2) Art Supplies: Some of these may seem obvious but here is a general idea of what you’ll need. Pens, Paintbrushes. I like Artist's Loft Synthetic Brushes, Paints: Watercolor - trasparent - fluid, Acrylic & Guache - opaque and more saturated color, Stamps, Ink, small spray bottle of water, Gesso, Tissue Paper. I could go on and on because you can literally use anything that will stick to paper to play with in your journal! In my Creative Journaling Playshop I explain more about how you can use each of these mediums.
3) Conquer your inner critique: It's easy to feel overwhelmed when staring at a blank sheet of paper but the great thing about it is, this is for your eyes only unless you choose to share it. So To Begin - Just Begin! Let go of all outcome and let your words, paint, or pencil flow across the pages without judgement.
4) Find inspiration: Once you get into the practice of creating journal pages you will start to see things differently. Anything can become inspiration! If you are just getting started I would suggest you start with taking a walk in nature. Yup, just take a walk. Nature is full of inspiration. Connecting with the pure vibration of nature with an open mind is one of the quickest ways to jump start your creativity. There are also many creative art and writing prompts you can explore. I talk more about those in my Playshop.
5) Create your background pages: Sometimes if you "just aren't feeling it" you can start with something as simple as creating background pages. You might want to mix paint colors on your pages and come back to them later when you want to write or collage on top of them.
6) Words: I love to play with words and quotes. Draw them, cut them out of magazines and make a collage, layer them on top of of your background pages or write a word and just doodle around it. A simple writing prompt is to answer the question "I Am____________" with several answers. Artist, author and friend Christine Mason Miller, aka SwirlyGirl, writes about this in her beautiful book, Desire To Inspire.
7) Draw simple shapes: Even if you say you're not an artist, just about everyone can draw repeating circles or triangles, squares that interlock, etc. I'm personally a fan of "dots" they show up quite often in my paintings.
8) Mixed Media: This is one of the funnest ways to journal because you basically are playing with all kinds of materials. One of my favorite things to do and very simple, is photocopy or print out an image in black and white and then paint it, or add whatever else speaks to you.
