Saturday, September 22, 2012

The Lil Journal Project - Inspiring Creativity One Day at a Time!


I'm always looking for new ways to get inspired and recently one of my favorite blogs "Lil Blue Boo" began a series on journaling called "The Lil Journal Project"

I used to keep a journal as a young girl, so I was immediately intrigued and was excited to get started after reading her post! 

Ashley provides daily prompts to help you along in your journaling adventure.

This is something I need desperately.

I've always wanted to start keeping a journal again and in the past have attempted to.
Mostly these journals were very boring and certainly not fun for anyone to read or look at!

The type of journal featured on Ashley's blog is a more creative type journal, in the sense that it not only contains writings and musings, but artistic things as well...such as drawing, painting, epherma, photos etc.

The thing I love most about it is...ANYTHING GOES!

It's your journal, your way.

I haven't been great about keeping up with every prompt every day, but I've done as much as I can and am enjoying it thoroughly!

It's such a great idea to get your creativity flowing especially if you're like me and you have trouble in that area.

Here is a peek inside my journal so far:


I am a very embarrassed to show you some of my artwork...for example...this big FAIL from yesterday's prompt:


I debated heavily with myself on whether to even include it in this post...but decided I should, since it is the point of the whole thing...just be yourself and let your creativity flow, even if it's not perfect (or even NEAR it! LOL!)

Here is another drawing "fail" that was from the prompt on day #7 "My Life in Cars":


I did this drawing on my iPad using an app called "Doodle Buddy".
I LOVE using that app and "pretending" I can draw! 

Obviously, I did not "complete" the "My Life in Cars" section yet...I've had WAY more than 3 cars in my 50+ years of life, but since it's such a struggle for me to draw...It might take me awhile to get to all of them. 

As you can see...I certainly am not very good at drawing or painting but as the first journal prompt and entry shows, I am imperfect and perfect at the same time...just as my journal is!


I need to let go of the idea of perfection...it is something that has held me back for years, especially when it comes to being creative.  

So many times I have begun a project just to be disillusioned because I feel like it's not good and no one will like it. 

I am my own worst critic! 

I know what everyone says about negativity and I have fought my whole life with it but it's always been part of me as I was raised with a father who demanded perfection of those around him. 

I never quite felt like I measured up to his standards but that's a post for a whole other blog!

(I just thought it might help to give a bit of the background on my history and why I'm so negative sometimes about my own creative abilities.)

In addition to that almost impossible standard...my Grandmother (my Father's Mother) was a very accomplished artist and I sometimes felt like I fell so short of her talents, even though I admired her and always hoped that I had inherited some of her artistic abilities.

She was mostly a painter and her favorite mediums were watercolor and oils.

Here are a few examples of her artwork:


I'm hoping by doing this journal, I will be more open to just "create" and not worry if it's wrong or right or if anyone will like it. 

I think it will help me a lot...it's great therapy!

If your like me and struggle to know where to start or what to journal about, then Ashley's "The Lil Journal Project" would be perfect for you to follow!

Check it out and join me on a new creative journey!


7 comments:

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Lisa, I think you did a fine job on your journaling projects so far. I too, in striving for perfection, missed out on alot of creative opportunities with my children and throughout life in general. I just have to let it go and enjoy the act of 'doing'. It is still hard and like you I am my own worst critic. Hang in there I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Barb (the blue glass)

janice smith said...

Hi, Lisa! I don't think your drawings are "fails" AT ALL! I think they're terrific and you're a great writer, too. I loved hearing a bit of what your thought process is...we all have obstacles to overcome and I think journaling is a great place to start doing just that. Yay for you, putting your work out there and sharing so candidly!

Karah @ thespacebetweenblog said...

Wow, good for you for following this passion ... and doing the journaling. I've always thought self expression, in so many different ways is so important!!

Shannon said...

For years I've been intrigued by art journaling but haven't managed to do it myself. I quit keeping a journal almost 30 years ago. Now it would be helpful to do an art journal to help me with my creativity. I would love an update on how you keep up with it and start to feel more confident about it later. I don't think you failed at all because you're doing the exercises! Keep up the good work! :)

Unknown said...

Hi Lisa,
I love the progress you have done so far. Your drawn cars look much better than mine so don't be too hard on yourself.

Keep up the good work, looking forward to checking in next week. :)

Nancy (the turner five)

Unknown said...

We loved reading your blog post! You are so cute! We are so glad we found you! Thanks for sharing! -The Six Sisters :)
Join us anytime at our Strut Your Stuff Saturday at sixsistersstuff.com

Det Blomstrar said...

Hi Lisa,
Found you through Pinterest, thanks for following me there btw.
I like your blog, really cute.
xx