Journaling

I've never been a diarist, though I've started many a journal over the years.  I just seem to lose interest as soon as the "hot" topic I wanted to write about has "cooled" down.  I do think keeping a journal is important, however.  Very therapeutic.  And for someone like me, whose brain seems to ricochet all over the place - constantly - it can help to focus and complete some important thoughts.

So I'm happy to report that for the past few months I've seriously gotten into journaling.  The reason?  I've discovered art journaling.  Through the Soul Restoration classes from the BRAVE GIRLS CLUB, which I've mentioned in earlier posts.

Somehow, for me, combining words with images and colors and designs makes more sense.  Because words are not enough for me and I'm not a great writer, using other visual tools helps me express the emotions and feelings I'm trying to explore and understand.  In this journal, all the entries are collages.  And while they may (or may not ;) look "beautiful", that's not the intent.  Take this spread, for example....

It's a serious subject, with feelings of guilt and regret (not a cheery subject).  The blue colors I chose symbolize the calm and peace I am seeking as I come to terms with this subject.  The images remind me of the specific people I'm referring to.  The flowers remind me of the anatomy of the inner ear.  The style of the title expresses the discord I feel inside.  Heavy, I know!  But it is very freeing to be able to express those things in non-words.

If you're interested, the subject is misophonia.   It's a new thing to me, and a revelation.  Because I definitely suffer from it, yet never had a clue about it!  I didn't realize it was a "condition" and it has impacted my life since my early teens.  The anger I have felt inside has always had no reason to be there, but rears its ugly head just the same.  Certain specific sounds made by certain specific people bring it on.  There is no "cure", but having an awareness of it is huge for me.  

And no one else ever had a clue that this was going on inside me.....  

So I'm wondering if this rings a bell for anyone else reading this?

Here's an enlargement of the definition:

Even a difficult subject is made palatable through this style of collage art journaling.  Thanks for letting me share this with you.  I'd love to hear about your journaling "journey".