My Creative Journaling Journey and Behind-the-Scenes

My "journal math"—the chaotic process of matching the right notebook paper to the right pen—is a daily struggle I’m finally embracing. This space is where I dump the bits of my creative process that don’t fit into a standard workshop: the failed spreads, the collage experiments, and the quiet realizations that happen when I’m just tidying my desk. If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by a fresh, blank notebook, know that it is okay to mess it up.

I call this the miscellaneous drawer of my creative life. It is where I share the behind-the-scenes reality that doesn’t always make it into my structured workshops. From navigating the bittersweet task of scrapbooking 25 years of memories to realizing that digital journaling simply doesn't offer the same tactile release as putting pen to paper, these are the moments that make my practice authentic.

Why I Don't Believe in 'Perfect'

I see so many people save their best stickers and fancy pens for a 'special occasion.' I am here to tell you that the special occasion is today. Your supplies will only rot in storage if you keep waiting for the perfect layout. My studio wall is a constantly evolving collage of inspiration—not because it’s curated, but because it’s a living record of things that resonate with me, from old tickets to random doodles.

Finding Calm in the Chaos

Whether you are documenting a trip to the mountains or just processing a bad day, this is about finding clarity, not making gallery-ready art. I’ve found that my journaling clubs work because we are all just trying to figure out how to manage our thoughts. We create, we share, and we help each other process emotions through art. If you are looking to find some quiet in your own head, or if you also have 87 tabs open in your brain, you are in the right place.