Prep Part 2: Ideas & Tips For Your Sections

WHAT DO I FILL MY SECTIONS WITH & HOW DO THE PROMPTS WORK?

The intention behind this project is to capture a moment in a day and visually document it--like a journal but with some type of imagery instead. Try filling in each section with something that inspired you from that particular day. 

In case you aren't sure where to start or aren't feeling inspired, I will be providing daily prompts (sent out at the start of each week) that you can use. They are to help spark an idea and can be used in any way that supports you! These are optional--use them every day, when you need them, or not at all.  

You can approach the prompts however you'd like:
  • Literally
  • In a more abstract manner
  • Using it to help brainstorm other words or ideas that you might have a stronger connection with
  • I find it really helpful to use the prompt as a starting point then allowing it to evolve throughout the day, keeping it flexible and open.
Whether you decide to use the prompt or not, throughout the day, notice all the things you encounter: an object, color, pattern, feeling, conversation, texture, smell, vibe, etc. that struck a cord. When you're ready to work on your section, focus on what you'd like to capture. 
 
This project is yours so please do something that feels right for you! Instead of documenting something you notice from each day, here are a few other suggestions:
  • Document your emotions
  • Do a project inspired by nature
  • Create a different pattern each day
  • Jot down a quote or words of wisdom
  • Use music as your inspiration
  • Document a recent vacation or trip- think about what you did, use photos, memories, and mementos to fill in your sections

HOW DO I FILL IN MY SECTIONS?

This is the fun part and there are so many ways to do this! 
 
The first thing you may want to consider is: do you want to do different techniques each day (as someone who is interested in ALL the things, this really works for me!) or stick with the same one. Either way is fine and it's OK to change your mind mid project too however having a general idea to start off with can be helpful.
 
Also consider what materials you want to use--whether you want to focus on a specific type (for example: watercolor or markers or ink pens) or if you want to use the same tool every day and get creative with that (I think it could be really interesting to use the same pen for the entire project and see how you can get creative with it!) 
 
Don't forget to also consider your schedule and what you can realistically get done. Take it easy, start small, and see how it feels. Adjust as you go and do more if you'd like or scale back and do less when that works best.
 
Here are some ideas you could try:
  • Paint one color per day
  • Create a little collage
  • Add something from your day (a piece of an envelope you got in the mail, packaging, sticker from your coffee cup, the tab from the soda you drank)
  • Doodle or do a quick sketch
  • Do comic strip type drawings
  • Paint a watercolor background then jot down a sentence about your day
  • Write a word, lyric, phrase, or poem that fits in the section
  • Snap photos on your phone then choose one to print out and add to your project
There are endless possibilities! Think outside the box, try new things, follow your curiousity and be fearless :) I know sometimes it can feel overwhelming because it is so open ended. If you feel that way, try focusing on one section, do what feels good for you, and take it one day at a time. Most importantly, have fun with it!
 
For all my fellow perfectionists: it's ok to try something new and not like it or mess up! The interesting thing about this project is once we are done with a section, we're moving on to the next! That means we get to sit with that discomfort of what we don't like and look at it with fresh eyes the next day. 99.9% of the time I come back to it and think, hey it's not that bad! And if you still don't like it, stop the urge to “fix” it. Let it be, let it go, and remember it's only one section out of 21 and it's part of the journey and process.

(And for the 0.01% of the time where you HAVE to change it or start over, most of the time you can add to it to change it or cut out the shape of that section in paper and glue it on top--now you have a blank canvas to try again.)
 
If you need some ideas, here's a video I made with 50 different ways to make a mark. I've also tried a bunch of different things for past sections and projects that I've shared on IG or TT in case you want to take a look!

And if you're like me and have a bunch of saved posts and reels, now is a really good time to go through them and pick out things you'd like to do!