How to create your own visual journal

A fun way to be creative is to start a visual journal. This activity is used to help people analyze their emotions and can help you sort through thoughts and feelings in a way words sometimes can’t. Also, it is a super fun and relaxing activity.  Here is how you can create your own visual journal.

1. Gather Materials

To start a visual journal, you will first need a notebook of any shape or size, markers, colored pencils, crayons or paint and tape or glue. You can also use sudoku puzzle sheets, magazine or newspaper clippings as well as coloring sheets. To make a visual journal, you can use just about any material you like to make any image you want.

2. Decide on your concept

Sometimes it can be difficult to decide what exactly you want to draw or write. It’s important to remember that your visual journal is personal to you and your experiences. So, when thinking of what you want to do, think about how your day has been, a strong emotion you’ve been feeling but are unable to express, or just think of the things in your life that make you happy. You can make a visual journal about anything!

3. Embrace imperfection

While creating a visual journal is an art form, you do not need to be artistic to create your own. It’s okay if you can only do stick figures or your drawings are not particularly beautiful. The point of journaling is to express an emotion or work through a thought. Be okay with however your thoughts show themselves on the page.

4. Break the Rules

There is no right or wrong way to create a visual journal. When making your journal, each page is a part of your journey into self-reflection. So, when you get into drawing and making your journal, remember that it is a personal experience and that no one can tell you what you should be doing.

5. Try something new

If starting from scratch is too difficult, try taking an older, slightly used book and modifying it. You can draw pictures in the margins, draw over paragraphs of text, make poetry with lines from the book, or even cut and draw over the images to turn them into something completely different. There are so many ways to creatively use your visual journal. Try something new and enjoy yourself.

Visual journaling is a way to get creative and practice some self-care. Take an unused journal or even go out and buy a new one and get creative. Enjoy expressing yourself!