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Journaling - The Write Stuff For You?

Posted by Ginger, Volunteer Mentor @gingerw, Jun 19, 2020

Long ago –okay, for me, it was long ago!- it was common for a young person to keep a diary, a place to write down the heartaches and giggles of growing up, the trials and tribulations of school, friendships, sports and activities. Sometimes it was a locked book, so that we felt secure knowing our secret thought remained a secret.

How times have changed! While I no longer keep a classic diary, it is no less important for me to write down thoughts, ideas, and heaven-knows-what, on a regular basis. Nowadays, the common name is a “journal”, and seems to appeal to every segment of society. There are an abundance of ways to do this, and so many reasons why. Although I prefer longhand, many people use a computer, and there are any number of prompts/styles/methods.

Let’s explore this together!

Do you journal? What prompted you to start? What would you tell someone who wants to start?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

marjou | @marjou | Sep 7, 2020

Well I tried my first attempt at art journaling, but don't know how to post on this thread. If I ever figure it out will post.

REPLY
2 replies
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @marjou "Well I tried my first attempt at art journaling, but don't know how to post on..." + (show)
@marjou

Well I tried my first attempt at art journaling, but don't know how to post on this thread. If I ever figure it out will post.

Jump to this post

Good afternoon @marjou. Congratulations....I would love to see your art journaling. when you press Reply a space opens up for you to type. Look at the top of the space above the word Reply and you will see a box and the words Photo/Files. Just click on that and it will tell you how to post your art journal images to this thread. Thanks and may you have the joy of the reveal today. Chris

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marjou | @marjou | Sep 8, 2020

@artscaping Hi Chris,
In full disclosure or disclaimer 😊 I'm neither a photographer or artist, but hopefully you can get an idea of my first attempt at art journaling with supplies I had at home. Thanks for your help in transferring file.
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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @marjou "@artscaping Hi Chris, In full disclosure or disclaimer 😊 I'm neither a photographer or artist, but..." + (show)
@marjou

@artscaping Hi Chris,
In full disclosure or disclaimer 😊 I'm neither a photographer or artist, but hopefully you can get an idea of my first attempt at art journaling with supplies I had at home. Thanks for your help in transferring file.

Jump to this post

@marjou This is awesome! I am curious, did you find yourself nervous to start it, and then relax? How did you feel when you finished it? Tell me about the things you included, and why, if you would like to share? Remember, there are no judgments, no "journal police", either here or in your mind!
Ginger

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1 reply
Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @marjou "@artscaping Hi Chris, In full disclosure or disclaimer 😊 I'm neither a photographer or artist, but..." + (show)
@marjou

@artscaping Hi Chris,
In full disclosure or disclaimer 😊 I'm neither a photographer or artist, but hopefully you can get an idea of my first attempt at art journaling with supplies I had at home. Thanks for your help in transferring file.

Jump to this post

Just wonderful. And @marjou, I have the same questions that @gingerw has. Tell us about the process and your discoveries. You are speaking to us with your art. We just need a little interpretation.
Chris

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marjou | @marjou | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@marjou This is awesome! I am curious, did you find yourself nervous to start it, and..." + (show)
@gingerw

@marjou This is awesome! I am curious, did you find yourself nervous to start it, and then relax? How did you feel when you finished it? Tell me about the things you included, and why, if you would like to share? Remember, there are no judgments, no "journal police", either here or in your mind!
Ginger

Jump to this post

@gingerw and @artscaping Well ladies my depression is so bad that I do not think clearly or come up with creative ideas as I once did, but this gave me something else to focus on. I also had to not be critical of myself in this process.
First thought, where or how to start? In my collages I think of background first which in this case was watercolors. Next what's the theme or centerpiece and looked into my collection of stuff like magazine pics or sayings that I cut out years ago. It's been years since I've done anything artistic I needed this to be simple. I've recently heard about doodling and tried that with black colored pencil on top of the watercolor. Selected the poem as centerpiece, added gems, then Japanese stickers, found some dried leaves and this unique colored thread that delicately frames the poem. Was fun to go through my stuff.
So no high expectations except " To Try" something artistic and see what happens? I learned to be easier maybe kinder to myself and managed to do something positive. Took about 2-3 hours of my day. Was reminded to put a date on my work. Will try this again.
Thanks for your encouragement...greatly appreciated. Hope this information of my process is helpful.

P.S. - Tried new things like gesso, watercolor pen brushes and watercolors which is all new to me and never took art classes.

Judy

REPLY
3 replies
Ellen | @helenfrances | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @marjou "@gingerw and @artscaping Well ladies my depression is so bad that I do not think clearly..." + (show)
@marjou

@gingerw and @artscaping Well ladies my depression is so bad that I do not think clearly or come up with creative ideas as I once did, but this gave me something else to focus on. I also had to not be critical of myself in this process.
First thought, where or how to start? In my collages I think of background first which in this case was watercolors. Next what's the theme or centerpiece and looked into my collection of stuff like magazine pics or sayings that I cut out years ago. It's been years since I've done anything artistic I needed this to be simple. I've recently heard about doodling and tried that with black colored pencil on top of the watercolor. Selected the poem as centerpiece, added gems, then Japanese stickers, found some dried leaves and this unique colored thread that delicately frames the poem. Was fun to go through my stuff.
So no high expectations except " To Try" something artistic and see what happens? I learned to be easier maybe kinder to myself and managed to do something positive. Took about 2-3 hours of my day. Was reminded to put a date on my work. Will try this again.
Thanks for your encouragement...greatly appreciated. Hope this information of my process is helpful.

P.S. - Tried new things like gesso, watercolor pen brushes and watercolors which is all new to me and never took art classes.

Judy

Jump to this post

When I read your post I thought of two attributes that you have:

Courage and
Creativity: (Collages, Watercolors)
Two qualities to be admired.

I wish I had at least a little of each!
Courage: some time
Watercolors, oils: help!
You are gifted.

REPLY
1 reply
Ellen | @helenfrances | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @marjou "Well I tried my first attempt at art journaling, but don't know how to post on..." + (show)
@marjou

Well I tried my first attempt at art journaling, but don't know how to post on this thread. If I ever figure it out will post.

Jump to this post

Keep trying
I forgot my password and had to start again.
You can do it

REPLY
marjou | @marjou | Sep 8, 2020
In reply to @helenfrances "When I read your post I thought of two attributes that you have: Courage and Creativity:..." + (show)
@helenfrances

When I read your post I thought of two attributes that you have:

Courage and
Creativity: (Collages, Watercolors)
Two qualities to be admired.

I wish I had at least a little of each!
Courage: some time
Watercolors, oils: help!
You are gifted.

Jump to this post

@helenfrances Thank you for your kind words.

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