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Written journals tend to be the most common type of creative journal. Whether you opt for free-writing, or you use it to simply jot down your experiences and thoughts, a written journal can prove useful for all creative types. It’s worth noting that a written creative journal is different from a traditional journal. While you’re still using it to free write in, you’re not using it to get your feelings out or talk about your day. Instead, you’re using it for inspiration and to record ideas, thoughts, and feelings which may ignite your creativity.
While an art journal is perfect for artists and graphic designers, it is useful for anyone that needs inspiration. It can be used to draw, paint, or attach cuttings out of newspapers and magazines. This type of journal can really get the creative juices flowing. The important point to note about this journal despite it having art in its' name is that you do not have to be Van Gogh or Monet to create one. Do what feels fun. Do what you think is pretty. Do NOT let your inner critic get the best of you in creating one. Paste a piece of black construction paper into the journal then paste magazine clippings of words and pictures on top. Just using a black background really gives a different feeling to page.
A scrapbook is one of the easiest styles of creative journaling you can do. You simply cut out images, quotes or anything you find inspiring and stick them into the journal. I tend to think of scrapbooks as more of cataloging family pictures or events. That's what they were when I was little. Today, that has very much changed and there are tons of scrapbooking
materials beyond pictures and children's' artwork. You can look over all of the things you’ve stuck into the scrapbook whenever you need a little inspiration.
The idea is, each question is designed to make you really think before you write your response. You’ll get used to analyzing the questions and answering them in as much detail as possible. The answers themselves can help spark creativity.
5 Styles of Creative Journaling
Did you know there are several different styles of creative journaling?
If you’re looking to nurture and boost your creativity, it can be beneficial to experiment with different styles of journaling. So, what are the different types? Below, I talk about discovering just 5 styles of creative journaling and the benefits they can deliver. This is by no means an exhaustive list. The main purpose of these methods is sparking creativity. If you struggle with creativity, check out my post here.
1. Written journal
Written journals tend to be the most common type of creative journal. Whether you opt for free-writing, or you use it to simply jot down your experiences and thoughts, a written journal can prove useful for all creative types. It’s worth noting that a written creative journal is different from a traditional journal. While you’re still using it to free write in, you’re not using it to get your feelings out or talk about your day. Instead, you’re using it for inspiration and to record ideas, thoughts, and feelings which may ignite your creativity. 2. Art journal
While an art journal is perfect for artists and graphic designers, it is useful for anyone that needs inspiration. It can be used to draw, paint, or attach cuttings out of newspapers and magazines. This type of journal can really get the creative juices flowing. The important point to note about this journal despite it having art in its' name is that you do not have to be Van Gogh or Monet to create one. Do what feels fun. Do what you think is pretty. Do NOT let your inner critic get the best of you in creating one. Paste a piece of black construction paper into the journal then paste magazine clippings of words and pictures on top. Just using a black background really gives a different feeling to page.3. Scrapbook
A scrapbook is one of the easiest styles of creative journaling you can do. You simply cut out images, quotes or anything you find inspiring and stick them into the journal. I tend to think of scrapbooks as more of cataloging family pictures or events. That's what they were when I was little. Today, that has very much changed and there are tons of scrapbooking materials beyond pictures and children's' artwork. You can look over all of the things you’ve stuck into the scrapbook whenever you need a little inspiration. 4. Prompt journal
Another style of creative journal which can help trigger and nurture creativity, is a prompt journal. This is basically a journal which asks you questions or asks you to write out lists. A perfect example is a travel bucket list. Another common prompt is "What scares you?" You can either pick these journals
up online or you can create one yourself. A simple Google search or Pinterest search will result in more prompts than you can imagine.
up online or you can create one yourself. A simple Google search or Pinterest search will result in more prompts than you can imagine.
5. Mind mapping journal
Mind mapping is a fairly new journaling technique which can work wonders. It’s a visual style journal similar to bullet journaling or brainstorming. However, rather than cutting out random images and sticking them in the journal, mind mapping works by recording your ideas in a visual way. You can see how different ideas interconnect, compliment each other, intersect, and so on.
For example, write down the main theme of your idea, draw a big circle around it, then think of other ideas which relate to it. You then connect your sub ideas to the main idea which creates a mind map.
These are just 5 styles of creative journaling you can try. Each has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. Think about the style you’re most likely to benefit from and which you'll be most likely to do regularly. Practicing regularly is what maintains your creative energy and keeps the inspiration flowing.
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