You’ve spent the past twelve lessons exploring your storyteller self—figuring out how you like to create, what makes you want to pick up a pen (or stickers), and how to keep going when it’s messy or hard. That’s a big deal. Whether you filled every page in your Creative Trail Journal or just tucked a few sticky notes between the covers, you’ve still moved forward in your story.

So today, we’re going to talk about what happens after the workshop ends—how to keep your creativity alive without letting it turn into a chore.

What We’re Focusing On

• Celebrating how far you’ve come

• Seeing your creative work as a cycle, not a checklist

• Making a future plan that actually works for you

Celebrate How Far You’ve Come

Before you flip the page into “what’s next,” take a beat. You’ve shown up for yourself. You’ve taken time, space, and energy—precious resources—to create something that’s entirely yours. That deserves more than a mental “cool, done.”

I love making a little ritual at the end of a big creative chapter. Sometimes I’ll snap a photo of my finished notebook stack, or print a sticker for the spine. Sometimes I treat myself to a new roll of washi or a fancy coffee, because yes, even small victories deserve whipped cream.

Celebration isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. It’s a way of telling your brain: this mattered, let’s do more of it.

Campfire Reflection

How will you mark the end of this chapter in a way that feels good?

This Is a Cycle, Not a Checklist

You don’t “graduate” from telling your story. This isn’t a box you tick off—it’s a loop you keep walking. Think of it like your favorite trail: you might hike it in spring when the flowers are blooming, then again in fall when the leaves are fiery red. Same path, completely different experience.

Here’s how that can look in real life:

• Revisit a lesson: Open your Trail Journal to a random prompt and answer it again. See how your response has shifted.

• Print a fresh worksheet: Pick a page you loved and fill it out with where you are right now.

• Use it as a seasonal check-in: Each season, give yourself a little “storytelling refresh.”

• Listen while you do something else: Play the voice lessons while you’re painting, cooking, or commuting—sometimes the ideas land differently when your hands are busy.

The more often you cycle through these ideas, the more natural it feels to weave creativity into your everyday life.

Campfire Reflection

What part of this journey do you most want to revisit—and what do you hope to see differently next time?

Make a Plan That Works for You

You’ve spent the last six weeks figuring out what helps you create and what makes you stall. Now’s the time to use that knowledge to your advantage.

If you thrive on accountability, keep playing along with community prompts like:

• #Thursday3 (a selfie + three things about you right now)

• The Currently List (Mondays are my favorite time to reset this one)

• ALP Challenges in the community forum

If you need community, lean on the spaces that make you feel welcome. The Awesome Ladies Project is full of people who get it—share your pages, ask questions, or just check in and say hi.

If you love a routine, make it official:

• Add “story time” to your calendar like any other appointment

• Join Daily Pages Live (weekdays at Noon ET)

• Set up solo creative dates—yes, just you, your notebook, and maybe a pizza slice

Or mix and match. Maybe you need a little of each. Maybe it changes month to month. That’s okay—the only “right” plan is one that fits your life.

Campfire Reflection

What’s the smallest, easiest step you can take this week to keep your storytelling practice alive?

Creative Challenge: “Full Circle”

Make a page that captures this exact moment at the end of your journey

Here are a few jumping-off points:

• A “Before & After” list of how you felt at Lesson 1 vs. now

• Use one of your favorite prompts again—see what’s shifted

• Collage snippets from your pages into one spread

• Write a short letter to your future creative self

Remember: Whatever you do—keep it simple, low-pressure, and true to you. This is about noticing what works.

Wrapping It Up

You’ve built something here—a creative foundation, a rhythm, and a toolbox that’s all yours. You can revisit it anytime you need inspiration, a nudge, or a familiar trail to walk.

You’re already a storyteller. You get to keep telling your story your way. And the next time you pick up your pen, you’ll be doing it from a place of experience and confidence.

Join the Conversation

What’s one way you plan to keep your creative momentum going now that camp is over?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

You’ve built your box and it’s pretty awesome. It’s a good one. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and it’s 100% yours. But here’s the thing: the magic often lives just outside those edges. That’s where the surprises happen, where the “I didn’t know I could do that” moments pop up. Today, we’re going to peek over the edge of your box and see what’s out there.

We first learn the rules, so we can break the rules in whatever way makes most sense to us.

What We’re Focusing On

• Growth happens at the edges of what you already know

• You’ve earned the right to experiment

• Inspiration is everywhere, but you have to catch it

Growth Happens at the Edges

You don’t have to blow everything up or start from scratch. Sometimes growth is as simple as trying one new thing—a supply you’ve been curious about, a format you’ve never used, or even swapping your usual color palette for something unexpected.

A little while back, I decided to pull out my box of gilding flakes for a gel plate experiment. I had no idea if they’d stick, if they’d flake right off, or if it would just be a hot mess. But that’s the fun part—leaning into “let’s just see what happens.” Even if it had flopped completely, I would’ve learned something for next time.

Campfire Reflection

What’s something you’ve always been curious to try creatively, but haven’t yet?

You’ve Earned the Right to Experiment

You’ve done the work to know your voice and your go-tos. That means you have a solid foundation to play from—kind of like going on a field trip when you already know your way around the school.

This could be:

• Remixing supplies you’ve used a hundred times, but in a way you’ve never tried together.

• Bringing in a medium you’ve never worked with before—fabric, found objects, digital layers.

• Switching up your process: maybe you tell a story out loud into your phone before you ever write it down.

The point isn’t to “be different” for the sake of it—it’s to give yourself the chance to stretch in a way that feels exciting.

Campfire Reflection

What’s one low-stakes way you could experiment this week?

Inspiration is Everywhere

Inspiration is not a lightning bolt you wait for. It’s a moving target, and the more you practice noticing it, the more you’ll see it.

A few places I keep mine:

• A little Field Notes notebook in my bag for random ideas and overheard phrases.

• A Pinterest board for colors, textures, and patterns.

• GoodNotes notebook on my iPad

• A camera roll folder just for “this made me smile” photos.

• Voice notes when I’m too tired to write.

You don’t need all of these—just pick one and start adding to it. The next time you want to try something new, you’ll have a whole menu of sparks to pull from.

Campfire Reflection

Where do you already collect little sparks of inspiration without even thinking about it?

Creative Challenge: “Outside My Box”

Make one page or spread that combines three things you’ve never used together before. Play with it. See what happens.

You might:

• Use a color combo you’ve never tried

• Mix digital and analog elements in the same piece

• Add a new texture—fabric, stitching, foil, whatever you’ve got

Remember: Messy, half-done, and “I don’t know if I like this” all counts.

