two powerful demographics. As brands navigate the Europe cosmetics market, they must reconcile the impulsive, ethics-driven demands of Gen Z with the research-heavy, wellness-focused preferences of Millennials. Understanding these nuances is no longer optional; it is essential for survival in a highly competitive landscape.
By Joey Mooreabout an hour ago in Journal
Gold and Silver Keep Spiraling After Market Meltdown. AI-Generated.
Gold and silver — long viewed as safe-haven assets — are continuing to slide sharply lower following one of the most dramatic market sell-offs in decades. Prices that recently hit record highs have been hit by a cascade of selling pressure, driven by shifting investor sentiment, macroeconomic signals, and technical triggers that have transformed what was a rally into a rout. � Business Insider Historic Declines: What’s Happened So Far Over the past several sessions: Gold prices plunged sharply, extending losses after a record sell-off last Friday. Spot gold slid again as markets opened, deepening the downturn in bullion prices. � Reuters Silver has been even more volatile, continuing to shed value after its worst one-day plunge since 1980, with spot prices remaining well below recent highs and heavy selling persisting. � Reuters Both metals suffered widespread declines as margin requirements were raised and forced liquidations kicked in, amplifying sell pressure across precious metals futures markets. � Reuters The sell-off has also hurt related sectors, with precious-metals mining stocks and ETFs falling sharply as investors reassess exposure to these commodities. � Financial Times Why the Sell-Off Is Happening 🔹 Policy and Macro Shock A key driver behind the sharp decline was the nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, which signaled to markets a potential shift toward a more hawkish monetary stance. This reduced expectations of aggressive rate cuts and bolstered the U.S. dollar — a bad combination for gold and silver, which are priced in dollars. � Business Insider 🔹 Strong U.S. Dollar and Rising Yields A stronger dollar tends to make commodities like bullion less attractive as hedge assets. Combined with stabilizing yields on Treasury notes, this drained some of the speculative fuel from precious metals’ rally. � Financial Times 🔹 Forced Liquidations and Margin Hikes Exchanges including CME Group raised margin requirements for gold and silver futures, forcing highly leveraged positions to unwind. The result was sweeping forced selling, which rapidly pushed prices lower. � Reuters 🔹 Profit-Taking After Record Highs Both metals had surged to record prices just days before the crash — gold near multi-year peaks and silver above previous historic levels. Some investors seized the opportunity to take profits, accelerating downward pressure. � Alex Lexington Market Reaction: What Traders Are Seeing Analysts and traders describe the current environment as very volatile: 📉 Gold — After a previous rally that boosted bullion to record elevations, gold has reversed direction, dipping into technical correction territory as selling momentum builds. 📉 Silver — Known for its greater volatility relative to gold, silver’s plunge has been particularly severe — historical data show this as one of the most abrupt sell-offs in decades. � fintool.com Market comments from traders reflect shock at how quickly leveraged positions were unwound, often via algorithmic and margin-triggered selling, rather than fundamental shifts in the metals’ underlying value. Some market observers compare the move to structural liquidations rather than simple profit-taking. � Reddit Are These Declines the End of the Rally? Though the drops have been dramatic, many analysts caution not to dismiss the longer-term structural factors that previously supported gold and silver, such as central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, and inflation hedging demand. While the short-term outlook is dominated by sell-offs and volatility, trends over months and years may still favor bullion under certain conditions — especially if economic uncertainty or macro risks resurface. � euronews Some market commentary suggests that what we’re seeing now could be more of a market reset or correction than a full reversal of the metals’ multi-year advance. � Philstar.com Impact Beyond Metals The metals crash has reverberated through broader markets: Mining stocks and related ETFs have been hit as investors flee from leveraged and sector-specific exposures. � Financial Times Broader commodity sentiment has turned cautious, with other industrial metals also sliding in response to the retraction in speculation. Equity markets have shown correlated volatility as risk sentiment shifts and investors reassess safe-haven allocations. What Investors Are Watching Next Experts suggest market watchers should monitor: 📌 Dollar strength and Fed signals — Continued confidence in the U.S. currency could keep pressure on dollar-denominated assets. 📌 Margin and leverage conditions — Further changes to futures exchange requirements could trigger more technical selling. 📌 Global macro risks — Any uptick in geopolitical instability or inflation concerns could revive safe-haven demand over time. Conclusion: A Volatile Chapter for Precious Metals After months of record-breaking rallies, gold and silver have experienced one of the most dramatic corrections in decades. The sell-off reflects a complex mix of macroeconomic expectations, technical market triggers, and forced liquidations — a sharp reminder of how sensitive precious metals markets can be to shifts in monetary policy sentiment and leveraged positioning. In the short run, investors are bracing for continued volatility. But whether this marks a sustained downturn or simply a recalibration within a longer-term precious metals bull market remains a topic of debate among analysts and traders alike.
By Zahid Hussainabout an hour ago in Journal
United Kingdom Leather Goods Market Size and Forecast 2026–2034. AI-Generated.
United Kingdom Leather Goods Market Overview The United Kingdom leather goods market is poised for steady and resilient growth over the next decade, reflecting the country’s enduring fashion heritage and evolving consumer preferences. According to Renub Research, the market is anticipated to expand from US$ 9.70 billion in 2025 to US$ 15.44 billion by 2034, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.30% during 2026–2034.
By Sakshi Sharmaabout an hour ago in Journal
Creators We’re Loving
The creative faces behind your favorite stories.
Kristine Franklin
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Euan Brennan
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Karen Cave
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ROCK aka Andrea Polla (Simmons)
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D-Donohoe
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Mark Gagnon
457 published stories
Diane Foster
230 published stories
Mariann Carroll
414 published stories
Gabriela Tone
205 published stories
Brier
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