5 Steps to Bring Passion to the Visual Journal Page

Do you have those moments when you look at Instagram or Pinterest and see someone’s visual journal page and think, wow, that is incredible. How did they convey so much passion and meaning on the page? The visual journal page is the perfect space to explore your passion, your dreams and desires. Today we are on letter P for Passion.

Visual journaling is powerful because it allows us to explore the depth of who we are through combining images, paint and words to create something that visually captures how we are feeling in the moment.

Visual journaling is perfect for expressing emotions

Sometimes that passion is sad or angry. Sometimes it is ecstatic. The visual journal page can hold all of it, freeing you to release your thoughts, feelings and beliefs onto the page.

In the visual journal pages shared above, I followed the steps I share next. I was feeling happy and playful that day and allowed myself to get curious about what I was feeling, pour that onto the page and then transform it into joy and a desire to make the world a more beautiful place.

I had this quote floating around my scrap box of words and quotes for months, waiting for the perfect page. This ended up being one of my favorite visual journal spreads ever.

5 Steps to Bring Passion to the Visual Journal Page

1. Start with writing out your feelings and emotions, like I showed in step one of my process here. A quick tip: if you want to keep track of what you wrote for later and not paint over it, snap a quick photo.
2. Add 2 to 3 colors and paint over the words, this creates safety. You can use gesso first if you want it to be even more opaque. When you paint over the words no one will see them and you won’t feel like you are exposing all of you story to the world, only sharing what you want to share. Use your intuition to guide you to select the colors that align with the words you wrote or express how you are feeling in the moment. Putting color on the page is a great way to pour out your emotions and feelings, even when you don’t have words to go with them.
3. Find one image or several that tell the story without words and add them to the page. You could use collage, draw or paint an image onto the page. There is no right or wrong or better way to create an visual journal page. There is only your way and that requires you to trust your intuition and follow your inner guidance.
4. You might add a word or two that captures the meaning you want to convey on the page. Don’t add too many words. Sometimes one word or a short quote can serve to remind you how you were feeling in the moment you created the page.
5. Finish off by adding any marks, lines, or patterns to the page that make it your own. A little botanical sketch or some dots and lines can personalize a piece like piped flowers on a cake.

Don’t overcomplicate the process

Often we overcomplicate the creative process. It can be simple. Keeping it simple can allow you space to connect more deeply with the page. Getting too caught up in making it pretty or using all the supplies you own takes you out of the moment and can keep you stuck in indecision or doubt.

Passion is a strong word. The visual journal page is a great place to pour your passion, your highs and your lows, your enthusiasm and your grief, without fear of judgement or censure. You choose if you want to share with others. I love the safety and sanctity of the visual journal page.