Junk Journalling 101

Parents and friends like to ask me this question, "So what do you do with all the artwork that you and your kids make?" These are 3 things I do with them:

1. Take photos of the artwork and then throw them away

2. Keep the really precious ones

3. Turn them into something else

Decluttering is a never-ending process in my home and I keep my 'turn the artwork into something else' pile in a box. Anything that doesn't fit into that box, goes into the trash bin/recycling bin. But I've recently discovered that not all kinds of paper can be recycled, especially paper that have been doodled on with crayons!

Then I saw other creatives on social media extending the lifespan of those scrap pieces of paper, artworks, packaging, magazine paper, wrapping paper, etc. - making them into journals and since they are made out of trash, they are called "JUNK JOURNALS". I love the idea because it means I don't need to buy new books anymore to journal. And since it's made out of junk, it might be easier to let them go when it's time to declutter.

Blank Page Anxiety

Perhaps journalling is something you've always wanted to do but you have been procrastinating for a long time because whenever you look at the blank page, you don't know what to write or draw. You've also already bought all the expensive fancy materials and equipment but there is so much fear of making mistakes that you can't bring yourself to even make a mark on the page.

Then put aside that perfect looking journal, and create a junk journal. There is no pressure and there are no expectations to create something perfect. You are free to create: write or draw anything that comes to your mind.

Starting Your Junk Journal

So far I've made 5 junk journals: 2 for myself and 3 for my kids. Here are some ways to start a JUNK JOURNAL of your own!

1. Gather about 7 to 10 pieces of paper. I recommend starting a small journal first so there is less stress to fill it up.

2. Sew the pages together with a simple stitch. You can also staple them together.

3. To get motivated, start designing your cover page and make your junk journal uniquely yours

4. Here are some journal prompts and ideas to inspire your journalling journey. From top left to bottom right:

a) Write song lyrics that you've listened to.

b) Use markers to write daily reminders. c) Write interesting quotes from books.

d) Draw a mirror reflection of the other side of the artwork.

e) Use colour pencils to colour in the page.

f) Make a sticker collage of a place that you visited. My kids and I brought our junk journals along to Cameron Highlands and did a simple entry there.

g) Cut out a heart (or other interesting shapes) from a page.

h) Research on one thing you've always been curious about and write it down. For me, I've taken a liking to drinking tea and wanted to find out the optimum amount of water and time to soak the tea leaves.

i) Tear scrap paper (try not to use the scissors) and paste them to create a collage.

5. Take your time to journal with creative freedom. Although it was just a few pages, I took about 3 months to complete it because I didn't want to rush through. Now I just started on my second junk journal and have only done the cover page and 1 entry so far but it's okay, it is a not a race to finish fast but an outlet to express myself.

Too much junk paper lying around in your home? How about make some junk journals for your friends or your children as well and get started on journalling together!

Looking and Listening Closely

The first"ground rule" or "how can I learn best" pointer during my art classes, is to "LOOK AND LISTEN CLOSELY", through a picture of big eyes and big ears. This, I feel is easier for children to understand what is paying attention is all about because I don't just want them to look and listen to me but also to stories, artworks, and to their fellow artist friends during show-and-tell.

According to the Fred Rogers Institute, one of the Fundamentals of Learning and Growing, is "The Capacity to Look and Listen Closely". Here's an excerpt from the article,

The capacity to look and listen carefully is the ability to intentionally observe and learn from the world around a person. Listening carefully refers to a person’s active listening and attentiveness. Looking carefully refers to a person’s process of stepping back to observe and gather information. With the capacity to look and listen carefully, a person can begin to intentionally communicate with others without judgment. 

Slowing down to appreciate and understand what is in each moment is a vital part of the growing and learning process, and this applies to everyone, not just children.

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Slow Looking

I believe that "Slow Looking" is a wonderful creative exercise or training we can engage in throughout our daily life. It involves slowing down to look and listen carefully. Sounds simple but yet most of us are not doing it. Perhaps we just need a few steps or prompts to get us started on this journey. Here are some simple steps suggested by Project Zero:

1. Select your subject for slow looking. How about something in your environment, an artwork or a person?

2. Observe your subject. Look closely at the subject for at least five minutes and note down as many features as you can. Everything you see and hear.

3. Record your “wonders”. Write a list of questions or “wonders” that you have.

4. Consider your subject within a bigger system. Think of a bigger system connected to the subject.

5. Visualise the system. Sketch a diagram that shows the different parts of the system and how they might interact.

6. Reflect. Either individually or with a group. Are there any new insights?

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Make It Swing, Make It Ring!

For Step 1, I've the perfect creative exercise here for you, taken from my book "Slow Looking at Birds, that you can try on your own, with friends or as a family.

USING OUR KINAESTHETIC AND AUDITORY SENSES; RESPONDING TO SOUND AND MOVEMENT.

Observe: Look at the picture of the bird. Then visit the website https://ebird.org/species/magrob/SG and click the icon “LISTEN” to listen to the audio recordings of the “Oriental Magpie-Robin”.

Visualise: As you listen, draw to the rhythm and melody of its call.

Reflect: Listen closely to bird sounds in your daily walks and reflect on how they are different. Look and listen out for the "Oriental Magpie-Robin!

Happy Creating! And for more creative fun exercises, you can order my book "Slow Looking At Birds: 12 Creative Exercises Inspired By Birds in Singapore".

Why is Creativity Important?

Last year I came across an awesome resource from the UK called the “January Challenge 2024” where 31 creative prompts would be given over 31 days and attended a zoom webinar explaining what the resource is all about. Below is a summary of my key takeaways on “Why is Creativity Important?”

• It helps with Emotional Regulation. Engaging in creative activities is a form of self-care and provides opportunity for self-expression. There is also a sense of joy and fun that comes from the focused time creating.

• It provides Intellectual Stimulation. Creative exercises provide challenges to think differently and come up with new ideas. There is also a sense of achievement.

• It creates Community. When we share activities, engage in the process with one another, we create connection. Such connections encourage and motivates us further.

It’s not too late to sign up for the challenge as we are just one week into January. You can also just use the creative prompts at your own pace!

Emotional Regulation

If you've a school-going kid, transitioning to the new school year is never easy, especially for formal schooling. There is so much focus needed, so many rules to follow and everyday the teachers are ‘scolding’ someone in class. I’ve one child going to Primary 1 this year, one child going to a new class in Primary 5 and my eldest going to Secondary 2 with new responsibilities as a CCA leader. We are taking things slow and providing them a lot of space to rest and play after school.

Here is one simple low-prep mess free doodling activity that your child can engage in after school. All you need is a piece of A4 paper and markers. Doodling helps to reduce anxiety, release stress, improve memory and focus. And most importantly, it provides the opportunity to talk about your child’s emotions.

Download Free Activity Here

Happy Creating in the new year and the next time, and to be kept updated on articles, you can subscribe to our newsletter! Simply scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up.