Tiny Journaling, Big Joy
Remember those childhood diaries with tiny locks and keys? Mine was pink with a golden heart-shaped lock. I’d hide it like treasure, moving it every week just in case someone dared peek at my 7-year-old secrets, like:
Spending the night at Anna’s. Bringing my swimsuit. Might stay TWO nights!
Eventually, my diary morphed into more of a calendar—full of weekend plans, trips to Juarez (yep, that Mexico—shoutout to my fellow El Paso peeps!), and random photo memories from nights at Fred’s Bar. Writing? Meh. I wasn’t huge on it, but scrapbooking? Now *that* was my thing.
If you remember the ‘90s/early 2000s, you KNOW the scrapbook craze—aisles of fancy paper, 3D stickers, themed pages for weddings, birthdays, holidays... I spent hours (and way too much money) cutting, gluing, and crafting my memories.
Fast forward to today: we’ve got thousands of photos on our phones and barely do anything with them. I’ve started printing mine into photo books, but recently I’ve taken a turn toward something even more special—“art journaling”.
Now, instead of snapping a hundred pics, I paint the moment. I carry an art journal and use watercolors to capture places I’ve been, people I’m with, or just whatever inspires me. I add a little note about the day, a quote, or even a doodle. It’s like scrapbooking met mindfulness.
Then I discovered *tiny journaling*. Yep—I’ve started a couple of small bound (4X4 bound books) to create memories. NOW how about miniature books and journals that fit inside vintage tins. Not my idea, but one I absolutely had to try. My first was a tiny round tin with a watercolor of the cherry blossom tree in front of our house—bare branches bursting with delicate flowers. It’s magical.
The best part? Anyone can do this. Love your garden? Paint (or write about) your plants. Travel much? Capture a little landscape from each trip. Not an artist? No worries—write mini notes, press flowers, make tiny collages. It’s all about expressing YOU.
Even as a tech lover, sometimes I crave quiet—no screens, no scroll, just pen on paper and a little creative escape. Tiny journaling has become that peaceful place for me.
Try it. Get quiet, get creative, and make something just for you.