Wrapping It Up

You’re not starting from scratch—you’re starting from experience. Everything you’ve built so far is your launchpad. Step outside your comfort zone not to become someone else, but to expand who you already are.

Join the Conversation

What’s one small experiment you’re willing to try this week?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

You are a storyteller. You already have a creative voice and we’re just going to shine a light on the ways it shows up visually. All you need is your notebook, a little curiosity, and a willingness to see your own life in new ways.

What We’re Focusing On

• Visual storytelling is more than making something “look nice” — your choices say something.

• Your style is the sum of your decisions. The more you create, the clearer it gets.

• Design helps tell the story through color, shape, texture, tone, and emotion.

Visual storytelling is more than just “making it pretty.”

Your creative voice doesn’t stop at the words you write. Every single visual decision you make is part of the conversation your page is having with whoever experiences it—even if that’s just future you.

A bold, saturated color palette can hum with energy; muted tones can feel quiet or introspective. A cluster of overlapping elements can suggest movement or chaos, while generous blank space can give a story room to breathe and invite the reader to linger.

Even the way you angle a photo, or where you choose not to add anything, shapes the story’s tone. These aren’t “extras” you tack on at the end; they’re built into the way your story is told from the very first mark you make.

Campfire Reflection

What are three things you notice about your visual style right now? (colors, patterns, photo choices, handwriting, etc.)

Your style is revealed through repetition and play.

No one wakes up with a fully formed style. This is something you notice over time, the way you realize you’ve been wearing your favorite sweater on repeat without even thinking about it.

Each page you make adds another clue: maybe you’re drawn to soft neutrals, or maybe you gravitate toward high-contrast, loud-and-proud layouts. Some people love precise grids; others feel most at home when things are a little messy and organic.

You already have these preferences baked into how you create—even if you’ve never named them. The more you experiment and repeat, the clearer your style becomes. And yes, it will shift over time, which is proof that you’re alive, learning, and evolving as a storyteller.

Campfire Reflection

What do you want your stories to feel like when someone looks at the page?

Design = Decisions.

Every visual element you add (or leave out) has a purpose, whether you realize it or not. A handwritten title can feel personal and intimate; a blocky stamped title might feel bold and declarative. Soft torn edges can echo nostalgia; sharp, clean lines can signal precision and order.

When you start thinking of your design as a set of choices, each with a job to do, you give yourself more tools to work with. This isn’t about turning creativity into a checklist; it’s about recognizing how powerful your instincts already are. With intention, you can make the page feel the way the story feels in your head and that’s when visual storytelling really starts to click.

Campfire Reflection

How could you use design to echo the mood of a story you want to tell this week?

Creative Challenge: “Show Your Style”

Make a page or spread in your Creative Trail Journal that tells your story visually. You can include words if you want, but let design be the star.

You might include:

• Photos + Color: Skip the journaling and use images with a color palette that matches the mood.

• Layer It Up: Create a collage from scraps, shapes, or patterns you love.

• No-Words Remix: Revisit a past story and tell it again without text — only visuals.

Remember: Messy counts. Half-finished counts. This is about noticing your style, not perfecting it.

Wrapping It Up

Your style is how your stories look when you’re the one making all the choices. It’s allowed to change. It’s allowed to be a little all over the place. You’re already doing it, this lesson just helps you see it more clearly.

And remember: there’s no one right way, you’re already a storyteller, and you get to do this your way.

Join the Conversation

What’s one visual choice you’ve made lately that you really love?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

You don’t need to overhaul your creative practice. You don’t need to have a specific aesthetic. But you do have a storytelling style—and that style has a point of view. Today’s lesson is all about tuning into it.

What We’re Focusing On

• Design is how your story is organized

• Style is how it looks and feels

• Lens is how you see the story—and how you invite others to see it

Design: The Bones of the Page

Design is about structure—what goes where and why. Even if you don’t think of yourself as a “designer,” your notebook pages, photo layouts, and all the story choices you make have a structure. Maybe it’s a list, a cluster of images, a spread with a photo on one side and journaling on the other. That’s design. It helps your story breathe and gives the reader (even if that reader is just future-you) somewhere to land.

Design is the framework you’re building for your stories to live inside.

Campfire Reflection

Where do your eyes go first when you look at your pages?

Style: Your Story’s Signature Look

Style is the vibe. It’s your font choice, your color palette, the kind of photos you print, the margin doodles, the washi tape, the messiness or orderliness of it all. Your style tells the reader a lot about you before they even read the words.

And the good news? You don’t have to “pick one” and stick with it. Your style will evolve. You might even have multiple styles depending on the project or season. That’s normal. That’s good.

Campfire Reflection

What parts of your current style feel intentional? What feels accidental?

Lens: How You See the Story

The most powerful part of this equation is your lens. It’s the perspective you bring when deciding what story to tell, what to leave out, what moment to zoom in on. It’s the reason two people can witness the same thing and tell completely different stories about it.

Your lens is shaped by your identity, your values, your mood, your audience, your season of life. It’s always there. Becoming more aware of it helps you make stronger choices—and tell more honest stories.

You can experiment with this too. Try shifting your lens on purpose. What happens when you tell a story from your pet’s point of view? Or from a zoomed-out “big picture” lens instead of a daily moment? It’s a powerful tool.

Campfire Reflection

What lens are you using most often in your stories lately? What other ones could you try?

Creative Challenge: “Design Your Voice”

Create a page that plays with your storytelling style. This is your chance to intentionally notice and tweak how you design and present your stories.

You might include:

• Recreating an old layout or notebook spread with a totally different design

• Stripping it way back: use only one supply (pen, photo, paper, whatever)

• Going maximalist: use ALL the colors, fonts, textures, stickers

• Changing up your lens: tell the same story two ways

• Making a list: What do you think your style is? What does your notebook say?s

Remember: This isn’t about “fixing” your style. It’s about noticing and naming it—and maybe trying something new, just to see what happens.

Wrapping It Up

Every story you tell has a shape. It has a look. It has a voice. You’re already doing this—even if you’ve never thought of it as design. Even if your “style” is “whatever’s in reach.” Even if you’ve never said the word “lens” outside of a camera app.

You don’t have to force anything. But paying attention to these parts of your process can make your storytelling feel more yours. It’s about building self-awareness, not self-judgment.

You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to experiment. You’re allowed to make pages that look like you.

Join the Conversation

What’s one detail you’ve noticed about your design or style lately?

