Creating a visual journal is a one-of-a-kind experience. Unlike a traditional journal, you don’t just write, you draw, sketch, doodle, or even add clippings of photographs and magazine cutouts. And just like a diary, visual journaling is a very personal practice. Read this blog to find out what you can do to improve the way you use your visual journal and bookmark it to come back to it later.
Decide On A Theme
Creating a visual journal can be a bit difficult especially if you do not have a specific theme. Having a theme gives you a direction and allows you to express it freely. This reduces the burden on your mind to continuously express, rather you can try adding things that you associate with the theme. It can feel a little difficult and overwhelming at the start to decide on a theme, but once you begin journaling, it becomes fairly easy.
Collect The Materials
Visual journaling is incomplete without adding the materials that you associate with the theme. Let’s say you want to make a page in your journal about your experience visiting a place of your choice. You can add your travel tickets, maps, doodles, some memorable things you heard there or something that you are taking away from that experience. It need not be very artistic, it should just make you feel good within. Even if it’s that’s something as small as adding a quote you read there. Collect all the material you need to make that page a summarised version of your experience.
Plan A Layout of Your Choice
You have a theme and all the materials you need to begin but without a proper layout, it may all seem a little haywire. Try to find a layout for your visual journal that works for you. It should be able to encapsulate everything you feel, should look tidy, and allow you to jot down everything you want to easily. Knowing that you are not done with what you want to mention or add and have no space to add any other information further can be off-putting. Often the size of journals that you pick for yourself may vary. So, think of a layout that goes with the size of your journal and allows you to add everything that’s on your mind. This makes it a happy and freeing experience.
Be Willing To Explore New Materials
There’s no thumb rule that you need to follow while using a visual journal. Rather, the better way out is to try and explore as many new materials as possible to know what you really like. You can use stickers, oil or acrylic paints, pens, or anything that can help you express yourself better. Exploring all of them will give you a chance to think about which of these materials allows your creativity to flow. The best way is to figure out on the go as and when you journal. Once you know the sort of material that works for you, visual journaling can feel less forced and truly liberating.
Write As Little Or As Much As You Like
Making a visual journal is very personal to you. Hence, there’s no hard line on what you write & how much you write. Just because someone you know may choose to write more in their journal, you don’t have to. You can write as little or as much depending on your willingness to express about the theme. Ensure that you don’t pressure yourself to write.