There are plenty of ways to make art for therapeutic purposes, and one fun way to do it is to make a scrapbook using craft supplies you already have. For example, making a scrapbook or a journal would help you jot down your thoughts and immortalise your life’s journey. To start with your creative journey, follow the steps below.
James Clear, the author of the New York Times Bestseller Atomic Habits, encourages people to make more art as creativity allows your body to receive real mental health benefits such as stress relief and enhanced brain productivity, just to name a few.
Look around for inspiration
In most projects, making a scrapbook could seem a little overwhelming at first. The dilemma might be answering the question, “Where do I start?” However, making a scrapbook is easier than you think. All you have to do is to look around and sit with your emotions.
Let your mind wander, and soon you will have these creative juices ready to be squeezed. If you are struggling to find inspiration, it might be helpful to listen to some music. And if you still have a blank space, you can search for inspiration and ideas online. Remember to keep your art supplies around in case creativity kicks in.
Decide on the main theme
For you to make an aesthetically pleasing scrapbook, you would want to keep a consistent theme. Have your photos sorted out and assign a consistent theme per page or a whole album. This helps set up your scrapbook’s mood.
For instance, if you are planning to do a whole album about your latest hiking trip, you would want to utilise colours such as green, brown, and a hint of blue, all of which are better suited for the theme.
Get started
Because making a scrapbook could feel too overwhelming, it might be best to spread all the materials you need in immortalising your thoughts and bringing your memories back to life. To avoid being stuck on a blank page, you might find it helpful to have your blank page lying there in front of you.
Along with the different craft supplies you need, you can alternate looking around to find some inspiration and looking on your blank canvass to help you think more clearly. If you have no idea what art supplies you need, below is a list of the basic materials you need to make an excellent scrapbook.
- Your photos – Make sure they are all sorted out.
- Colours – There is no specific rule for choosing what type of colouring materials you have to use. Whether you want to use coloured pens or all sorts of paint, you are free to do so. You can even use both! However, it would be best to decide on a theme and consistently stick to colours that complement each other.
- Stickers – Such materials are beneficial in having accentuated details. If you are into stickers, you can utilise stickers that complement the theme of your choice to make your scrapbook look lovely.
Art and creativity do not only exist for aesthetic purposes. Creating art through journaling or scrapbooking helps you relax and restore focus and concentration. While there are no definite rules for journaling and scrapbooking, finding the right and high-quality art supplies would help make the outcome of your art worth every moment spent in immortalising your thoughts and bringing your memories back to life.