Or: What’s something you’re curious to try with your storytelling lens?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

What We’re Focusing On

• Every story has both a storyteller and a listener—even if they’re the same person

• Knowing your audience helps you tell stronger, more connected stories

• You should always be your first audience (and that voice matters)

Your Story Is a Conversation

Let’s start here: your stories aren’t just floating around out there in the void. Every time you document something—whether in writing, photos, collage, or a voice memo—you’re in conversation. Sometimes with yourself (either your current self, past self, or future self). Sometimes with friends or family. Sometimes with the random strangers on the internet who might see your stuff and feel less alone.

Even when no one else ever sees what you make, your creative work still has an audience—you. That internal audience? Totally valid. That absolutely counts; 100%.

Campfire Reflection

Who do you imagine reading or seeing your stories? How does that change how you tell them?

Audience Brings Clarity (Not Censorship)

A lot of people get tripped up here because they hear the word “audience” and automatically jump to the idea of “performing”. But we’re not talking about putting on a show. What we’re really on about is making intentional choices based on who you're talking to.

When I’m writing just for myself, I might go full chaos-mode—half-sentences, scribbles, terrrrrrrible spelling, inside jokes only I understand. But if I’m telling that same story to my best friend? I clean it up a little. If I’m making a scrapbook page to pass down? I might include more context. The story is still true. I’m just shaping it for the folks I want to communicate with.

Being aware of your audience doesn’t mean you have to water anything down. It means you’re choosing how you want your story to land—and with who.

Campfire Reflection

If you’re your own audience, what do you most want to hear right now?

You Come First

This part is non-negotiable: you should always be your first audience.

Your stories matter. Even if no one else reads them. Even if you’re the only one who ever sees the page.

And honestly? If you don’t enjoy the stories you’re telling, why would anyone else? It’s okay to make stuff that just makes you feel good. Or stuff that helps you work something out. Or stuff that’s purely silly. That’s not self-indulgent—it’s practice. It’s care. It’s how we build trust in our own voice; it’s how we figure out what our voice actually is.

There’s power in knowing that you’re putting on a performance, you’re just telling your stories in the way that makes most sense to you.

Campfire Reflection

What kinds of support (internal or external) actually help you keep going?

Creative Challenge: “Me & My Audience”

Let’s explore how your storytelling shifts depending on who you're talking to. There’s no wrong way to do this—half-done and messy still counts.

You might include:

• Make a split-page spread: one half for YOU as the audience, the other for someone else (partner, friend, future reader).

• List out 2–3 people you might be creating for (yourself, your community, a future reader). Jot down the kinds of stories you’d share with each.

• Choose one small story and write it twice—once for yourself, once for someone else. Notice what changes.

• Grab a photo or memory and collage around it using elements that feel “just for you” vs. “for public sharing.”

• Make a page titled: “What I Want to Hear Right Now.” Fill it with affirmations, reminders, or truths from your own voice.

Wrapping It Up

Your voice matters. Your audience is allowed to change. You’re allowed to keep stories just for yourself, and you’re allowed to share them boldly. There’s no one right way to do this—and no right person to do it for. You get to choose.

You’re already doing enough. You’re already a storyteller. You’re allowed to want what you want.

Join the Conversation

Who do you imagine as your audience right now? What feels different when you create just for yourself?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

What We’re Focusing On

• Your creative voice is shaped by what you take in

• Noticing your inputs gives you more power over your outputs

• You’re allowed to be inspired by anything

What You Take In Shapes What You Create

Let’s start with the basics: what you read, watch, scroll, and listen to1 all influence how you tell stories. And not just in some big, obvious way. Sometimes it’s as simple as picking up a tone, a cadence, a sense of humor, or the rhythm of a sentence that just feels like you now.

You don’t have to copy anything. You don’t even have to love everything you consume. But it’s helpful to start noticing what’s coming through—and why. Because the more conscious you are of your creative diet, the more clearly you can hear your voice underneath the noise.

Campfire Reflection:

What kinds of stories are you most drawn to right now—and what does that say about you?

Awareness = Creative Power

Here’s the fun part: you can track this. And you don’t need a spreadsheet to do it.

Try this—just for a few days—write down what you’re watching or reading, how it made you feel, and whether it sparked anything. You might notice patterns. You might realize, oh hey, every time I listen to that one podcast, I want to make something. Or every time I scroll for an hour, I feel kind of hollow.

This isn’t about judgment—it’s about clarity. And once you’ve got clarity, you can start curating your inputs. Not in a restrictive way, but in a “this fuels me” kind of way.

Campfire Reflection:

Where do you usually find creative inspiration—and where would you like to find more of it?

Inspiration Comes From Everywhere

Let’s bust this myth while we’re here: you do not need to only consume “serious” or “approved” art to be a Real Creative™. Inspiration is everywhere.

You might find it in a tweet, in the beat drop of a Dua Lipa song, in a throwaway line from a bad sitcom. You might find it in your grandma’s voicemail. The point is: when you start noticing what lights you up—no matter how random or “lowbrow”—you start feeding your creative voice with what actually matters to you.

That’s when input becomes fuel. Not noise.

Campfire Reflection

What’s one thing you’ve consumed recently that surprised you with how inspiring it was?

Creative Challenge: “What's In Your Brain Lately?”

Let’s turn your input into output. Pick one of the prompts below—or just follow the sparks.

• Make a collage of what’s been filling your head: headlines, quotes, color palettes, screenshots, lyrics, notes from friends

• Write a Currently List or media log for the week: What are you taking in? What’s sticking with you?

• Make a list of your top 5 favorite fictional characters and what they’ve taught you about yourself

• Create a spread that maps a story idea or memory inspired by something you watched, read, or heard

No wrong answers. No “right” format. This is just about noticing what’s already working inside you.

Wrapping It Up

You’re already soaking in stories—every single day. This lesson is your reminder that you get to choose how you use them. You’re already a storyteller. You don’t need to catch up. You just get to show up—and that’s enough.

Join the Conversation

What’s something you’ve read, watched, or listened to lately that totally got you?

Drop it in the comments—we’re all about sharing good inputs around here.

Read more

This is all about about aligning your storytelling practice with your real life, your real motivations, and your real goals.

What We’re Focusing On

• What you want from your stories, your process, and your finished work matters

• You’re allowed to define success in your own creative terms

• Knowing your internal + external motivators can make storytelling feel easier and more fun

What You Want Matters

Let’s start here: You don’t have to justify your creative work to anyone—not even your future self. You get to want things like joy, expression, beauty, memory-keeping, healing, fun, structure, or even just a quiet moment alone with your notebook.

