Journaling: Where to begin?

Perhaps one of the most valuable components of our "inside out" layouts is the journaling. We can bring product, symbolism and photos into it all we want but it's the words that add that final piece of value.

Layout by Melissa Elsner

Sometimes, though, I find myself at a loss for words. They are there. Right at the tip of my tongue. I can visualize the pictures but the actual words just won't come out.

What do we do when we have "journaling block"? Well, I'm going to share with you some thoughts, ideas, suggestions and exercises that will, hopefully, help you as much as they have helped me.

Layout by Diana Brodeur

#1: Remove any fear of being grammatically correct.

All you English majors out there, I know this is hard for you. Punctuation and all the other rules of language are very important to you. Good for you! We all have our strengths, right? Well, I am not an English major and I'm sure you have noticed that in this blog post already. 

But seriously, get over the fear of "sounding smart" or having the comma in the appropriate place. It doesn't matter. (No it doesn't English majors!) It is YOUR layout. These pages are your visual journaling pages. 

Layout by Jen Matott

Here is an exercise for you to try: 

Take out a sheet of notebook paper. Look at our emotion for the month - FORTUNE. What comes to mind? 

Write it down. 

Keep going and see where the words lead you. You might be surprised! Then, you can copy what you write or use that notebook paper on your layout. Fold it up and tuck it behind something for some hidden journaling. 

This exercise has helped me tremendously when I think I have "writers block". The pictures and visuals floating around in my head, soon become actual words and I'm able to get it all out. Process it. See it in words and enjoy the process of this sort of therapy.

Layout by Lori Wilbanks

It's amazing what this simple exercise can do. It seems so easy - almost trivial. But I dare you to try it out.

Other tips?

Don't worry about your handwriting. I can tell you that finding old notes that were handwritten by my great-grandmother were such a special find. It was so cool to see how she wrote. I find it so much more personal and personable. Of course, there is truly nothing wrong with typing what you have to say. Sometimes our hands don't move as fast as our brain when it comes to holding a pen to paper. Just don't let that delete button become your best friend. :) 

Oh, and did you notice that there was not a "#2 rule"? That will come next month as we continue to chat about journaling on our Inside Out layouts.