Art Journaling and Your Bujo

What would you say is your greatest impediment to pursuing creative projects or starting artsy hobbies?

If you have a demanding career, a heavy school workload, young children or any number of responsibilities and obligations that constantly require your attention, the answer is a no-brainer.

Time. There’s simply not enough of it in a day.

So how do you nurture your inner creator and make time for art when your days are already full?

The answer might lie in art journaling.

In its simplest definition, an art journal is a visual diary. It is a creative way to keep a record of your life. You can express your thoughts, feelings and ideas using different media and different forms. You can sketch, paint, do calligraphy, make a collage or just even just doodle.

The Benefits of Art Journaling

• Creative activities are a great way to relieve stress! Getting all the tension and chaos out of your head and down on paper can be cathartic.
• Doing something creative activates the right side of your brain. The brain’s right hemisphere is the seat of artistry, curiosity and problem-solving!
• You will have a visual representation of your thoughts and feelings! Because sometimes, words are not enough to express the width and breadth of your emotions.
• Art feeds the soul and is an inextricable part of being human. People are at their very best when they tap into their creativity.

Art Journaling and Your Bujo

Sure, the benefits may sound great, but does art journaling sound like too much work or too time-consuming for you?

It doesn’t have to be. One way you can seamlessly incorporate art and creativity into your busy life is through your bullet journal. Many people rely on their bujo to keep them motivated and organized. And for some, it’s also their primary creative outlet.

This art journal-bujo hybrid becomes not only a tool for productivity but also a tool for creative expression. If you already have your bujo habit down pat, carving a little extra time for art journaling shouldn’t be too difficult.

You don’t have to sketch a self-portrait in between doing your daily log and filling out your habit tracker. It can be as simple as doodling on the margins, drawing pretty borders and dividers or using colored highlighters and colored pens to liven up the pages or decorating your spreads with washi tapes.

“But I’m not an artist.”

Undoubtedly, there are some who will think this isn’t for them because they don’t see themselves as an artist. Not all people do, and that’s fine. We can’t all be Van Goghs and Picassos.

Nevertheless, all human beings are born with an innate desire to create! Even the most “left-brained” and analytical person out there has a well of creativity within them! This creativity is our greatest and most unique asset.

Creativity is also a muscle that needs regular stretching, flexing and practice in order for it to achieve its full range and potential. Having a regular creative outlet should do the trick!

Keep in mind, it’s your bujo, not your professional art portfolio. Too often we fail to enjoy the creative process because we stress over the result or the “finished product” not being good enough.

That’s not what art journaling should be about! Let go of all our self-imposed rules and expectations and just create! Refrain from making any judgments as you work. Let your creative juices flow as you find your creative zen zone.

Do not get fixated on the outcome. Do not worry if it is good. You can be creative just for creativity’s sake. You are creating for yourself and not for anyone else.

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