Your voice doesn’t have to serve some “higher purpose” to be valuable. But if you do have a purpose or goal? Let’s name it. Because once you know what you want, it’s way easier to build a practice that supports that.

You are allowed to create just because it feels good. You are allowed to work toward a polished project. You are allowed to not finish anything. Your storytelling is for you—and it should work for you.

Campfire Reflection

What do you want your stories (and your creative time) to give back to you?

There’s More Than One Kind of “Success”

Some people feel successful when they finish a project. Others when they sit down and write three days in a row. For you, it might be playing with color, finding the perfect word, or showing up even when it’s hard.

So often we absorb outside definitions of success without ever stopping to ask, “What actually matters to me?”

Let’s shift that. What feels good? What helps you keep showing up? What are the tiny signs that you're moving in the right direction?

You’re not trying to “win” creativity. You’re just building something meaningful.

Campfire Reflection

What does creative success look like for you, right now?

Know What Helps You (and What Doesn’t)

Motivation is tricky. Some of us thrive with deadlines. Some of us run screaming from them. Some love group check-ins. Others prefer quietly doing their own thing.

External motivators—like classes, community, or public accountability—can help us show up. Internal motivators—like a personal goal, a specific project, or a theme—can help us stay grounded.

Neither one is better. The key is knowing your own mix.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck, it might not be a lack of creativity—it might just be a misaligned motivator.

Campfire Reflection

What kinds of support (internal or external) actually help you keep going?

Creative Challenge: “What Drives You”

Create a page reflecting on what motivates you. Use this to get honest and clear about what helps you stay in motion (or what gets in the way).

You might include:

• Make a list: “I make pages because…”

• Two-column journal: Internal vs. External Motivators

• Use stickers or images to represent your ideal creative environment

• Write about a time you wanted to show up vs. a time you forced yourself

• Create a page inspired by your version of success

Remember: Whatever you do—keep it simple, low-pressure, and true to you. This is about noticing what works.

Wrapping It Up

You don’t have to do this the way anyone else does it. Your reasons, your rhythm, your relationship to storytelling—it’s all valid. Getting clear on what drives you isn’t a homework assignment—it’s an invitation. One that leads to more ease, more joy, and more creative trust.

You’re already doing enough. You’re already a storyteller. You’re allowed to want what you want.

Join the Conversation

What’s something you realized about your motivations today?

Or: What’s one way you’re going to honor your creative drive this week?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

This is one of those lessons where you start noticing things you’ve already been doing. It’s not about inventing a new version of yourself. It’s about recognizing the storyteller you already are—and giving her a kickass name tag.

What We’re Focusing On

• You’re the one shaping the story—your perspective always matters.

• Your storyteller persona is layered, lived-in, and ever-changing.

• The more you understand it, the more confidently you’ll use it.

You’re always shaping the story.

Even when the story isn’t about you, you’re still shaping it. You’re the one choosing what to include, what to emphasize, what to leave out. You’re the one deciding what this moment means—and that right there? That’s your voice.

Your presence is what makes a story yours. That’s true whether you’re writing a long journal entry, scribbling a quick caption, or gluing down a scrap of paper in a rush before dinner.

You’re not a neutral narrator. And you don’t have to be.

Campfire Reflection

What’s one story you’ve told recently that felt like you—in the best way?

Your storyteller self is always growing.

There’s no finish line. You don’t “find” your voice once and then coast on that forever. Your storyteller persona is shaped by everything you’ve lived, everything you’ve noticed, everything you’ve made.

You could think of it like a ring stack: every story you tell adds a new layer. Some stories feel soft, some sharp, some playful, some raw. But they all count. They all belong. And together, they shape the way you show up creatively.

This is identity-building, not identity-trapping. You’re allowed to change. You’re allowed to evolve. You’re allowed to grow into your voice—one page at a time.

Campfire Reflection

What patterns or habits do you notice in the way you tell stories?

The more you see it, the more you can use it.

Storytelling gets easier when you have a sense of who’s doing the telling. You don’t need to pin yourself down or come up with a perfect definition—but you do get to notice what feels like yours.

This is where reflection comes in. Not the heavy kind. The “huh, interesting” kind. Like:

• Why did I focus on that part?

• Why do I always start with a photo?

• Why do I care so much about that detail?

That kind of noticing is how you start building trust with yourself. That’s what makes your voice feel stronger and clearer—and more like something you can use.

Campfire Reflection

If someone else read your stories, what kind of storyteller would they say you are?

Creative Challenge: “Map Your Storytelling Self”

Create a page that captures your storyteller persona. Think of it like a snapshot—not a full biography. Just a few things that feel true right now.

You might include:

• Write a list: Who am I as a storyteller right now? Include vibes, habits, feelings, truths.

• Make a mind map: Branch out from “Storyteller Me” with categories like “Strengths,” “Stuff I Avoid,” “Recurring Themes,” “Storytelling Tools.”

• Use metaphors: A stack of rings, a constellation, a layered collage, a pie chart of priorities—go visual if you’re into that.

• Three defining moments: List three events that shaped the stories you tend to tell, or how you tell them.

• Describe your vibe: 3–5 quick phrases you’d put in your creative social media bio: “Big on nostalgia,” “List-maker forever,” “Quiet but bold.”

Remember: Messy counts. Barely started counts. Not-sure-what-I’m-doing absolutely counts.

Wrapping It Up

You’re already doing this. You’re already shaping stories. This week is just about paying attention to that truth—and leaning into it a little more.

There’s no right way to have a storyteller persona. It’s not a job title. It’s not a quiz result. It’s just… you. Noticing how you show up, and trusting that it’s enough.

You don’t need to catch up. You don’t need to make it perfect. You get to do this your way.

Join the Conversation

If you had to describe yourself as a storyteller in one sentence—or one vibe—what would it be?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

You don’t need to have it all figured out. You don’t need to earn the right to tell your story. It’s yours. This is just a chance to explore it more deeply.

What We’re Focusing On

• Identity isn’t fixed—it evolves, just like your voice

• Different versions of you tell different stories

• Authenticity doesn’t require consistency

Your Identity Isn’t Fixed—It’s Flexible

Let’s just start here: you are not one thing. You never have been. You’re a whole constellation of experiences, roles, dreams, identities—and those things shift over time. That’s not flaky, that’s what it’s like to be a real life human being.

Some parts of your story might stay constant, and others will absolutely change. Your journaling, your voice, your handwriting, your color choices…they all reflect different seasons of your life. That doesn’t make any of it less true. It means you’re paying attention.

