Express Youself

For some of us, journaling can be a intimidating; staring at that blank sheet of paper- your mind swirling with things you'd like to express. Sometimes it's hard to be honest with yourself because you fear someone might read your innermost thoughts and insecurities. You might get hung up on how your writing looks or with hoping you don't make a mistake.  Sometimes, you might feel like you just don't have anything to write about.

PaPaYa's motto of Creative Abandon has helped me break through those barriers with my own creative expression. The Creative Abandon credo of "answering only to your creative impulses" helps me in the creative process to experience the joy of creating. It's been very inspiring to be in an environment where I can witness this motto in action from artists like Anahata Katkin, Sabrina Ward Harrison, and Kathleen Rossi-Howell. So inspiring, in fact, that I have started to create my own journal.

I believe everyone is creative. Maybe you're better at writing than drawing. Maybe colors or photographs inspire you. Maybe you like to be reminded of things that make you laugh or smile. Whatever it is that inspires you, expressing it in a journal is one way to keep a record of your journey.

Here are some different types of ways you could journal:

Art Journals
For those of us who don't like to "stay inside the lines" try art journaling. For an inspiring glimpse into the world of art journals, visit Anahata Katkin's website. Anahata shares images from her art journals as well as some very thoughtful insights on the whole creative process. The Flickr group for art journals has some really beautiful collaborative images along with  interesting discussion threads to help you get started.

Gratitude Journals
RealSimple.com had their staffers keep a daily gratitude journal every day for one month. They posted a few of the results on their website (my favorite: “My babysitter, who is flexible sans crabbiness.”) and got a list of sweet, heartfelt, and funny entries that will make you smile.   DailyOm.com has a great article on gratitude journals that will help get you start your gratitude journal. 

Travel Journals
Too many times I've experienced something so wonderful during a vacation I thought there would be no way I would ever forget it. Then, the suitcase is unpacked and the sand is washed out of your shoes and pretty soon the moment is gone. Although you might seem rushed, writing down one particular scene that you love, a town's name and a quick or funny story, even a conversation will be worth your time for years to come.

Parents Journals
Keeping a journal of your child's life is priceless. As your child grows to become an adult and may become a parent themselves, those insights will become the most wonderful gift you could give. Things that may seem insignificant at the time could have a profound impact on your child. You could even find creative ways to give the tidbits of the journal to your child as they grow.

How do you use journals?

Comments

[discount coach handbags]

Reformulate the usual consensus thus:

"a vice presidential choice has little effect on election outcome *unless* it casts serious doubt on the judgment of the presidential candidate"

and you will find it is consistent with 2008 as well as past experience.

[Kirsten Keane]

This blog post really hit home for me. I've always wanted to journal, and I love writing, but I become way to concerned with what I'll think of it when I look back on it! Oddly enough, I'm concerned that my future self will think my current self needs to be put in the loony bin.

[Tangie Baxter]

I'm so glad to find your blog! I absolutely love, love, love your products and have bought several of them from Domestic Bliss in Mesa. I'm also THRILLED to be taking a class from Anahata at Journalfest! I'm just getting into art journaling and it's a delightful adventure to be sure.

[mary jo]

Thank you for the inspiration and the links. I have some really pretty journals just sitting around (was an avid journal-writer since I was a girl, but like many things, have abandoned it for the past few years) and now seems like a good time to start again. Just love all Papaya's beautiful products, so one of your journals is high on my list of things I'll be getting soon :-)
xo Mary Jo