The Basic Guide to Daily Pages

Plus tips on notebooks, habit-building, encouragement and more!

What Are Daily Pages?

Daily Pages are a creative habit designed to fit seamlessly into your life. The idea is simple: take a small notebook and create on a double-page spread each day. This could mean writing, collaging, doodling, or using up old stickers—whatever feels right to you in the moment. The goal is to spend a few minutes each day connecting with your creativity. There are no rules, and there is no “right” way to do it.

rukristin's Daily Pages

Daily Pages are a habit I started back in the summer of 2018 when I wanted to incorporate more creative time into my everyday routine. My job is literally to be a creative human, and yet, I was only getting to my art desk a couple of times a week. And even then, when I did get to my desk, I felt rusty, overwhelmed, and lost — as if I didn’t even know how to access my own creativity anymore. I needed something to help me get back into the swing of things, and more importantly, I needed something that fit into my everyday life.

This wasn't about starting some flashy, new project or completing a task. This was an honest attempt to infuse more creativity into my daily life. To make my desire tangible, I came up with a very simple practice: taking a small notebook and working on a double-page spread each day. The next day, I’d move on to the following pages, and so on until I finished the book.

The habit itself takes only a few minutes. When I started out, I would spend ten to fifteen minutes working on one spread in my notebook. Sometimes it was two minutes, sometimes closer to twenty. The exact time spent doesn’t matter—what’s important is prioritizing creating, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day. During COVID, my routine shifted (as did everyone else’s) and I started creating my pages live on video at Noon ET each day — which has been my practice for the last 5+ years now. It’s what works for my life, which is the most important part of any creative routine.

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Daily Pages have helped me try new techniques, use up supplies that would have otherwise sat untouched, and complete dozens of notebooks. This practice has brought creativity into my life in a sustainable way, and it can do the same for you.

How Daily Pages Can Transform Your Creativity

• Cut Down on Decision Fatigue: One of the most valuable benefits of Daily Pages is cutting down on decision fatigue. Instead of facing an overwhelming blank page and needing to make major creative decisions, you get a manageable space to work with every day.

• Develop Your Personal Style: This project will help you develop your own creative style. As you experiment with different supplies and techniques, you’ll start to notice what you’re drawn to and what works for you.

• Build Creative Muscles: Just like physical exercise strengthens your muscles, creative practice strengthens your creative abilities. Daily Pages help you foster a relationship with your creativity, making it easier to access in all areas of your life.

• Use the Supplies You Have: This project is also great for using up supplies you already have on hand. The pages are a place to practice, play, and use materials that might have otherwise been forgotten.

Getting Prepared: Supplies

Getting started with Daily Pages doesn’t require a lot of fancy supplies. Here are the basics that will help you dive in without overcomplicating things:

Supplies

• Notebook: Any notebook will do. It can be something you already have at home or one that you pick up at the store. Personally, I use a passport-sized traveler’s notebook (my favorite is the Field Notes brand), but any small notebook that feels approachable to you is perfect.

• Pen or Pencil: A simple pen or pencil is all you need to get started. You can use whatever writing tool you have on hand.

• Scissors and Adhesive: If you want to add some paper, color, texture, or collage elements, have a pair of scissors and adhesive handy (I love tape runners/double sided tape—but glue sticks work great).

• Pretty Paper or Ephemera: Collect some paper bits that make you happy—this could be patterned papers, magazine cutouts, stickers, receipts, or old ticket stubs. Use up whatever you’ve got lying around.

• Your Favorite Creative Supplies (Optional): If you’ve got other creative supplies lying around — stickers, washi tape, paints, etc. — grab those too! Daily Pages is a place for you to play around with whatever you’re into right now. It’s totally optional, but it can be a fun way to make your pages more you.

Remember, you don’t need anything fancy or expensive. The best supplies are the ones you already have and feel comfortable using. The goal is to make creativity easy and accessible, not stressful.

Getting Started: Step by Step

Step One: Find a Notebook

You can use any small notebook you have at home—a new one, an old one, or even one you make yourself. I use a passport-sized traveler's notebook (like the one above), it’s 3.5”x5.5”, but anything will work. Pick something that feels approachable. I’ve found that smaller and shorter notebooks work better.

Step Two: Gather Supplies

Gather some creative supplies that you like to use—scissors, adhesive, pretty paper things. It’s okay if you don’t have a lot of supplies. This project is about making it work with what you already have.

Step Three: Open Your Notebook and Start

Open up your notebook and put something down on the first page. This is your intro page. I like to start with the date, as it helps me keep track of when I began. Then, flip to the first double-page spread and start creating. It could be as simple as putting down a sticker or writing a single word. The key is just to begin.

Step Four: Make It a Routine

Repeat this process each day (or as often as fits into your life). For me, I do Daily Pages every weekday and sometimes on weekends. It’s about making creativity a part of your life in a way that works for you.

Tips for Success

• Don’t Worry About Making It Look Good: This project is about forming a creative habit, not about making something perfect. If you put in the practice, you’re doing it right.

• Missed a Day? No Big Deal: Missing a day is okay. This isn’t the “every single day” project. It’s about spending time with yourself to connect with your creativity.

• Try Something New: This notebook is a safe space to experiment with new techniques and supplies. There are no mistakes here, only opportunities to play.

• Don’t Overthink It: There’s always tomorrow. You’re not trying to make a cohesive scrapbook. This is just a space for you to spend a few minutes each day being creative.

Daily Pages is a simple practice that can have a profound impact on your creative life. It’s not about perfection or making something beautiful every day—it’s about showing up, spending time with your creativity, and making it a priority in your life. Trust me, you’re already incredibly capable. This practice will help you enjoy that creative part of yourself even more clearly.

Remember: Your story matters. Let’s start capturing it, one page at a time.

xoxo,

K

PS—Want to learn more? Join me for Daily Pages 101 — a free mini-course for you to dive right into the Daily Pages practice.