The scrapbooker in their “just moved to a new city” era is not the exact same person as when the “baby’s napping and I’ve got five minutes”. And both are 100% valid.

Campfire Reflection

What brings out different sides of you?

You Can Choose Which Version of You is Telling the Story

Every story has a lens—sometimes it’s “me as a mom,” or “me as a queer person,” or “me as a tired human who’s just trying to get through Tuesday.” You get to decide which lens shows up on the page.

That lens affects what you include, what you leave out, how it feels. You could tell the same story five different ways and they’d all be real.

The magic comes when you notice which lens you’re using. Not to judge it—but to get clear about where you’re coming from.

Campfire Reflection

When do you feel the most like “yourself”?

Authenticity Isn’t About Always Feeling Certain

Let’s bust this one wide open: being “authentic” doesn’t mean you’re always sure of yourself. It doesn’t mean you have a signature style or a fixed perspective or even a consistent journaling voice. It means that what you put down is honest in that moment.

There are two kinds of authenticity in creative work: one is just that you made it (that counts), and the other is that it reflects what you meant to say. Both are valid. And both get better with practice.

So if you’re in a season of change—or you just feel wobbly about who you are today—that’s okay. That doesn’t make your voice less real. It might make it more real.

Campfire Reflection

What’s something about you that’s changed recently?

🎨 Creative Challenge: “Then, Now, Becoming.”

Create a page that captures how your identity has shifted—or is still shifting.

You might include:

• Make a list of three past versions of yourself and one thing each of them taught you

• Create a “me right now” snapshot with words, doodles, or scraps

• Journal through a memory from two perspectives (then vs. now)

• Use photos or drawings to layer identities—like a collage of all your current roles

Remember: This isn’t about being tidy or complete. Messy counts. Honest counts. Showing up counts.

Wrapping It Up

You are allowed to change. You’re allowed to outgrow old stories and write new ones. Your voice doesn’t have to stay the same to still be yours. You’re already doing this work—even if it doesn’t always feel like it.

• There’s no one right way.

• You’re already a storyteller.

• You get to do this your way.

Join the Conversation

What’s one version of yourself you’d love to honor in your creative journal? Or one identity lens you’re curious to explore?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

You are constantly documenting your life.

Whether or not you’ve ever kept a journal, made a scrapbook, or written anything down on purpose…your stories are still showing up. Little bits and pieces of your life are being saved, shared, remembered, and collected all the time.

Let’s shine a light on what’s already there—and how you might want to tell those stories with more intention, clarity, and fun!

What We’re Focusing On

• You’re already documenting your life—just by living it.

• There are lots of reasons to tell your stories (and they’re all valid).

• Knowing why you document helps you tell the stories that matter most to you.

You’re Already Doing This

Let’s get one thing straight: you’re not starting from zero. Your stories are everywhere. They’re in your photos, your texts, the tabs open on your browser. They’re in the post-it note you wrote last night and the five-second voice memo you made while walking the dog. They’re already happening.

The difference now? You’re learning how to notice them. You’re starting to see those little bits as stories instead of just stuff that piles up.

This lesson is your permission slip to count the things you’re already doing. Because they do count.

Campfire Reflection

What’s one way you’ve captured a moment lately?

Stories Don’t Only Happen on the Page

Sometimes we think storytelling has to be this big, intentional act—but honestly? Most of it sneaks up on us.

Your grocery list might hold a memory. That meme you sent your best friend? That’s a whole emotional timestamp. That offhand comment you made in a voice note could be the start of a whole essay.

You are telling stories all the time. You just might not have called them that yet.

Let’s increase our noticing.

Campfire Reflection

Where do your stories show up without you planning them?

Seeing It as Story Changes Everything

Once you start to see what you’re already doing as storytelling, you can start to shape it. To decide what you want more of, what you want to highlight, what you want to remember.

And that’s where the magic starts. Because now it’s not just documentation—it’s creative expression. It’s self-reflection. It’s yours.

So maybe the next time you snap a photo or scribble a thought in your Notes app, you’ll pause for a second and think: this is a story.

Because it is.

Campfire Reflection

What would change if you started seeing those moments as storytelling?

🎨 Creative Challenge: “Already Telling Stories”

Make a page that shows how you’re already documenting your life—even if you weren’t thinking of it as storytelling before.

You could:

• List five everyday things you’ve “saved” recently (screenshots, texts, voice memos, receipts… anything).

• Make a two-column page: “What I collect” and “The stories behind them.”

• Use a photo you took without thinking too much, and write a few lines about what it means now.

• Sketch, collage, or doodle a moment from your week that felt like you.

• Fill a page with fragments—one-liners, memories, quotes, bits and pieces that are floating around your brain.

Remember: Don’t overthink it. This isn’t about making something beautiful. It’s about seeing what’s already there.

Wrapping It Up

You’re already a storyteller.

You’ve been documenting your life this whole time—through the big stuff, the everyday routines, and all the weird little in-betweens. You don’t need permission to start. But if you were waiting for it anyway… here it is.

You don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to catch up. You’re right on time.

Join the Conversation

What’s one story you’ve already “saved” this week—without even realizing it?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

Seriously. That notebook spread, that voice memo rant, that doodle in the margins? That counts.

We’re gonna explore what art really means (spoiler: it’s not just oil paints and trendy galleries), how your creative voice already shows up, and why noticing your own style can help you feel more confident as a storyteller.

What We’re Focusing On

• Telling your story is making art

• Your style is shaped by what you love

• Creativity lives in your everyday life

Storytelling = Art (Even the Messy Kind)

Let’s start here: Storytelling is a creative act. And creativity? That’s art.

You don’t need a paintbrush or a published memoir to call what you do “art.” If you’re showing up with intention, connection, or just plain curiosity—you’re already making something meaningful.

Even if it’s just a half-scribbled notebook page that helped you process your morning meltdown, or a blurry photo you took because the light hit your coffee just right. That counts. That’s you putting your story out into the world, even just for yourself. That’s art.

Campfire Reflection

What makes something feel like “art” to you?

Your Style Is Shaped by What You Engage With

Here’s a fun thing to try: Think about the kinds of art or craft you love. Not just what you make, but also what you linger on. What do you screenshot? What’s saved to your Pinterest board? What’s that thing you always stop to admire at the thrift store?

The stuff you’re drawn to? That’s not random. It’s all part of your style; even if you’ve never put it into words before.

The way you tell stories—your colors, your pacing, the vibe of your pages—is shaped by all those things. So noticing what you love is the first step to understanding what makes your creative voice yours.

