As the winter season settles in with its cold temperatures and shorter daylight hours, it can be easy to find ourselves longing for the warmth and vibrancy of summer.
The dreary days can sometimes leave us feeling a bit uninspired and disconnected from the joys of outdoor adventures.
But fear not, there is a creative solution that can help bring back those summer vibes - image-based journaling.
I was recently working on a project that took me through our photos and videos from the last few years. Oh my goodness!
What started as a simple task of selecting and organizing a few outdoor journaling images turned into something truly magical. As I scrolled through each image, memories flooded back to me, sparking inspiration for journal entries, blog posts, discussions of future adventures, and even rekindling conversations about experiences we had completely forgotten about.
Image-based journaling is such a valuable tool because it taps into the power of visual stimuli.
Our brains are wired to respond strongly to visuals, often triggering emotions, memories, and creative thinking. By using images as prompts for journaling, we can transport ourselves back to warmer, brighter days, and reconnect with the joy and excitement that accompanied those moments.
One of the beautiful aspects of image-based journaling is its flexibility. You can choose to explore your own collection of photos and videos, or you can venture out into the world with your camera, capturing new moments of adventure and beauty. Whether it's a breathtaking sunrise, a serene beach scene, or a playful day at the park, these images can serve as touchstones for our journaling practice.
Once you have curated your collection of images, the real fun begins.
Take some time to truly immerse yourself in each photo.
- Look for details, colors, and textures that stand out to you.
- What emotions do these images evoke?
- What memories do they bring back?
- Why did you take the photo? What was it about that moment that you were trying to capture?
Allow yourself to be fully present in each moment, using the photo as a gateway to re-experiencing the joy and excitement of summertime.
Next, grab your journal and let the words flow.
Let your words paint a picture that complements the image, enhancing the overall sensory experience.
- Describe the scene in vivid detail, using sensory language to make it come alive on the page.
- Write about how you felt in that moment - the warmth of the sun on your skin, the sound of laughter, the smell of sunscreen.
Don't limit yourself to just describing the image; let your thoughts and reflections flow freely.
- What lessons did you learn from that particular experience?
- What challenges did you overcome?
- How did that moment shape you as a person?
Image-based journaling is about more than capturing the beauty of a scene; it's about capturing the essence of an experience and allowing it to teach, inspire, and guide us.
In addition to journaling for the sake of your journal, image-based prompts can also be jumping-off points for new activities!
They're a great starting point for blog posts, social media captions, vacation planning, thank-you notes, and even conversations with friends and loved ones. Sharing our stories with others can create connections, spark inspiration, and ignite a sense of shared adventure.
So, as the winter days stretch on, and the warmth of summer feels like a distant memory, turn to image-based journaling as a way to bring a little sunshine into your life.
Immerse yourself in the beauty and joy that each photo encapsulates, and allow the memories to guide your pen and ignite your imagination. Make sure you've got your journal, a stickie notepad, maybe a map or travel brochure, beverage, and snacks ready. Your journey through your images will brighten your day and take you to other you only wish you could be in the moment.
What oils would we recommend diffusing?
Any of the citrus oils. They help give you that uplifting and spring-clean scent that refreshes your space almost like opening a window in the spring! Our next choices, which could each pair nicely with a citrus oil, would be one of the mints, spice, or tree essential oils like peppermint, Cardomom, or Idaho Blue Spruce.
Let the power of visual stimuli and an aromatic cozy writing space transport you back to those precious moments, and watch as the winter blues melt away in the face of newfound inspiration and creativity.
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