Gratitude Journals - keeping track of the little things
An easy way to get started with a journal is to sketch, paint, collage, illustrate, whatever happens in our lives for which we are thankful.
In 2016, Jennifer Frith invited her followers to begin a gratitude journal and prepare a page for each week of the year. Visit this page to see her really awesome journal entries. I am certain you will be inspired!
The page shown was my first illustration in my own gratitude journal in 2016.
Brainstorm a series of your own prompts for a weekly gratitude journal
Through a series of prompts, Jennifer helped us think about people, events, and even objects and consider them from a different angle. In a dedicated journal, I illustrated my gratitude each week for more than half the year...and then I stopped. But now that I look back at all the completed, colourful pages, I wish I would have continued through to the end as some people did that year.
It was fun to see all the different interpretations that were posted on Instagram. Certainly, each prompt made me reflect on the importance for me of the weekly theme, and how I would approach it in my journal.
So this morning, as I drink my first cup of coffee, I am giving you a few prompts to think about and illustrate if you wish. You can expand on any prompt or create your own.
In thinking of ways to illustrate any of these prompts, find a quotation that is appropriate, and write it on the page. You can even print it out and illustrate around the quotation. There are no rules!
I am thankful for...
The people who love me...
My family...
Freedom...
Fresh hot coffee/tea first thing in the morning...
Weekends when I can ...
Journaling - your thoughts?
Journals have all kinds of different purposes. I have about a dozen journals so I guess I qualify as a person who uses journals in different ways.
I use journals for:
- colour swatching and note taking.
- illustrating while on trips
- experimenting with mixed media
- experimenting with watercolours
- doodling
- note taking, list making, and other blog related purposes
Do you keep a journal? How do you use yours? Is it a thematic journal such as the gratitude journal or is your journal more experimental? Do you journal before you begin a work of art on canvas?
I offer a workshop to get you started with your own journals. Unfortunately, at this time, I am not offering any online classes. You can find information here about the workshop.
