One of the biggest things I struggle with as a creator is often feeling ‘not good enough’, or like there’s no point or real worth to my work. You constantly berate yourself into this corner where it’s hard to get yourself back up again, with confidence.
I’ve especially felt this for the past month; my creativity has been in crisis. I’ve turned down amazing opportunities, I’ve had things pass by me, and I’ve allowed myself to wallow in self pity. I’m not sorry about that, I kind of need it right now, I think. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t want to build myself back up again as soon as possible.
This is when I decided to start my latest Art journal. I’ve had some before, but never stuck at them in a daily routine, and I have tended to be so unorganised in the past that all my random doodles and collages end up in a variety of places. But this time, I’ve decided to keep everything in the one book, and I’m going to do something in it every single day, until it’s completely filled up.
Why?
I LOVE my art journal because there is literally NO PRESSURE whatsoever. It’s for me, and me only. I can use it for absolutely anything I like, and I never have to worry about it not being good enough. It doesn’t matter if I fill it with random thoughts, like a diary, and doodle around my notes. It doesn’t matter if I use my watercolours to paint something small and intricate within the pages. It doesn’t matter if I fill it with inspiring articles in magazines, or quotes I’d like to remind myself of. Whatever, anything goes.
So the reason WHY this is something I want to stick to, is because of how much it helps me. I get to feel creative, even in small ways everyday, without any pressure. My mind can’t tell me I’m doing this badly or it’ll never amount to anything, because I already know that! It’s a given already. IT’S FINE.
So I’m allowed to get messy, I’m allowed to scrawl whatever I want between the pages, I’m allowed to let out my innermost thoughts if I wish. I’m okay to practise drawing, and it;s even more okay if it looks awful. It’s a beautiful way of documenting my life in the simplest form, creatively.
I can record memories, I can write about all the things that inspire me, or I can practise a new technique.
At the moment I’m favouring collage; because the easy, simple cute and paste method is soothing to me. It just helps me get started for the day, even when I’m at my most unmotivated. Plus it’s a great way to use up all the cute tapes/papers/polaroids I have hanging around 🙂
Doing this daily is helping me focus on something positive too. I feel like I’m accomplishing something, even if small. I think that’s what I need most right now; cheering myself on for the small stuff. I might not be doing anything of any importance, but it’s helping me piece myself back together into a more positive, creative mind.
I would 100% LOVE to see everyone reading this starting their own art journal – because ANYONE can do one! I promise you’ll be glad you did! It doesn’t matter if you jot down poems, use watercolour, collage, add glitter, collect photos/other small treasures, or even finger paint. There are no rules, and it can spark a great creative side of yourself!
Let me know what you guys think, and you can follow my creative Instagram here (@dorkfacedraws) to keep an eye on my progress.
Happy journaling!
I love it!
This is absolutely amazing Jemma, I love it – I know its not meant to be perfect, but it looks it haha! I find the same with my bullet journal, even though there are ‘guidelines’ with it, I don’t stick to them and just put whatever I want in it and it helps to keep the creative part of my brain alive!
Lucy | Forever September
Same Lucy! I love to be a bit of a free spirit with them and I have so much more fun that way! xx
Wow this is beautiful, you’re such a talented girl! I know what you mean though, about finding it soothing, I just randomly drew a massive picture of rainbows and emojis and unicorns the other day and it made me feel so peaceful haha!
Beckie xo // The Pale Tails
I am just having a bit of a doodle every now and then and that keeps me going – nothing as creative as this. My creative is writing!
Rachael xox
http://gatsbyandglamour.blogspot.com
That’s fab! Glad you’re feeling it in your own way! 🙂 x
This is SUCH a lovely, lovely idea! I don’t think I’d be able to do it daily as I’m usually out until quite late by the time I work out. But I love the idea of making this a weekly or evening monthly thing! 🙂 Your journal is so creative and beautiful. You’re very talented young lady! xx
Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x
Awww thanks babe! And yeah that sounds so good as a way for people to get a bit creative even just every now and again!
I feel so inspired by this! I’m not the most creative person but I would love to explore my creative side and this seems like a good low pressure way of doing it. I also have a spare leuchtturm sketch book I bought by accident so I will be able to make use of it
Abbie
overpeachchic.com
YESSSS Abbie this is awesome! Definitely go for it! <3
I would loovee to start doing this! I’m always looking for a creative outlet lately and I think you have given me the answer! I also really want to create a baby scrapbook so I may start that soon.
Love your pics of your journal, can’t wait to see it develop.
Saph xx
theravenwoman.blogspot.co.uk
Wow, your art journal looks awesome! I did some pages in mine last year that I was really proud of, but this year I’ve mostly just been doing collages and it’s getting kind of boring. I think I need to work on making it messier and more spontaneous; just picking up a pen and letting whatever’s inside of me flow onto the page – that’s the best way to make art.
http://www.thesmalladventurer.blogspot.com.au
I’m trying to start a bullet/art journal. I’m always looking for inspo on instagram and tumblr and your’s looks amazing gurl. <3
Jessica | http://www.italktogh0sts.blogspot.co.uk
Love this! I recently found an old scrapbook/collage journal which I made in an old vintage style book. This makes me want to do a new one! Love how colourful and textured yours is. Have you ever used a smash book? They look quite cool too. B x
https://withloveb.com/
Jemma, I love this so much!! I recently started an art/poetry book and It’s wonderful and so relaxing. It’s nice to vent all of my feelings. Maybe I should make a post about mine too? I’m just a little shy. xx
Naomi
http://www.teatimewithnaomi.com
I love art journals!! I’ve been working in one since September last year and I love how much creativity I get from it. It also gives me a chance to reflect on certain points in my life and is a great outlet for frustrations too. I adore your collages – think I may do some of my own! xxxx
I haven’t done much of anything creative in a long while, and I do miss it. I was really into making mandalas some time last year, and I got really busy at work so I stopped. I’d like to find the motivation to continue that again. I’m happy you’re finding yourself in your art – it’s beautiful, and so are you, darling.
Ashlynn | http://thecrimsoncardigan.com
I’m tossing up the idea to make a travel art journal to collect my travel memories in a more creative way rather than just share photos on FB so maybe I’ll give a try. I love the look of yours!!
Rai | http://www.utterardour.com
Yeah art journals are pretty awesome! I love how therapeutic they can be, I always make sure to have at least one and have fun with it, not worrying too much about the results!
Golden Poppy