Short collage with writing exercise.

1. Think of something you would like to give to other persons or to the world. Look for a large print about this in a magazine. Large, because it should be able to cover your whole hand. The print should symbolize something you would like to give.
2. Draw your LEFT hand on that big picture. Cut out your hand. Stick it on the LEFT page of your journal and write a phrase around that hand. Start with: “I’d like to give …”
3. Think about something you would like to receive from other persons. Look for a large print about this in a magazine. The print should symbolize something you would like to receive from life or from the world.
4. Draw your RIGHT hand on that big picture. Cut out your hand. Stick it on a RIGHT page of your journal and write a phrase around that hand. Start with: “I’d would like to receive …”
5. Then write for 10 minutes about giving and receiving, on the same page or on a different page. Start with the sentence: “Giving and receiving is for me …”
6. Give color, decorate your page of your choice.

In a relationship with another or with the world, give and receive must be in balance. Only then relationships can be healthy.

What if … you don’t have large prints on hand? Think of the 3 languages ​​that are used in a creative diary (writing, drawing and collage): you can cut out a hand in a certain color that symbolizes giving and receiving for you and draw in that hand. You can also fill that hand with all the things you would like to give or receive. Keep in mind that giving and receiving are best balanced in ‘healthy’ relationships.

Inspirations from Emily Hawkes.

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.