Being You

I didn’t realize until I took this picture — of a bit of journal experimentation using one of my favourite printable prompts as a template — that the page itself reveals aspects of what it feels like to be me: colour-inspired, enthusiastically chaotic in my approach to new ideas, and, in so many ways, a work in progress. All of which I’m slowly learning to embrace — rather than reject as personal shortcomings.

Such an unexpected turn of events, which is so often the case when I go wandering in my journal. I haven’t even glued anything down yet or written my three words! Who knows what will happen next?

How about you? Right this moment, what does it feel like to be you?

Leap! - a new colourful words journal page

I love everything about the word leap. It’s super-short, but it conjures up lively images of leaping for joy, leaping over puddles, and, when required, leaping the occasional tall building. It’s also the subject of a long list of sayings denoting progress, surprise, growth, and delight — all excellent food for thought and the inspiration for my newest colourful words journal page.

I had such a wonderful time writing the prompts for this page that I ended up taking a little leap of my own — from journal making to pattern making. I wondered if I could create some simple background patterns for pages in my journal. I played with shapes and colours in Illustrator and ended up with several options, which I printed and included in the photo above. But now I’m also wondering if I can find a fun way to include colourful patterns in my journal pages . . .

In the meantime, I hope this page will inspire you to leap to your journal and start writing!

One thing you do like no one else

I started a new journal today, which always feel so good. Oh, the possibilities!

I knew exactly what I wanted on the first page — a new do your thing printable I’ve been working on. I printed the half-letter version and glued it right onto page one.

It was such fun to create a whole page with huge type and just one prompt. I’ve already got my response in mind . . . of course, as so often happens, I can’t keep it to just one thing. So far, I’ve got optimism, journal pages, apple crisp, and a few more — all of which I’ll write there, on the first page, to remind me whenever I need it, to do my thing.

If you’d like a copy of my do your thing printable journal page, you’ll find it right here — and it’s free!

What do you do like no one else?

Dream your dream - A new printable journal page!

Lately, I’m dreaming of big, meaningful words and bright colours. This new journal experiment is a colourful reminder that dreams come in all sizes and your imagination can embrace them all — from the little ones just for today to the magnificent ones that reflect your unique approach to your one-of-a-kind life. Happy dreaming, friends!

I dream in colour

Ever since my colourful words journal pages began to take shape, I’ve been experimenting with letters in Illustrator. This colourful combination made it into my journal.

Tell me about your dreams. What are you dreaming of today?

Journal pages in progress

On my virtual drawing board this week are two new colourful words journal pages - giggle and imagine - and a new experiment - a sort of interactive affirmation journal page to write and keep nearby while you dream your dream and do your thing. (The blue one up top says, “yes you can”.) They probably won’t end up looking exactly as they do here, but I’m loving the process of creating prompts within prompts. What do you think?

Love, inspire, make - new printable journal pages!

Speaking of love . . . I’m in love with the way these pages came together. Playing with colourful words and writing whimsical, even surprising, prompts to go along with them . . . you guys, this stuff makes my day.

Each page is designed to be journaled in the moment and can be used over and over again, whenever you’re in the mood for some quick, colourful reflection on your one-of-a-kind world. All you have to do is print and start writing!

You’ll find them in the new Colourful Words section of my shop. (The love page . . . of course . . . is free!)

Happy journaling!

love, inspire, make

The beginnings of a new set of journal pages. I am so, so excited about these ones!

Curious, inquisitive, fascinated . . .

Playing with words today. The first leads to the next, then to the next and so on . . . from curious all the way back to curious.

Is there one word that jumps out at you? Is there one that brings to mind a moment from your day?

What Is And What Could Be

As I was scrolling through Pinterest recently, I noticed the quote, “I see you in colours that don’t exist,” by poet Paul Matsumoto. Have you seen it before? I hadn’t, but it struck a chord.

I feel like this all the time. And not just in seeing people, but in so many of my experiences of the world. I find myself drawn to a vision of the world that doesn’t quite exist. Don’t we all? My vision tends toward kinder, slower, more accepting, less painful.

I often wonder how to incorporate that sensation into my journaling in a way that is constructive and rooted in everyday experience, but that also leaves room for expansion of the colour palette. It’s a constant challenge. It’s a fine line between aspiration and fantasy.

The truth is that I don’t know exactly how to do that yet. But it feels good to try. Today’s journal experiment is a step along the way – thinking about ways to bridge the gap between what is and what could be. It’s up in the shop if you’d like to take a peek.

For now though, do you carry a vision of a world that doesn’t quite exist? What does it look like to you?