How Putting Your Life in a Notebook Changes Everything
Tell Your Story with Creative Journaling
Hi friends—I’m super beat this week. These seasonal transitions take a toll on my overlapping headache conditions—and I haven’t seen the sun in a week. I am so ready for blue skies and brighter days.
Today, I wanted to chat with you about the broader world of creative journaling. I’m always talking about Daily Pages, because that’s how I’m doing and sharing my creative journals right now. But, you don’t need to be creating a page every single day to have a thriving creative journaling practice. And, you can start with the stuff you’ve already got on hand.
This isn’t an expensive hobby with a bunch of essential tools. This is just a simple way for you to collect your stories and the little bits of life around you. If you’re someone who has more than one color highlighter, but shudder at the thought of calling yourself “an artist”, this is the post for you.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this email:
Why creative journaling works (especially for “non-artists”)
Easy ways to start your own journal today
The magic of mixing words, scraps, and snapshots
Ready to build a creative journal that’s 100% yours? Let’s get into it.
Your Life, On the Page
Creative journaling isn’t about making something beautiful. It’s about a conversation between you and your notebook. It’s just about creating something honest.
Whether you use paint or post-it notes, every time you stick something into your book, you’re saying: this mattered enough to keep. That’s powerful. And it doesn’t require hours of free time, expensive supplies, or a fancy art degree.
Here’s what makes creative journaling so powerful:
It honors the little stuff. Coffee sleeves, receipts, a line from a podcast—you start to notice what’s worth remembering.
It makes space for you. Even 5 minutes with your journal can be a reset in the middle of chaos.
It tells the real story. Looking back, you’ll see patterns, growth, and reminders of how much you’ve lived.
💬 Your Turn: What’s one thing from this past week that you don’t want to forget?
How to Start Without Overthinking It
You don’t need a system. You need a notebook, some sticky tape, and five quiet minutes. Here are a few of my fav low-effort, high-impact ways to start a page:
Collage the day. Stick in what you’ve touched—wrappers, receipts, stickers, bits of packaging.
Write three things. What’s on your mind? What made you laugh? What are you tired of? Put it down and decorate it.
Use what’s in arm’s reach. If it’s on your desk, it belongs in your journal.
Let it be simple. Some days it’s a rainbow explosion of scraps. Some days it’s a half-doodled grocery list. That’s the beauty of it.
💬 Your Turn: Grab a notebook. Open to the first page. Stick today’s date on it. That’s it. You’ve started.
The Magic of Mixing Words + Images
There’s no one way to build a creative journal page. Some days you’ll have a lot to say. Other days a sticker and a scribble will be enough.
Try these on for size:
Doodle your thoughts. You don’t have to be an artist—a stick figure, doodle arrows, fun shapes—it all totally counts.
Layer it up. Stamps, stickers, washi, collage—go full maximalist if it feels good.
Borrow words. Lyrics, overheard quotes, notes to yourself—all are fair game.
💬 Your Turn: What’s something you said (or heard) this week that stuck with you?
Your Creative Journey
Creative journaling gives you a personal record of how you’re growing, creating, coping, thriving—living. It’s your voice, your story, your notebook.
And now is a great time to start. The middle of the year is sneaky-powerful: you know what the season feels like, and there’s still so much story left to tell.
🎥 Want to see what this looks like in action?
Check out the Flipthrough Archive for past notebooks (featuring my earliest pages) and the Daily Pages Archive to see recent spreads and behind-the-scenes notes.
Weekly Resource List:
The Basic Guide to Daily Pages (7-minute read): Everything you need to get started with Daily Pages.
What is Creative Journaling (6-minute read): A few thoughts on the creative journaling process.
Daily Pages Flipthroughs – A collection of all my recent Daily Pages flipthrough videos (all my older notebooks).
Currently List Printable – A perfect prompt to drop into your new notebook
Sponsored by: Find Your Voice Summer Camp
If this post resonates with you, I’d love to invite you to Find Your Voice Summer Camp—a cozy, six-week creative journaling course I’m hosting this July and August.
You can participate for free, or upgrade for a deeper experience and more interaction. It’s designed to help you tell your story, even if you’re busy, stuck, or brand new to creative journaling.
This version is special. It’s the first time I’ve built the course (and I’ve been teaching this one since 2012) specifically around creative journaling—with audio lessons, hands-on projects, and flexible vibes that work even if you’ve only got 10 minutes a week.
More info here: ⛺ Summer Camp Signup
Here’s what we covered today:
Why creative journaling helps you slow down and pay attention
How to start with zero pressure
The joy of words, scraps, and real-life moments
Action step: Open a notebook, write today’s date, and add one thing from your day
Talk to you next week!
xoxo,
Kristin
P.S. If you’re enjoying these newsletters, please consider sharing this edition with a friend who might need a little creative boost today.
P.P.S.—We’re having a creative team call over at the Awesome Ladies Project, my feminist scrapbooking community. Come check out the call and submit your application.
Ive always thought of doing this, but then think, my notebook would be full of daisies & tea bag wrappers. Every day.
I stuck the sticker from the museum entrance ticket in my travel journal I also used the bag tag stickers I love that it tells the date and the airports we flew to and from