The Surprising Way Creative Journaling Can Reconnect You with Yourself

Scrapbooking helped me connect with memories, but journaling? That’s helping me reconnect with myself. Here's how I’m bringing the two together for a creative self-care journey.

How I'm Rethinking My Approach to Scrapbooking

In my most recent video, the Christmas Memories folio book, I hinted that I've been rethinking how I do scrapbooking.  This rethinking came about because of all the personal stuff I went through last year with my parents and husband's health.  I was wearing so many hats and being all things to everyone that I was exhausted and utterly detached from myself by the end of the year.

I realized that I had given so much of myself away that I had nothing left for me. I'm sure many of you can relate to that.

So, in September, I decided to pick up journaling again to reconnect with myself. I used to keep a diary when I was growing up ("Dear Diary, today Johnny pulled my hair.  I hate him!"). I kept up with it all during high school, college, and early adulthood.  But somewhere in my late 20s, I stopped.  By that point, you're really getting into adulting, and things you used to do drop off.  But I remembered that journaling helped me hear myself think, face my fears, figure stuff out, and celebrate good things that were going on.  And I realized that maybe that's what I needed to get back in touch with myself again.  

More Than Photos

But I didn't want to use just words as I'd done in the past.  I wanted to incorporate the photos on my phone or from the old albums I found at my parents' house.  I wanted to start with a thought or a prompt and then find pictures and ephemera or use mixed media, stamping, doodling, and even Cricut to decorate my pages and support my journaling.

Now, this idea isn't new, and it's still scrapbooking.  It's like the old scrapbooks they had back in the day with the black pages.  You'd glue your photos down and maybe add a wedding invitation or graduation announcement, newspaper clippings—I'm thinking of my grandmother's albums—write a short note under the picture, and that was it.

But the way I'm going to scrapbook now is not how it's been popularized in the last decade or so, where everything is very structured with design "rules"  and layering and whatnot.  In my new approach, I'm emphasizing more of the story than the stuff.  I'm going for free flow, design be damned, being in the moment, hearing myself think, slowing down.

It’s a way to reconnect, reflect, and make self-care part of my creative process. Once I’ve connected with my thoughts, adding photos and ephemera makes it all the more meaningful.

Who Should Try This Approach?

Who should try this approach?  I would say anyone who:

• Is bored with how they're currently scrapbooking and wants to try something different

• Gets stuck on design and layout, feels like their pages aren't good enough, and/or suffers from comparison-itis or perfectionism

• Is journaling-curious, or

• Wants to use up their stash

What Supplies Do You Need?

You can use the same papercrafting materials and tools you already have.  If you're new to this, I suggest general scrapbooking materials like patterned paper and cardstock, a paper trimmer, and some stickers or embellishments to start.

You can use your standard 12 x 12 albums or mini albums for the journals or scrapbooks.  You can also make your own books with the Cinch or Thermal Cinch.  You can use softcover or hardcover journals from stationery stores.  Even a composition notebook would work.  It's your book, so you can set it up however you like!

The best thing is that Cricut fits so perfectly for this because you can still use it for your stickers, print-then-cut pieces, title blocks, and other design elements. 

Benefits of Creative Journaling

What's the benefit of this approach?  Well, in the few projects I've done so far, what I've experienced is this:

1. I'm focused on getting my thoughts on paper, whether it's responding to a prompt, recalling a memory, or processing a feeling.

2. I don't fret over what products to use.  I use a little this, a little that.  Whatever I feel like.  I'm not concerned about the design rules.  I play with all the stuff I've accumulated over the years.  I experiment.  I have fun with it.  I embrace all the messy and the crazy.  It's very freeing.

3. I lose track of time, which is great!  That means I'm in the flow and getting much-needed Me Time.

4. I'm learning to appreciate all aspects of my life.  Gratitude is good, and we could all practice it a bit more.

What I’ve found is that starting with journaling helps me get out of my head and into my heart. It’s a chance to get in touch with myself, process my feelings, and really appreciate the moments I’m scrapbooking about. It’s less about following what everyone else is doing and more about hearing my own voice.

If this resonates with you, grab my free journaling prompt sheet and try it. Start with journaling to care for yourself, and let the scrapbooking follow naturally.

I'm also hosting a 14-day journaling and scrapbooking challenge in February—don’t miss it!