Finding Inspiration for Journaling

Journaling on a scrapbook page is an important element in the scrapbook process. It tells the story and the details that will otherwise be forgotten. Sometimes I get stuck, though. What should I write? What do I want to write? At these times I look for journaling inspiration. It's often easier to find than I realize. I encounter many things in my daily life that can lead to a good journaling idea.

Here are a few places to find inspiration:

• Advertising. Look around you. The sales pitch for an advertisement can spark an idea for journaling on a layout. For example, I noticed a clever tag line on a Whole Foods grocery bag. With a few changes in the wording I adapted it for a layout.
• Books. Do you enjoy reading? Be inspired by the book jacket, the tone of your favorite author or the plot of a story. These concepts lead to interesting journaling.
• Children's writing. Don't throw away those papers your child brings home. Instead, add them to your scrapbook. While you may want to preserve the exact handwriting and paper, don't always feel the need to scrapbook those elements exactly as your child created them. In my layout "Metamorphosis" I used my daughter's words from a school assignment but typed them in blocks and arranged them around the photograph of her.

• Clustering. Create a clustered layout where a special word is placed in the middle and circled. Now, surround the word with other words or stories related to the special word. Circle each word, then draw a line to the special word. This cluster can either be placed directly on a scrapbook page or as an idea starter for journaling on a series of layouts.
• Conversations. Use conversations with other people to create journaling. Jot down your conversations as quickly as possible and keep them for a future layout. When searching for a journaling idea, use one of them. In my layout "The Push" I recorded a conservation I had with my daughter about her gymnastics class.

• Greeting Cards. Standing in the greeting card aisle, you can find inspiration. Read the cards. Consider the topics, sentiments and tone. Use those things to create your own greeting card journaling.
• Journaling Prompts. When searching for an idea, look at journaling prompts. Journaling prompts are questions or ideas to start you thinking about various topics. For some excellent journaling prompts see the article: All About Me Journaling Prompts.
• Letters. Look at some of your letters and find inspiration. Maybe it's the letter topic, the sender of the letter, the stamp on the letter, or someone's handwriting. All these things can inspire a journaling topic.
• Lists. Grocery lists, to-do lists, etc. can all be journaling inspiration.
• Online. Topics, questionnaires, and entries on message boards, e-mail messages and blogs can prompt journaling. When my dog suffered health issues, it was discussed on a message board. The discussion prompted me to create my layout "Merlin: So Far."

• Mission Statement. An organizations mission statement can be a journaling prompt. How about your own mission statement? Consider who you want to be, your important roles and your principles. Turn these things into your own mission statement or a series of journaling topics.
• Other Writers. Is there another writer that inspires you? I love Cathy Zielske's journaling on her layouts. Just reading it can prompt me to create layouts with a tone or topic that I hadn't considered. Don't forget to get inspired by your fellow scrapbookers.
• Poetry. How about reading some poetry for inspiration? The topic of the poem might inspire you. Maybe you might want to write your own poem. If you are a poet don't forget to include examples of your poetry in the scrapbooks.
• Quotes. While quotes can be motivating or humorous, don't forget to look at them as journaling prompts too. What about the quote inspires you? Also consider what quotes you are drawn to - what is the topic or tone that keeps you coming back? Those insights can be a journaling topic.
• Spirituality. Inspiration can come from spiritual sources as well. Consider being inspired by a spiritual writing, a prayer, meditation or a spiritual journey.

Keep your eyes open to words, written and spoken, all around you. There is inspiration everywhere!

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