One of the most beneficial ways that I find to use my journal, is to reflect on something that is on my mind. It helps me to gain a fresh perspective and leads to my brain feeling less cluttered. I often like to start off by adding some creative elements to my page, which acts as a signal to my brain that it's time to switch off from the outside world and take a more mindful approach to my pages. In this blog post, I am sharing a tutorial of how I created some recent reflective journaling pages.
*You can click on any of the images below to enlarge them.
Step 1: Think about what you would like to reflect on in your journal pages. I am using a prompt from my new book which is on page 61. The prompt is "How many of your limitations are real? Or are they self-imposed?"
Step 2: Take some time to consider what creative elements you would like to add to your journal pages. I am recreating the journal pages shown on page 59 of my new book.
Step 3: Often the hardest part of starting a new journal page is that first step. As an easy way to make my first mark I have used some washi tape from London Gifties along the side of my left page. The journal I am using is from Start Bay Notebooks.
Step 4: I next used a pencil to roughly sketch the outline of a focal image on my journal page.
Step 5: Once I was happy with the sketch I used a Sakura Pigma Micron pen to ink it in. These pens are waterproof and come in a wide range of sizes.
Step 6: The next step was to add some watercolour to the rose. I wanted a mixture of red and pinks, but you could of course use any colours you like.
Step 7: Next I added some green paint to the stem and leaves. I varied how much paint I added to give a lovely mottled effect.
Step 8: To help tie the pages in together, I added splashes of the pink paint over the entire spread.
Step 9: For a really simple border, I used a Tombow Fudenosuke brush pen to add dashed lines around the side of my pages.
Step 10: I decided to add some stamped images to a couple of places on my page.
Step 11: Next I added a brush lettered quote which reads "An obstacle is often a stepping stone."
Step 12: Once all of the creative elements were finished I moved onto adding my journal writing, using a TWSBI 580AL fountain pen. I used the journal prompt to guide my thoughts and reflected on the limitations I have experienced.
I really hope this blog post has given you some ideas for your own journal, both in terms of things to write about and different creative elements that you could add.
*Some of the links in the post are affiliate links meaning that I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purcase at no additional cost to you.
*London Gifties: You can use the code HELEN at the checkout to get a free roll of Journal With Purpose washi tape included with your order.
*Start Bay Notebooks: You can use the code JWP10 for a 10% discount on all journal covers.
If you are interested in monthly journal prompts, creative challenges, bonus videos and journal printables, then I would love you to consider joining me over on Patreon.
You can also watch a video of me creating these pages down below. I really hope you're doing well. Happy journaling, Helen x