And when you’ve made something that feels like you, that’s when it really lands.

Campfire Reflection

When have you felt proud of how you told a story?

Creativity Lives in the Everyday

You don’t have to wait for the “right time” or a big project to be creative. You’re doing it all the time already.

It’s in how you organize your sticky notes. How you choose a photo to send to a friend. How you caption something on social media.

That’s your voice. That’s your style. That counts.

When you start seeing those moments as creative instead of just “normal,” it changes things. You’re not starting from scratch—you’ve already got a whole collection of stories and ideas. We’re just turning on the flashlight to help you notice them.

Campfire Reflection

Where do you see creativity in your everyday life?

🎨 Creative Challenge: “Art as Story”

Create a page that celebrates your story as art.

You might include:

• Make a little list of art or craft you’ve loved (yes, glitter glue from 5th grade counts).

• Cut and paste a mood board: scraps, stickers, receipts, magazine clippings—anything that feels like you.

• Pick a favorite photo or screenshot and write: “This is art because…”

• Doodle the difference between “before I read this lesson” and “after.”

• Grab a quote from the lesson and turn it into the title of your page.

Remember: Take what works, leave the rest. There’s no wrong way to make something true.

Wrapping It Up

Here’s the truth: You’re already an artist.

Whether you’ve known it for years or you’re just starting to believe it—if you’re telling your story, your way, that’s enough. That’s more than enough.

You don’t need to finish the worksheet. You don’t need to have the “right” supplies. You’re here. You’re doing the work. That’s the whole point.

Join the Conversation

What’s one tiny creative moment from your day that you now realize…oh wow, that was art?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

What We’re Focusing On

• Storytelling exists in many forms—and all of them are valid

• How you tell a story is part of what makes it yours

• Noticing what resonates helps shape your voice

Storytelling Exists in Many Forms

Storytelling isn’t limited to personal essays or perfectly crafted paragraphs of prose. It’s in your group chats, your photo captions, the collage you made last week, or the dream you wrote down in a rush before coffee. People have told stories in cave paintings, quilts, TikToks, songs, maps, zines, and memory boxes.

There’s no storytelling rulebook—and that’s a good thing.

So if you’ve ever paused before writing in your journal because you “don’t know how,” this is your permission slip to let that go. The truth is: you already are telling stories. Every single day. We’re just going to help you notice and shape them more intentionally.

Campfire Reflection

Where do your stories tend to show up (even unintentionally)?

How You Tell a Story Is Part of What Makes It Yours

Every time you choose how to tell your story, you’re leaving your creative fingerprint. Maybe you layer photos with doodles. Maybe you write in all caps or scribble sideways. Maybe your favorite way to tell a story is through text messages with your best friend. It all counts.

You don’t need to copy anyone’s style or chase someone else’s version of what storytelling “should” look like. Your format, your materials, your voice—those are all part of your story.

And when you start trusting that your way of doing it is enough, you start unlocking your voice.

Campfire Reflection

What form of storytelling feels easiest for you?

Noticing What Resonates Helps Shape Your Voice

One of the fastest ways to grow your storytelling voice is to notice what draws you in. What kinds of stories do you love? Which ones do you scroll past? What’s the last story that made you stop and pay attention?

Your answers to those questions will be different from anyone else’s—and that’s the whole point. By getting curious about your own tastes, patterns, and preferences, you start to understand what stories mean something to you. And that’s where your voice starts to take shape.

Campfire Reflection

What’s one everyday moment you’d like to capture this week?

Creative Challenge: “All the Ways We Tell Stories”

Create a page that celebrates the different ways you already tell stories.

You might include:

• Make a list of 5 stories you’ve encountered this week (text, meme, video, convo, dream, etc.)

• Draw or collage a “storytelling map” of formats you love: photography, poetry, journaling, voice memos, etc.

• Title a blank page “Storytelling Is…” and fill it with words, doodles, or visuals in different forms.

• Pick one form you haven’t used before and try it out (e.g., comic panel, song lyric, zine format).

Remember: this doesn’t have to be polished or finished. It’s about exploring and playing with form.

Wrapping It Up

You’re doing great. Truly. This lesson is about opening up to the idea that there’s more than one way to tell a story—and that your way is absolutely valid. You don’t need fancy supplies or perfect words. You just need a willingness to show up.

Take what works. Leave the rest. This course is here for you on your own terms.

Reminder: If you haven’t already, check out the Start Here post for your downloads, Trail Journal setup, and all the Summer Camp logistics.

Join the Conversation

What’s one storytelling form you’ve used without even realizing it? Or one you’re curious to try?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

This is a course about creative journaling, storytelling, and taking up space with your own voice. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to walk through ideas, prompts, and reflections that help you understand yourself better and feel more confident telling your story — in your own way, on your own terms.

This pre-lesson is all about getting oriented and grounding ourselves before we head out on this journey.

What We’re Focusing On

• You are the best person to tell your own story

• There’s no right way to do this course

• Your story matters — both to you and to the world around you

You Are the Best Person to Tell Your Own Story

Nobody else has lived your life. Nobody else sees the world from your exact vantage point. That makes your story important. And it makes you the most qualified person to tell it—whether you’re writing it in a notebook, gluing it down in scraps, speaking it out loud, or simply thinking it through on a walk.

This course isn’t about writing “well” or doing it “right.” It’s about showing up with curiosity and letting your story come through in whatever form works for you.

Campfire Reflection

What brought you here?

There’s No One Right Way to Do This Course

You don’t have to complete every prompt. You don’t have to use every worksheet. This is not school. This is not a test.

Find Your Voice is designed to meet you where you are. Some weeks you’ll be all in. Some weeks you might just skim the lesson or read along quietly. That’s valid.

You get to decide how this fits into your life. You’re the one holding the pen.

Campfire Reflection

How do you want this creative journey to feel?

Your Story Has Value—Just As It Is

Your story matters because it’s yours. But it also matters because it connects. When we share our stories — even in the smallest ways — we help others feel less alone. We remind each other what it means to be human.

Telling your story is both a personal and a collective act. And it doesn’t need to be polished to be powerful.

Campfire Reflection

What stories have been on your mind lately?

🎨 Creative Challenge: “I Am the Author”

Make a page that introduces you to your journal.

You might include:

• A photo of yourself (or a doodle, sticker, or symbol that represents you)

• A few words about why you’re here

• Your name or initials, big and bold

• A quote or phrase that’s meaningful to you

• Anything that feels like a “starting point” for this journey

This isn’t about making something perfect — it’s about claiming the first page with your voice.

