Artist Journal

I have several journals.

They all serve different purposes, with most of them unfinished.

But recently, I’ve been using this particular Moleskine dotted journal as my Focused Action journal.

It contains my personal action items to focus upon and complete, as well as listing my goals, intentions, affirmations and items that I would like to meditate upon, envision and manifest.

This journal also contains doodles and designs that serve as meditative portals to clear my mind, take some deep breaths and ease myself into my next task for that day.

These are works of art that are only for me—not for monetary gain.

They are not sketches for a larger piece.

They are not samples, nor are they studies that are intended to lead towards something in the future.

(Although, it’s possible they may).

They are little designs that provide an artistic, colorful flow to my journal—adding life and light to something that could have once been a mundane, souless task list.

Instead, it reminds me of how I’ve started as an artist—just a kid, a young adult, drawing and coloring just because I loved to do so.

Just because I enjoyed the process—being a part of the creation and witnessing it simultaneously.

I love how my mind goes quiet as I color in each area with a pilot pen.

My thoughts fade away and I become completely entrenched in what I’m doing.

I’ve learned that this is a good mechanism for me to help me focus.

After I complete a task, I draw and color a little and allow myself to feel what I would like to do next.

I see myself doing it in my mind’s eye, while I color.

I see myself completing the task easily, visualizing the final result done, using little effort with a muted mind.

Then I set my Pomodoro timer and begin the next task, I’ve just visualized.

I receive great satisfaction when a page is completed.

The colors of each page ignites fireworks in my brain— popping small bouts of euphoric blood-rushes throughout my veins.

Even the incomplete pages bring me great joy, for I also love seeing how a work unfolds.

I thought it would be nice to include many of these uncompleted pages as pictures in this blog.

Over time, as life progresses, as I share a follow up to this blog, I will also share the progress of the pages in my journal.

The goal for many of these designs is to create something cool for my eyes as I turn the pages.

I create filler pages in-between my action items as if this journal was a large coffee table book, ideally providing something visually appealing before I dial back in.

There is something about color and the combinations of it, that stimulate my brain the same way as when I listen to jazz music.

I feel all areas of my brain come alive and it’s euphoric.

I’m never worried about how the design will look in the end.

I’m just enjoying the process.

I have a knowing it will look incredible. And, it will all look even more incredible all together.

The process is the most enjoyable part of this journal, and this is the great lesson I must personally apply to my life.

Each action item on my list, included in this journal, are all steps on my journey—my journey of life, my journey to achieve my goals.

The result is certain. I will get to the finish line.

The question is, will I enjoy the process? Will I enjoy my day-to-day on this journey.

In an odd, very indirect way, this journal is a reminder of this.

That I can incorporate fun, color, and joy in my day-to-day grind.

And, I can enjoy each step along the way.

Maybe my life, and my daily tasks don’t have to feel like work—like blood sweat and tears but like a rigorously rewarding sport I adore, and love getting better at.

Wishing you a very Good Friday and a great Easter weekend.