Art journaling is something that's great for my mental health, so naturally it's something that I rarely get around to doing. BUT, when I do, it always makes me feel a little chirpier, and adds that extra bit of pep to my step.
Bullet journals are something I can spend hours obsessing over on Pinterest, Instagram, and well the entire Internet really. I'm a sucker for a good double page spread. Now, I spend a bit of time most evenings pouring my heart into my bujo, and having a habit tracker is something I'd been meaning to set up since February. Naturally June was month one.
I find being creative with no boundaries or guidance really, truly hard. Hand me a piece of paper and a pencil and tell me to draw what I want and I'm lost. I'll dither, get anxious and end up producing something that objectively looks shit. From anyone's point of view. But, hand me some instructions, and a little extra guidance and I'm golden.
Bullet journals were always something I thought I wasn't creative enough to do, or wouldn't get on with at all, but as it turns out, that's just not true. I ADORE my dotty little book of ideas, plans and memories.
A few months ago I got totally absorbed by the idea of starting a scrapbook to document my favourite times so that I could look back on them when I'm sad. Aaaand then I realised I totally had a mini scrapbook at the ready in the form of my bullet journal?
If there was one thing I would love to be, it's more artistically creative. I love creating things with my words, but ask me to do it with images and I suck. This isn't a fishing for compliments post, just FYI, it's more of a 'let's get the facts straight first' kinda post.
I really feel as though exploring my creativity in a whole range of mediums could really help me overall. I always feel hella inspired after doing some mindfulness colouring, or taking some blog photos that I'm really into, but I need that extra nudge in the right direction.
In the past, I've dabbled in a 'Wreck This Journal', which I found fab because it prompted you. It gave you an idea that you could run with. I mostly went with a slow wander, but I could imagine some super artsy people making incredible things on each page.
So, when Penguin asked if I wanted to try 'The Line'* I practically screamed because 1.) Omg Penguin got in touch because of my weeny little blog?! and 2.) 'The Line' sounded incredible. It's made by the same woman who made the 'Wreck This Journal', but with this one you need way fewer supplies. A pencil should get you through. As I don't own too many any art supplies, I had found that I was a little limited in what I could do with my 'Wreck This Journal', so this was a welcome change.
I have to say, I'm hooked. I do a page a day when I get home from work to help me wind down. It gives me a chance to focus on something small and move away from the stress of the day. Each page seems to get more and more intense (I'm almost a quarter of the way through now), and I love how it forces you to engage with the book and with the line you're creating.
I keep pushing myself to think outside the box when it comes to this daily routine, and not make the simplest line drawing I can. I honestly think this is improving my creativity in so many other ways. I'm starting to explore new ways to take blog photos, and how to delve into my writing. I can't wait to see what else the book has in store for me on future pages!
*An item in this post was given to me for the purpose of a review, but all thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own*
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My yearly diary is my very own lifeline. I always have a mid year to mid year one because when I was at uni it was what made the most sense. Now I've kept up the tradition as it's nice to have that little six monthly reset: I set new goals and ambitions at New Year and re-motivate myself at around this time with a fresh new diary.
Although I try to keep things as positive as I can over on Nourish ME, the truth is that behind the scenes things can be a lot less optimistic. I don't want to use the word negative, because I really do try to keep the negative vibes away, but sometimes sadness can get overwhelming.
I've been struggling with depression, and the anxiety that goes hand in hand with it, for over four years now. Keeping my little corner of the internet over here at Nourish ME has been SO helpful, but there is a whole myriad of other things I do to help ease the impact of these illnesses upon my life.
About a year and a half ago, I started a 12-week course of CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and I actually found it incredibly useful in combating my anxiety issues. I know loads of different people have had a whole variety of different experiences with it, but that's mine (if you want me to write a whole post on what was involved with my CBT and what I thought about it all then let me know).
When I was perusing Pinterest a couple of months ago, I came across an article - let's face it, it was probably buzz feed - all about self-help and interactive journals. Paired with an old Waterstones voucher I found in a drawer, this idea was all good to go and I picked out the journal that looked best and 'voila', there I was with my very own Start Where You Are journal. I am so glad I came across this because it has honestly worked hand in hand with the things I learnt on my course of CBT.
The Start Where You are journal takes you on a journey of self-exploration, and gets its name from the notion that you don't need anything but yourself, here and now, to get started on this journey. Each double page spread features a watercolour quotation designed by the author Meera Lee Patel, as well as a thinking and writing prompt. Some of my favourites so far have been: 'write down ten big dreams that haven't come true yet' and 'fill these tiger outlines with three of your biggest fears, then colour them in until you can't see the fear anymore'.
I love the whole concept behind this journal because, although I'm a really creative person, and love exploring through that medium, I'm really rather shit at anything artsy. Honestly, I'm below stick people level. If you asked me to sit down and create a nice photo set-up or a descriptive piece of text, I'd be all over it, but ask me to draw something and let my mind flow free? I'm stumped.
Everyone at the moment is obsessed with Bullet Journals, and I honestly love the idea behind them, but in reality, my lack of artistic creativity and my ungodly scrawl would make me so upset that my BuJo would just make me cry. This is where my Start Where You Are journal comes in. It nurtures my creativity, occasionally asking me to draw certain things, colour things, or just allows me to bask in the beauty of Meera's watercolours. Thus, I have the perfect medium: I can be creative, without having to form my own creative destiny.
There's absolutely no set order you have to fill the journal in in, or guidelines over how frequently you need to fill each page in. I've incorporated my Start Where You Are journal into my pre-bed anti-anxiety rituals that help get me ready for the night. It gives me an opportunity to reflect over my day, and I have a quick glance through all of my previous filled in pages before starting a new one.
All in all, this journal has really helped me to learn a lot more about myself, and has helped me embrace the positivity in every single day. It's worked hand in hand with my CBT, and reminded me that each day is special, and each day is worth it.
Have you used a similar journal?
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