Wrapping It Up

You made it to the first trail stop. You don’t need to be perfect, prepared, or “creative enough” to be here. You’re already here—and that’s enough.

We’ll be moving through lessons each Tuesday and Friday. They’ll be short, doable, and designed to help you grow your storytelling practice week by week.

If you haven’t already, check out the Start Here post for your downloads, Trail Journal setup, and all the Summer Camp logistics.

Join the Conversation

What’s one reason you’re saying yes to this right now?

Drop it in the comments—one word, a sentence, a whole story—anything goes.

Read more

In the video, I walk through how I’ve set up my journal, talk through a few of the choices I made, and share what I’ve written so far. If you’re feeling stuck or unsure how to start, I hope this gives you a helpful nudge to start playing along!

Reminder: This is just one way to do it. Your journal doesn’t have to look like mine. It doesn’t have to look like anything, really. But if you’ve been waiting for a sign to open your notebook—this might be it.

You can grab the Trail Journal downloads here:

Everyone gets the 8-page starter pack. Paid subscribers get the full 64-page journal, all the printables, and Canva templates to customize.

What’s Next:

Our pre-lesson (You Are the Author of Your Own Adventure) drops Friday, and the full class kicks off next Tuesday. So excited to get started with you.

Take a few minutes today and watch the flipthrough. Let me know what page you’re starting with—or drop a photo of your own journal if you want to share.

Can’t wait to see what you make!!

Today, I’m giving you everything you need to start strong—whether you’re keeping it simple or going full scrapbook witch mode.

What You’re Getting Today

For everyone (yep, even free subscribers):

A printable 8-page starter kit for your Creative Trail Journal.

This includes:

• The cover page

• Our course trail map (lesson names + dates)

• The Find Your Voice manifesto

• A note from me about what this is and why it matters

• How this journal works (and how to make it work for you)

• “My Creative Why” worksheet

• Creative supply suggestions

• Storyteller Snapshot (before) worksheet

This is your jumping-off point. Print it, scribble on it, pull it into ProCreate & use it digitally—whatever works.

✨ Download the FYV Trail Journal Starter Pack (8 pages)

Grab Your Copy

For paid subscribers: Your full FYV Creative Camp Kit is waiting!

You’re getting:

• The complete 64-page digital Trail Journal—a digi version of my physical notebook, with all the worksheets and dot grid pages you’ll need for every lesson and challenge.

• The Digital Backpack—a printable stash of creative goodies to decorate your pages and make this journal yours. It includes:

  • FYV logo stickers, lesson tabs, and badges

  • Printable tags and labels

  • Six solid textured papers

  • 16 patterned papers (four designs × four colors)

Everything is printable. Everything is mix-and-match. Use them in your FYV Trail Journal, your Daily Pages, or wherever you’re feeling it. Have fun.

Pick up the FYV Creative Camp Kit at the Library link below.

Want to See It in Action?

Here’s a peek at one of the spreads I made this week using the patterned papers and the Storyteller Snapshot worksheet. This is one of the pre-camp prompts, and it’s a great way to get your journal warmed up and to start feeling comfortable with how you want to create with me this summer.

What to Do Now

1. Download your journal files. Bookmark this post if you’re not ready to print yet.

2. Open your notebook. Stick in the starter pages or just start filling them out.

3. Do the Snapshot challenge. Take 5–10 minutes this weekend and answer those questions before Camp officially kicks off.

4. Upgrade if you want the full kit. If the free starter pack feels good and you want more—go paid and unlock the full 64 pages + backpack.

Subscribe now

Bonus: I’d love to see what you create. Post your project to your favorite social media/picture hosting site and share the link below!

Welcome to your Digital Camp Library!

This is where you’ll find all the printable files and creative extras that come with your paid Summer Camp subscription! Everything here is yours to download, use, and customize however you like. As a reminder, these files are for your personal use, and are not to be distributed, repackaged, or sold.

I’ll keep this post updated throughout camp—so bookmark it and check back any time.

Full Creative Trail Journal (64 Pages)

This is the full digital version of the Find Your Voice Trail Journal. It’s a page for page copy of the physical journal I’m using myself.

It includes all the worksheets, multiple dot grid spreads for creative challenges, and a few extras at the front and back of the journal.

Read more

Welcome to Find Your Voice: Summer Camp. I’m so glad you’re here.

This is a 6-week creative journaling experience, delivered twice a week right here on Substack.

If you’re subscribed, the lessons will also land straight in your inbox—no apps, no platforms, no extra steps. Just open the email and get started.

You don’t need to be a writer. You don’t need a fancy notebook.

You definitely don’t need to “feel creative” to start.

You just need a notebook, something to write with, and a little curiosity about your own story.

That’s it. We’ll take care of the rest together.

Hi, I’m Kristin.

I’m a feminist scrapbooker, creative educator, and longtime notebook nerd. I’ve been teaching people how to tell their own stories for over a decade—through courses, communities, and my own practice of Daily Pages.

If you’ve ever felt like your stories didn’t “count,” or that you weren’t creative enough to tell them—this is for you. I built this space so we can figure it out together.

You can also keep up with my regular creative journaling practice and get more from me each week over at rukristin.com—my personal newsletter.

What is Find Your Voice?

Find Your Voice is a course I’ve been teaching in different formats for over 12 years.

It’s evolved through blog posts, mini-albums, live workshops, and full-on online classes—but the heart of it has always been the same: helping people learn how to tell their own stories with more confidence and creativity.

This version—Summer Camp—is a guided creative journey delivered right here on Substack. You’ll build your own Creative Trail Journal: a low-pressure mix of self-reflection, visual storytelling, and notebook pages you actually want to come back to.

There’s no one right way to participate. That’s the point.

When Does It Start?

We kick off on Thursday, July 3 with a pre-camp welcome lesson.

After that, you’ll get new lessons every week on:

• Tuesdays and Fridays—bite-sized teaching + prompts to explore in your Trail Journal

• Mondays—paid subscribers get a weekly Trail Chat to ask questions, share progress, or just hang out with camp friends

Can’t keep up in real time? No problem. Everything lives in the archive and your inbox so you can work at your own pace.

What’s Free and What’s Paid?

Free subscribers get:

• Full access to all written lessons

• Comments on every lesson

• A complete creative experience from start to finish

Paid subscribers get all that, plus:

• The Camp Digital Backpack — printable stickers, lesson badges, and summer camp themed papers for your creative journal (available Friday, June 27th).

