Slow Journaling Revisited

5x8" Canson watercolor journal, PITT pen extra superfine nib

Slow journaling is one of my favorite ways to get thoughts to a page in an effective, imaginative & pretty way. Just draw wavy lines across your page horizontally or vertically. The waves should not be symmetrical or consistent in any way other than going all the way across. Then decide on your journaling topic and start at the top with title, date, perhaps the type of pen or ink. I usually do my slow journaling in all capital letters, because that works for my writing style. Each letter spans from the line above to the line below without touching. So if the wavy lines are far apart, the letters are tall and if the wavy lines go downhill, the letters might go at an angle. When you get near the end of a line, you can hyphenate the word, fit  whatever fits, or just keep writing on the next line. The idea is to write SLOWLY, choosing each and every word DELIBERATELY with forethought. This is THINKING JOURNALING.

At the soccer fields the other night, after forever of rain, the sunset was amazing. It was one of those sunsets you remember for a long time. The sidelines were goopy grass, so I stood holding the journal and wrote a page describing the sunset, documenting the colors, and finally how much I love that my daughters notice colors, shapes, patterns, sunsets.

Ideas for Slow Journaling

1. On vacation, do just 1-2 sentences per day. Give yourself a full day to develop those sentences! I slow journaled a week in Mexico in 2 pages.
2. When you find yourself waiting/bored with limited paper. It happens.
3. To describe something in detail, using adjectives galore.
4. To create art from just words.
5. To practice line drawing skills.
6. To savor the moment.
7. To focus your mind, much like drawing a mandala.

Comments

[Eden]

Tammy, thanks for the idea of keeping it slow!!! I would so want to rush this, but I'll give it a try and i may just write something that will surprise me!! Hahaha!! I find this type of journaling so beautiful, it is ART :D

[cheryl]

I love this idea.... you've inspired me! Thanks!!