Today I took my time. I had a lie in. Got up grabbed a coffee and went back to bed with my new journal.

There was the bubbling of excitement as well as fear. I’ve been preparing this new journal for the past week and it was time to begin.

I’m reminded of the Henry David Thoreau Quote: “There is no beginning too small.” 

So I took my time. Took inspiration from the colours on the page and started mining magazines for images and text. I ripped out whole pages knowing I’d come back in and cut out the details, the inspiration.

I spent about an hour cutting and pasting. Spreading out across the colourful pages. 

The last spread of sticking I did in the picture above. Once this was complete, I had to leave it to complete some chores. It was an hour before I returned with another coffee and this time ready to write.

I wrote about beginning again. The newness of a new journal. The possibilities. How my energy needed a shift hence the new journal and starting it this morning as I go on retreat; away from the world to create, to be and to rest.

I thought it fitting that this day should be marked with a new visual journal, with a new beginning as I’m excited about going away and being away from all the distractions and noise and demands which have been dominating my life of late.

I’m grateful for the time, space and means to take off from my life for a week and be inspired within the cradle of mountains.

I do not set out to create anything beautiful with my visual journal practice. The purpose is always to be present within the process. But there are sometimes when I look at a finished pages ( I don’t think it is ever finished as I always return to continue the conversation with myself) and they bring a smile to myself as they stand in for all the emotions and thoughts and dreams that surfaced during the time with the page.

I wonder, and wonder, and wonder what can be explored and shared when I lean into my interdisciplinary practice. I wonder.