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ArtHeart

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Viewing 7 posts - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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  • January 24, 2020 at 9:36 am #334878
    ArtHeart
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    Hello Anita, a better term to search for these journals is “mixed media journals.”

    So the Ugly Book contained all of my negative or unpleasant emotions and events. Such as intense grief and anger. For example my daughter had to go into a woman’s shelter with a 10 mth old baby to get away from her narcissistic partner who was the father of the baby and I helped her through this. So that is one example of my intense anger and grief that I journaled about in the Ugly Book. Using the ugly book was my way of being able to compartmentalize this event from the other art related pleasure or minor annoyances of my daily life from my daily art journals. Because I moved this summer across country I was downsizing all of my belongings and the ugly book had to be part of letting go of things In that process of downsizing my belongings. However I did have a hard time letting it go but instead of keeping the book I simply removed some of the pages I just could not let go of.

    Interesting you were able to throw away your photos. I know how hard it is to feel like you have to smile to protect others from your sadness. But there were times for me when smiling and being with others who made me feel better was healing and a sort of stepping stone into more happy times. I also feel great loss from the dreams and hopes of my youth which never came to be.

    Two days ago I learned that my son with disabilities most likely has testicular cancer. So I think I will name this new journal Ugly Book #2 while continuing with my daily art journals for my continued growth on this journey called life.

    Anita is has been a pleasure being here and talking with you. I have new resources and inspiration to help me with my recovery from depression. I will carry on and find my new therapist ASAP, do some mindful art journaling from that website, read some articles on this site and some new books on mindful CBT while practising  my meditation and enjoy the simple things in life as much as possible.  Hugs and thanks again for your time and thoughts but I won’t return to this forum at this time.

    January 24, 2020 at 12:52 am #334814
    ArtHeart
    Participant

    I had an art journal that I called, “The Ugly Book” in which I journaled about my grief and anger of past events before my losses of the last few years.  Because I had to downsize considerably to afford the move across country, I ripped out the pages that I was compelled to hang on to and let the rest go in the garbage. Perhaps I should start another one of these journals. I found that some of the more intense expressions interfered with my pleasure when combined into my other journals.

    • This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by ArtHeart.
    January 23, 2020 at 6:45 pm #334716
    ArtHeart
    Participant

    Anita, you can buy multi-media journals in most craft supply or art supply stores. Multi-media means the paper can withstand multiple mediums such as water paints etc. Not just pencil or pen like a sketch book. Yes, you would leave the journal open to dry or use a hair dryer if you want to continue on another page without waiting. You can also put wax paper between the pages. I find it most enjoyable to create a colourful page or background then write on it when it dries.

    I will try to find and listen to Mark’s guided meditations. I just found a new therapist in my area but my health insurance won’t cover her so am now looking for a new one. I am only covered for a clinical psychologist. Sigh….it’s such a big job to find a new one.

    January 23, 2020 at 10:30 am #334656
    ArtHeart
    Participant

    Peter, I never thought that trying to find my inspiration again could be an inspiration. Thank you for that inspiration!

    Anita, when I first started my art journals it was definitely my favourite mode of self care and I was primarily playing with and trying different art supplies mostly by drawing and adding colour. It was not until a few years after using these journals that I started to write in them and ended up doing more writing as a form of self expression than focusing on art. As time went on I discovered that art journaling was something others did too and watched you tube videos on art journaling and began to experience the fun of mixed media. So now most of my journals are made with paper for using watercolour, acrylic or other paint, markers, inks and collage.

    I did do brief entries in my new journal when visiting my friends. I enjoyed visiting my friends! I think you are right about a routine being helpful too. I have been working on my sleep routine as well. It is a great deal if work trying to get better from an episode of depression. It’s almost like having a broken body like a hip for example where you have to do physiotherapy to get better even though you may not want to or feel like it.

    I briefly visited the site you referred to and it is my cup of tea! I will spend some time doing some activities from that site. I also found in the past that one of the most helpful practices for me was mindful meditation and I went to vipassana meditation sittings every week and feel that at this time it would be beneficial to me to find a group to sit with again.

    Thanks for your thoughts.

     

    • This reply was modified 4 years, 10 months ago by ArtHeart.
    January 19, 2020 at 5:38 pm #334255
    ArtHeart
    Participant

    I will being going to the city for a few days to visit friends. I’m trying to get out more to socialize but find that quite draining as well. I’m looking forward to this trip though and will take my journal and pencil case of art supplies. I have always carried one with me and will do even a quick entry everyday at bedtime while away. Talk soon.

    January 19, 2020 at 3:45 pm #334243
    ArtHeart
    Participant

    I did it, Anita. I have been making art journals for many years and this is the longest I have ever gone without creating anything in a journal. Nine months.  I usually write in my art journal but because I’m not inspired I just grabbed some supplies without much thought. Grabbed a new art journal book and sat in my comfy spot on the couch with a lap desk.

    I did not think about what to do I just started making and playing on the pages. I may do more on these pages or write on them or just leave them. I will do this again each day. It was an hour of immersion which was good to accomplish even though the fun was not like I want it to be! Messy hands are a sign of accomplishment.

    Not sure if I can upload image

    January 18, 2020 at 5:50 pm #334169
    ArtHeart
    Participant

    Anita, thank you for this good idea!  I will do this and return to let you know how it’s going.

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