As we enter a new year, many of us are feeling the pressure to change or improve
something about ourselves. We are creating new goals, plans, and resolutions that will enhance
our lives throughout the year and for years to come. What better way is there to kick off 2024
than to begin a creative journal?
Creative journaling is a great way to delve into your imagination while exploring and
understanding your identity and life experiences. It incorporates words, images, colors, symbols,
poetry, doodles, and abstract designs to encourage comprehensive exploration of the self. A
creative journal is a place to express inspiration, joy, and excitement, as well as to process more
deep and sorrowful emotions. It provides a safe space to enhance personal growth and
development and allows you to exercise honesty and transparency without fear of outside
judgment.
It is important to note that a creative journal does not have to be organized in a
methodical, categorical, or rigid way. It can be helpful to order your journal sequentially and
document things as they happen. This will help you document your experiences as you live them.
Remember: life evolves organically and spontaneously; your journal should reflect this. As
you allow yourself to document your life freely and creatively, you may find that you feel less
stressed, more in tune with your thoughts and feelings, and more open to new ideas and
experiences.
In her creative journal program, Lucia Capacchione provides imaginative activities that help
you explore your own identity, your higher self, how you interact with yourself and others, where
you are in life and where you envision yourself. These exercises can help you express your
feelings, understand your creative potential, enrich your relationship with yourself and others,
understand your life experiences, and find deeper meaning in your life. For those of you who are
skeptical or apprehensive about tapping into your artistic side, The Artist’s Way is a great
a resource to help rediscover your passion for creating.
Pablo Picasso once said, “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” This year,
rediscover your creative self and explore the power of creative journaling.
References
Baikie, K. A., Wilhelm, K. (2005). Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing.
Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 11(5), 338-346. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.11.5.338
Cameron, J. (1992). The artist’s way: A spiritual path to higher creativity. New York, New York,
TarcherPerigee.
Capacchione, L. (1979). The creative journal: The art of finding yourself. Swallow Press/Ohio
University Press.
Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Opening up: The healing power of expressing emotions (Rev. ed.).
Guilford Press.
Pennebaker, J. W. (1997). Writing about emotional experiences as a therapeutic
process. Psychological Science, 8(3), 162–166. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-
9280.1997.tb00403.x