Art journal how to guide is designed for beginners to learn about all the amazing benefits of getting started with a creative diary.
Just like working out and meditation, there are several different kinds of journaling techniques for everyone.
Now as someone who considers themselves a visual learner, I struggled with the typical written journal. No matter how badly I wanted to I thought I could never commit to a steady journaling practice.
Art journaling is an amazing outlet to organize your thoughts, keep hold of precious memories and process old emotions.
After a couple weeks of having one, I noticed a significant decrease in my anxiety day to day.
So, even if you absolutely love your typical written journal, why not try designing an art journal to get your creative exploration juices flowing?
It’s inexpensive, visually appealing and simply a new thing to try out in your creative self care routine!
WHAT IS ART JOURNALING?
Art journaling is a form of creative self care that has all kinds of colors, images, patterns, jewels, and any other art or nature materials as a way to document events and express yourself.
And here’s the thing : the creative license is completely in your hands when it comes to an art journal!
In fact, there are no rules to stick too!
Each art journal is completely catered to whatever you want it to look like.
Whether that be having more words than pictures, or just imaged filled pages it’s whatever helps you to express yourself in a colorful and experimental way.
Need some help getting started? Check out the video below by the stunning artist Jordan Clark to get all you need:
EVIDENCE BACKED BENEFITS
“Journaling is mindfulness in motion,” it shines a spotlight on the invaluable things in your life that you might not always recognize.
Lisann Valentin
- Releases that feel good serotonin hormone
- Massively reduces stress & anxiety
- Emotional detox (healthy outlet to explore past experiences)
- Fun way to plan & reorganize goals
- Creativity & brain exercise ( aka improving memory!)
- Self discovery tool
- Builds stronger immune system
- Self confidence aid
But how can journaling have all these positive effects?
In the New York Times article, ” What’s All This About Journaling?” reveals a New Zealand study that reveals it’s down to a number of things. Social psychologist, James W. Pennebaker, explains, ” Labeling emotions and acknowledging traumatic events — both natural outcomes of journaling — have a known positive effect on people, and are often incorporated into traditional talk therapy.” Expressing our thoughts ( whether in an art, written or mix of both journal) helps us to reorganize traumatic events in our lives which in turn helps our memory function. With reduced anxiety our sleep patterns improve which boosts our immune system and wellbeing.
Below are a couple of other studies that support the amazing benefits of journaling to check out ( but I encourage you to take a look at a lot more!)
2018 study for reduced anxiety levels
2020 study parents of SEND students :
WHAT SHOULD YOU INCLUDE?
- Collages from pictures in magazines
- Painting
- Doodling
- Creating lists ( wish lists, coping strategies, travel places)
- Inspirational quotes
- Sketching everyday routine( great mindfulness activity)
- Filling it with photos you took
- Writing out feelings
- Focusing on a theme / emotion like gratitude
Related : 10 High Vibrational Art Activities to Cultivate Radiant & Positive Energy
ENTRY PROMPT IDEAS
- Hard day? Try expressing your emotions via a collage of words from a magazine, pictures or colors.
- Bad mood? Making a page of encouraging quotes with bright colors.
- Can’t get productive? Writing/illustrating a scene in which you came over a past struggle to inspire yourself to get motivated, or glue in pictures of people who inspire you and why.