Imagine if you will, a crowded waiting room filled with patients waiting to see a doctor for what ails them. But these are no ordinary patients. The dragon is hunched over in pain due to a bad back, the mermaid’s tail is looking a bit stiff and swollen due to arthritis from all of those years swimming in the deep cold waters, and the Phoenix, wings limp, who frankly has lost count of how many times she has burned it all down and started over.

The scene has been set, your mission is to create a journal entry documenting the conversation between these weary mythical creatures. What are you all discussing? Who is complaining the most? Which one gives the worst unsolicited advice? Add some simple silhouette sketches of your fellow patients, make them super simple, cave painting style. Or go all out, add shading and detail, give one of your characters an appointment card.

Start with a pencil sketch and go over it with pen/marker/fineliner, etc or be bold and dive right in with non erasable writing utensils right from the start. My favorites are the Zebra M-301 mechanical pencils with 5mm lead, I’ve had mine for about 13 years now and they’re still going strong. And basic af Bic Crystal pens, like the super cheap ones that were pretty much our only option back in high school lol. At least in my days. I have the super smooth and ultra smooth I think? One pack was a set of colored pens so they give a pop of color. They glide like buttuh. Also, 10/10 do NOT recommend the bullet journal from Pen + Gear from Walmart. The paper is so thin you can see regular pen ghosting through. I usually like their merch but this one is a hard pass but I’m still going to use it.

When I first started journaling, I would get blocks and try to find prompts to spark some creativity but found most to be the generic, “what three things are you most grateful for?” That may be fine for some and if that works for you, that’s awesome! But my brain just does not get with the program. Anything creative? I am down! Now you may be thinking, are you crazy? I can’t draw a mermaid! Have no fear, I’m going to let you in on a little secret, it’s YOUR journal, you can make scribbles, you can leave it pristine, you can add stickers, you can even trace images. Yeah, I said it, trace images. As long as you’re not trying to sell those images or if you really want to be safe, use sites like unsplash, pexels or pixabay and use royalty free images.

I’ll let you in on another secret, I didn’t learn how to draw until I was in my late 30s, or maybe early 40s, I wasn’t young lol. Yes, some people have natural born talents but, just like any other skill, like typing for instance, drawing can be learned. If you’re not into introspective journaling, I will also have some posts on how to journal focusing outward. The main goal is to spend even ten minutes doing something to occupy your mind so you have a short reprieve from the day to day BS that we deal with. You may be surprised how cathartic it can be. It never hurts to try!

Until next time Bedbugs, stay creative and motivated!

Deanna