• Worksheets for each lesson

• Bonus audio lessons + behind-the-scenes reflections

• Access to the weekly Trail Chat thread

• Surprise extras throughout the summer

If you’re new here, start with the free version. You can upgrade any time.

What Do I Need?

• A notebook

• Something to write with

• A little time, a little space, and a little patience with yourself

Optional but fun: glue, tape, scissors, washi tape, that stack of random paper bits you’ve been saving for a moment like this.

How Do I Participate?

Each lesson includes a simple invitation to explore your story on the page—no pressure, no grades, no “shoulds.” Just you, your notebook, and a set of prompts to spark something real.

Paid subscribers also get access to Trail Chat every Monday, where we’ll keep the conversation going and cheer each other on.

You can follow along actively, quietly, sporadically, or obsessively. This is your practice. You make the rules.

Want to Invite a Friend?

Please do. Summer Camp is free to join and even better with people you like. Forward them this email and tell them to click the subscribe button or send them to findyourvoicesummercamp.substack.com

Subscribe now

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I already have access through Feminist Scrapbook School or another class?

Not automatically. Find Your Voice: Summer Camp is a separate course hosted here on Substack.

It’s free to join, but you must sign up to get the lessons by email.
Click below to subscribe

Subscribe now

If you’re a paid FSS member, there’s a different version of Find Your Voice inside your courses. It’s similar in theme, but structured differently.

Is this the same as Book of Me or past versions of FYV?

Nope—this version is brand new for Summer 2025. It’s inspired by previous classes, but built as a fresh creative journaling experience using a trail journal format. If you’ve taken earlier versions, you’ll still find plenty that’s new.

Can I join late or catch up later?

Yes! Every lesson lives in your inbox and in the archive. There’s no deadline and no such thing as “behind.”

Do I have to do every lesson?

Not at all. Take what works, skip what doesn’t. This is a choose-your-own-adventure kind of journey.

Where can I share my pages?

Paid subscribers can post inside the weekly Monday Trail Chat. You’re also welcome to share publicly on social or keep everything just for yourself. All options are valid.

One Last Thing

Grab our a set of digital downloads at the link below to help you get ready for Summer Camp. You can print them out and stick them in your journal, or just get inspiration from the digital versions.

If you’re not subscribed yet, now’s the time.

Let’s tell some stories this summer. I can’t wait to see what you make.

That’s when I feel the urge to make something, but I don’t have the energy to think about what or how or why. The part of me that wants to journal is still in there, but the executive function part? She’s not clocked in.

So I’ve come up with a short list of ways to start creating even when your brain is absolutely not on board.

These aren’t fancy. They don’t require inspiration or energy or even a sharp pencil.
But they’re real ways I’ve used to get myself gently back into the creative rhythm when everything outside feels like too much.

Five Quick Ways to Start Anyway

Make a Currently List.

What are you watching, snacking on, avoiding, loving, hating?

Copy something down.

A quote, a lyric, a line from your latest hyperfixation. Anything counts.

Glue something random to the page.

A receipt. A sticker. That little scrap of paper that’s been floating around your desk. Boom—instant momentum.

Set a 5-minute timer.

Create until it dings. Then stop. That’s a whole page done.

Ask: “What’s taking up space in my brain right now?”

Jot it all down. No overthinking.

Let’s Spread the Word

This simple, laid-back, accessible creativity is the kind of energy we’re bringing to Find Your Voice: Summer Camp, and I want as many people as possible to come hang out with us.

If you’ve got a friend who’s even thinking about journaling this summer—send this post their way. Seriously. Forward the email. Text them the link. Yell “trail journal!” across the backyard fence.

Share

It’s free to join, and it starts for realsies on July 8th—and if you’re already here, we’ve got some great stuff coming up in the next few weeks before camp gets started!

I used to be really self-conscious about my journaling. Not because I wasn’t doing it. I had notebooks full of words and scraps and chaotic thoughts. But my brain just didn’t work the way I thought it was “supposed to.” I wasn’t writing beautiful sentences. I wasn’t telling cohesive stories. I wasn’t making pages that looked like everyone else’s—especially not the ones you’d see online at all the cool-girl scrapbooking galleries or on social media.

So for years, I tried to “fix” it. I toned things down. I forced myself into lines that didn’t fit. I tried to write in a way that looked more “right,” even though it didn’t feel like me.

Eventually, I figured out two things:

1. No one’s handwriting looks good with a ballpoint pen.

2. Different isn’t just okay—it’s awesome.

That was the shift. I found pens I liked. I let myself journal in lists and boxes. I wrote short phrases and labeled little photos. I stopped trying to sound like anyone else.

Now, I hear from people all the time that my journaling is “so iconic”—and it makes me laugh in the best way. Not because it’s untrue, but because it’s the exact thing I used to feel ashamed of.

If you’re reading this and thinking your journaling “doesn’t count,” I want to be really clear: Your words matter. Your story counts.

Whether it’s handwritten or typed, on stickers or screenshots, in full pages or five tiny boxes—it’s still you on the page.

Want to Build a Creative Journaling Practice That Actually Works for You?

Find Your Voice: Summer Camp starts July 8—and we’re spending six weeks creating personal journaling practices that feel playful, flexible, and real.

You'll get:

• Two free written lessons each week

• Bonus content for paid subscribers (worksheets, printables, audio, chat threads)

• A companion creative notebook project—our FYV Trail Journal—we’ll explore together.

If you’ve ever wanted journaling to feel doable, personal, and even fun — this is your chance to give it a try.

Journaling Is Discovery, Not Discipline

There’s a lot of journaling out there that looks similar—and that’s fine! If you love that stuff, and it works for you, absolutely do it! But if it doesn’t work for you, that’s fine too—and better yet, it’s easy to figure out what works for you.

The magic of creative journaling is that it gets to look however you want it to.

• Bullet lists? Absolutely.

• Cut-out words or found text? Amazing.

• Rambling thoughts, one-sentence summaries, or boxed-in fragments? All of it counts.

You don’t need to be a Writer. You don’t need to be consistent. You just need a way to get a little of your story onto the page—so you can reflect on it, connect to it, and maybe even share it if you want to.

3 Ways to Fill In the Blank Page (To Make Your Journaling Easier and More You)

Some days, journaling flows. Other days, the blank page feels like a brick wall.

Here are three of my favorite ways to make it easier—especially when I’m feeling stuck, tired, or overthinking everything.

1. The Five Box Trick

Draw five little boxes (or blobs, or stars — whatever shape you like) on the page.
Now fill each one with something small:

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