You are an individual with purpose–which is why there isn’t one way this works.
Want to start a visual journal? Each person adapts their visual journaling practice to their own style and needs. In fact, how you journal visually is likely to morph over time.
With that said, if you are new to this, here are some basic rules for beginners.
5 Simple Steps to Start a Visual Journal
- Use a notebook you can keep with you all the time. For some people that is 8.5 x 11, for others it is the size of a passport or something in between. Try a few different things in cheap versions until you find what works for you. The magic of visual journaling is in what you capture. Having an easy-to-carry notebook helps you capture more.
- In the beginning, capture whatever interests you. Write down memories from the day, tasks to be completed tomorrow, mindmap a project, scribble that fragment of an idea you had, track a habit you want to add into your life… It doesn’t matter if it feels disjointed. Our thoughts are disjointed. Put them on paper so you can engage your eyes in processing them.
- Write most of your words in black ink and save color for headings, borders, drawings and callout boxes.
- Add color to your pages, even if you do it later when you are reviewing them.
- Give yourself permission to create bad drawings. This journal is just for you. Stop judging your skill. You just started. (Besides, this isn’t about art, it’s about thinking on paper.) Want ideas on how to add visuals if you aren’t an artist? Check out this post.
And that’s it! Do this for a few weeks and you’ll start to notice a few things:
- You become clearer on what you want (and what you don’t want).
- You get a better sense of where you are spending your resources of time and energy.
- You plan steps to get to where you most want to go.
- You start to feel more organized and in control of your life because you can “see” it.
Want to get ideas? Check out the blog.