Closing up

You can close a diary after a certain important period, after every week, but also after every year. There are several techniques for closing. Don’t feel this as a goodbye, but as an opportunity … the door is open to the sequel.

Writing and collage

1. Take 3 small papers in advance (the size of a rectangular label).
2. Go through your diary, the days you have written, from then to now, browse and read something here and there. On the three pieces of paper, write 3 things that you will bring with you from this period. Which 3 things do you want to take with you and are important to you? Write to yourself.
3. Choose 1 image that fits this, based on your feeling. Take a fairly large image (between 1/4 of a sheet and 1/2 of a sheet).
4. Take a blank page in your journal. Stick the image in the middle BUT only glue the sides and bottom so that the top of the image is loose and that you can put something IN or BEHIND the image, so to speak. Put your 3 messages behind it.
5. Now write an 1-2-3-poem below the image, a kind of poem in 3 sentences:

1st sentence: Write down something you see in a short sentence (in the picture or not).

2nd sentence: Make a comparison with something else.

3rd sentence: Conclude with a question or conclusion.

“Trust that an ending is followed by a beginning.”

What if … you accidentally tape the picture completely? Then stick your notes around it or put them in a small envelope and stick the envelope with your image.

Inspiration poem by Jenny de Bode

TIP: Make sure your image is large enough to act as an envelope for your notes. This way you can put notes behind it.

Thank you very much for participating in this 31 days of keeping a diary in quaratine. I hope you liked it.  If you want to support my work, you can always donate what you want through this link. No obligations of course.

For the Dutch people. If you want to stay in touch with me, you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram or youtube (soon there will be more on my channel). You can also join the Dutch speaking group on Facebook in Quarantine, they’re in the middle of the prompts you recieved. Or stay in touch with me through my monthly newletter with an agenda for live workshops online, live workshops in Belgium (no Netherland at the moment), inspirations, books to read, tips for your physical and psychological hygiene and health., …

For the English people. I hope to see you again one day. Please let me know how you experienced it. What was for you the difference between other (art)journal programs and this, what was difficult for you, what was pleasant. Feedback helps me grow.

Would you like to get in touch with others? In Facebook you find a page where participants connect.

Important to know:

Working in a Creative Diary is NOT about results, it’s about expressing you inner self. It is NOT about techniques, techniques only help you to express yourself in more different ways. The exercises I give are an INVITATION, not an obligation. You can do the exercise, or not, you can do it differently, it’s at your choosing. The most important thing to remember is that you’re putting yourself and your (inner) world on paper, you are NOT making art. So feel inspired by images, but don’t compare yourself ! Fun and self-expression come first.

What do you need?

• markers
• coloured pencils
• writing materials
• scissors
• glue
• watercolour
• soft pastels
• oil pastels
• some magazines

And of course: a journal/diary. I recommend an 8,3 inches x 11,7 inches notebook (A4 format) with blank paper, but take whatever you find in your house. Blank papier is good too.

More information:

The exercises used in this Creative Diary are based on a method described by Lucia Capacchione, American art-therapist and author of the book The Creative Journal, by Anne-Marie Jobin, Canadian art-therapist and author of the soon to be coming book The New Creative Journal, and myself, Sarah Timmermans, Belgian art-therapist and psychologist (Dutch book: Het Creatieve Dagboek). The method blends knowledge from writing therapy, art-therapy, psychology and basic creativity. It’s a simple method that doesn’t requires any artistic skills and has been used with many ages, many individuals and many groups of people. More questions? Please write me.

Who am I?

I’m Sarah Timmermans, Belgian art-therapist, naturopath and psychologist. I’m trained by Jungian art-therapist/psychologist Csilla Kemenzcei. I work with individuals and with groups. I’m specialised in using diaries, tarot (archetypes) and dreams.