Visual journaling 101: 5 tips to get started
What's the story
Visual journaling is a fun, creative way to boost focus and mindfulness. By fusing images, sketches, and words, one can express thoughts and emotions better. The practice not only helps organize ideas but also keeps one focused on daily tasks. Adding visual journaling to your routine can be an easy, effective way to enhance mental clarity and productivity. Here are five habits that'll help you get started with visual journaling.
#!
Start with morning pages
Start your day by spending ten minutes writing morning pages in your journal. Use this time to sketch or doodle whatever comes to your head without any judgment or particular goal. This habit helps declutter your mind, letting you begin the day with a focused mindset. It promotes free expression, and paves the way for a productive day ahead.
#2
Set daily intentions visually
Every morning, visually map out what your intentions for the day are with symbols or simple doodles along with short notes. This practice strengthens what you want to achieve and places these tasks at the top of your mind during the day. By converting intentions into visuals, you create a physical reminder that bolsters focus on tasks at hand.
#3
Reflect through evening sketches
Conclude your day by reflecting on experiences through evening sketches in your journal. Spend around 10 minutes drawing scenes or moments that stood out during the day. This reflection process aids in processing emotions and events, while reinforcing lessons learnt, ultimately contributing to improved focus over time.
#4
Use color coding for emotions
Incorporate color coding into your visual journal as a way of tracking emotions throughout the week. Assign different colors to various feelings such as happiness, stress, or calmness, then use these colors when illustrating daily entries. This technique gives insight into emotional patterns, which can influence focus levels positively when addressed appropriately.
#5
Create weekly vision boards
At the end of every week, spend some time creating a vision board in your journal with magazine cutouts or printed images. These should signify upcoming goals or ambitions for next week's tasks. This visualization acts as motivation, while keeping long-term goals in check with daily actions. It improves overall focus towards accomplishing them efficiently.