Creative Boost

I have been sharing a lot of the different strategies that I use to keep myself going on my life journey over the last few weeks. I have shared about playing music, mindfulness, finding balance, and surrounding myself with people I find to be positive and loving. One of the strategies I have been using for the last year or so I haven't shared yet and the other night as I sat working on some new pages in my Smash Journal I realized I haven't shared much if anything about this side of my self care routines. I have shared with you about using a traditional journal to sit and write out whatever is on my mind with no boundaries or judgment of what comes out of the pen onto the page. I however am always attracted to more then just pen and paper, the creative side of me must show with color. It is a piece of who I am. So I started a Smash Journal. For those of you who may have questions on what a smash journal or art journal is, it's very simple. I journal and write while using a creative approach with color, shapes, form, space, texture, and pattern. I spill out not only my emotions in writing but also in the colors, patterns, and design of what I do surrounding the writing. No matter what you do, you can't be wrong in a smash journal because its an expression of yourself. 

I started this smash journal last March when I was struggling deeply with depressive thoughts, new found anxiety and panic attacks, and was struggling to eat and sleep in a healthy way. I found this to be the place I turned when things got really bad. I needed a space to express myself without judgment or the opinions of anyone else. When I first started it I wasn't sure where it was going to go or how it was all going to work out. I have always been a person full of color and creative thinking but this was new, I was meshing everything I had learned in art and creating over the years with everything I was experiencing emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Let me tell you when those things all finally mesh into one thing it has pretty awesome results. I share things from fears, goals, hopes, bucket lists, inspiration, just because statements, faith, and excitement all with in these pages of a 5x8 burlap journal I picked up at walmart one day.  I use stickers, markers, glue, washi tape, paper, and any recycled object I find fit to splash across the pages.

The beginning of this week I was really struggling. I have been having recurring nightmares of past events in my life that largely contribute to my anxiety and depression since I return back to college nearly 5 weeks ago. It has been a non-stop process over the last 5 weeks. Every night having at least one occurrence of a night mare and than struggling to sleep because of the nightmares. It is a big cycle really. The worst part of all of it was when I woke up in a panicked state I wouldn't remember what the dream was about. I was beyond frustrated beginning this week. I had barely slept and I was honestly getting a bit grouchy (okay maybe a lot). Finally on Sunday night after dinner I decided I was going to lay down and try to go to sleep. My lights were out by 8:30 and I was passed out by 9:30. It was great, I was finally getting sleep I needed, until of course the dream reappeared. Now you might question why I am telling you all of this. Well its rather simple why I am sharing this in this post. On Monday I decided to Smash Journal everything I was feeling about the nightmares, every little piece of what I could remember when I woke up and putting my full self into expressing each emotion fully in the best way I knew how at that point. Being creative and using color. That night I woke up from the nightmare and I remembered. While yesterday was difficult for me and at times I battled through many negative emotions I also have had positive outcomes already from unpacking this new information in my journey. I feel more confident and capable. The voice in my head telling me 'I can't' has become a lot quieter and less noticeable. Creativity and expression have an amazing power whether through art, music, writing, fashion, you name it, it could be anything. I am so grateful for my ability to express freely through color and design on a page. Below you will see 3 pictures I have taken. The first one is just the cover of my Smash book which I have decided to entitle "Happiness Journey" purely because that is truly what it is, a journey of happiness, hope and learning.  The second picture is one of my favorite pages that I created a long while ago now. This page has quotes and inspirational words on it that I love to turn to and read in the moments I am down. Lastly the third picture, this is two pages I completed last night. One of them asking why I am unique and the other simply filled with words of faith. There are many other pages and perhaps over time I will share more pages with you. Find your creative side whatever that may be and allow yourself space to create and express yourself fully in whatever way you choose. 

Cover of my Smash Journal 

One of my favorite pages. The inspirational words page and favorite quotes. 

Most recent page but it is quickly becoming one of my favorite pages.