Case Studies

Case Studies

From our students

Case Studies

From our students

Kathy

BEFORE taking a journaling class, I would journal when and if I thought about it.

In one of my journals, I would write affirmations and manifestations of things that I was hoping would happen in my life.
In another journal were my inspirational leadership quotes that I would use when I was sending a work email.

AFTER taking the class with Allen and Lisa, I now take my journals everywhere, I even take them camping.

I now look forward to the time I’ll spend working in my journals.
I’ve also started some journals where I write letters to my children and husband, I also started to write letters to my grandchildren, after writing them, l mail them.

BEFORE taking a journaling class, I would journal when and if I thought about it.

In one of my journals, I would write affirmations and manifestations of things that I was hoping would happen in my life.
In another journal were my inspirational leadership quotes that I would use when I was sending a work email.

AFTER taking the class with Allen and Lisa, I now take my journals everywhere, I even take them camping.

I now look forward to the time I’ll spend working in my journals.
I’ve also started some journals where I write letters to my children and husband, I also started to write letters to my grandchildren, after writing them, l mail them.

Now when I journal, I find myself using mixed media when I create; I am more creative and more artistic.

I also found journaling gives me a connection between my chemo treatment and the caregivers.

During my chemo treatment, I’ll ask the nurse for a word of the day, and I’ll reflect on healing. When I do this, I know which nurse it was, for example, Bella gave me hope, Vic gave me peace, this provides me with a sense of purpose and connection.

I also found that journaling helps me lower anxiety and provides a safe place to cope with challenging health concerns.
Journaling has also helped me to accept some realities in my life.

Daniel

BEFORE taking a journaling class, I never considered journaling other than dusty old entries used to talk about days gone; a small, leather-bound book, full of dates and blocks of text.

From my perspective, journals were simply an item to be picked in a video game, where you scan the wall for blocks text looking for a code to a door or a piece of information to press forward in a level.

AFTER taking my first journaling class with Allen and Lisa, I realized that I was journaling, just not in a traditional manner.

Not once did I consider a sketchbook to be a form of journaling.
I never knew a journal could be drawings, cutouts, newspaper clippings, labels, basically anything that would allow you to express yourself.

BEFORE taking a journaling class, I never considered journaling other than dusty old entries used to talk about days gone; a small, leather-bound book, full of dates and blocks of text.

From my perspective, journals were simply an item to be picked in a video game, where you scan the wall for blocks text looking for a code to a door or a piece of information to press forward in a level.

AFTER taking my first journaling class with Allen and Lisa, I realized that I was journaling, just not in a traditional manner.

Not once did I consider a sketchbook to be a form of journaling.
I never knew a journal could be drawings, cutouts, newspaper clippings, labels, basically anything that would allow you to express yourself.

I began my journaling journey after a decade of laying down my pencils and sketchbooks.
With a pencil in my hand and a blank page before me, I began to work, my brain and hand fought in tandem, after an hour of struggling, I made my first drawing in ten years.
It was crude, nonetheless, it was a drawing.
Having made this drawing, it was interesting that I suddenly had the desire to start drawing once again.

I slowly began to purchase pencils, pens & inks, a fresh sketchbook from a dollar store, an old drawing book from 1940s.
When I began my first drawing tutorial, I rediscovered an outlet for my brain.
From mind to hand and paper, this combination allowed me to express endless possibilities.
This expression resulted in me making small drawings, cutting them out and taping them into my new sketchbook, thus creating a flipbook of my progress.

My journals now contain personal artwork, drawing tutorials, class assignments, drawings made from pencil, pen and watercolor; I love how these mediums make the pages crinkle.

From that day forward, I took my sketchbook and made it something that I would want to fill out every single page, add pages from other drawings, and add snippets of text from art books.
I wanted to create a journal where every page held something special, a journal I would want to show off, something I would be proud to keep on a shelf at home.
I am truly amazed by my progress, from a crude drawing done in the middle of the night, to drawings that have become my personal treasures.

LaNora

As a single parent raising my daughter, we celebrated all the exciting firsts. When I became an empty nester and turned 50, I wanted to bring that excitement back into my life. I’m now using my journal to help me with my goal of 50 New Things and to be more adventurous. I want to remember all the firsts. I write things down and collect items to add to my journal pages.

BEFORE taking a journaling class:

I wanted to learn to process life and bring it back into a routine.
Background: 25-year emergency dispatcher, the communication style is short, direct statements.
My writing was inconsistent and felt like a chore.

AFTER taking a journaling class:

I feel motivated to journal and I'm consistent. Now I want to write in my journal, it’s easier to pick it up and add things.
I’ve learned new techniques to use to process my thoughts.
I’m practicing using longer sentences and expressing my thoughts differently. Words are pretty powerful. With journaling, I can go back and change things if I want.
I like structure and organization, but I’m learning that I can also be creative and have fun without losing organization.
Journaling has helped me calm and organize my emotions.
I have the following journals: travel and adventure, plant, funny stories, and work.
I’m even using my photos and having journals made with my photos on the covers.