Self-love & Art….. Permission Granted
Hello sweet creative,
A few weeks ago I created my yearly gratitude page in my art journal, and I had to wonder: where do I find gratitude for what has been, hands down, the hardest year of my life? Where could I find this spark amidst the heartbreak, knowing that shortly before Christmas, I'd been signing divorce papers? And yet, I knew from experience that I'd find plenty to say and paint, because month after month, I've received so much support from family and friends, from the Universe, and from this community.
After so many years of art journaling, I trusted that once again, it would allow me to unlock some good vibes, nurture my heart no matter what, and help me take the next, brave steps.
Open your art journal
Have you noticed how easy it is to set aside our creative practices when life gets intense? We tell ourselves we'll get back to it "when things calm down" or when we feel better. But in truth, a moment of quiet creativity, however small, might be exactly what we need the most.
Over the years, art journaling has become one of my favorite ways to take care of myself in a soft, soulful and freeing way. It's a space where I can just be—no pressure, no expectations.
How the page started:
Allow yourself to play
One of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself is permission to play. Not to perform, not to perfect—just to play.
Let go of the idea that your art needs to look a certain way. Forget the Pinterest-worthy journal pages or the polished spreads.
Your journal isn’t a gallery; it’s a playground for your inner child, a space for your curious, untamed soul to roam freely.
Maybe that means scribbling with your non-dominant hand, or gluing down bits of paper simply because the texture feels good. Maybe it’s painting in colors that clash a little, making a mess on purpose, or doodling something completely abstract. The point is not to produce something “good.” The point is to feel free.
Play helps us discover unexpected beauty, uncover hidden emotions, and reconnect with a sense of joy we all too often let slip. You don’t need to know where the page is going. You don’t need a plan. You just need to follow the spark—and let your heart and hands lead the way.
Layers, layers…..
One of the things I love most about mixed media, and especially art journaling, is how it mirrors life itself: it all unfolds in layers.
A wash of color, a torn piece of paper, a quiet thought scribbled into the background... each one becomes part of a story, part of the process. Sometimes a page begins in one direction and ends up somewhere completely different. That’s the beauty of it and it's good to surprise yourself!
We never have to get it "right". We don’t have to cover up the mess or pretend the earlier layers never happened. They’re part of it all, part of the journey. They create depth. They carry meaning.
Some layers are bold and visible. Others are soft, barely there, like tiny moments you can sense, more than see. Each one matters. Each one adds richness.
Just like in life, we don’t need to start over every time something feels uncertain. We can simply pause… and add another layer.
With curiosity. With love. With trust.
Cultivating self-love... really?
Your art journal is more than a creative outlet; it’s a mirror, a refuge, and a faithful companion on your path. As you turn the pages and add your marks, you’re not just making art. You’re nurturing your relationship with yourself, one moment of presence at a time.
For many of us, self-love can be a real challenge, and it feels way easier to dismiss it, especially when our culture and education have taught us to.
The other day, I gifted my mom (hi mom!) a bunch of cute stickers and one was saying "love yourself, love yourself, love yourself". It instantly made her uncomfortable, reverting to what we learn when we're little (especially little girls): that we should love others first, put others first, always. Well, this year I've learned in the most painful way how damaging that can be.
We crave love, yet we won't give it to ourselves, like it would be wrong. We don't make ourselves a priority (how dare we?), then we wonder how on earth we've ended up so heartbroken and estranged from our authentic truth.
So, whenever I catch myself resisting self-love, I picture myself as a tiny little girl, and instantly I know that she deserves all the love I can give her.
Taking a moment to make art is one way I can do that.
Self-love isn't about grand gestures and "treating yourself" (although sometimes a little retail therapy doesn't hurt, especially with art supplies!). More often, it’s found in the way you show up for yourself, even when life's messy.
It shows in the boundaries you set and uphold to protect your heart, your time, your creativity.
It lives in the moments when you allow your emotions to spill onto the page instead of keeping them in check. It’s there when you choose rest, or softness, or simply acknowledge what’s true for you without judgment.
Each brushstroke becomes a whisper that says, “I’m listening.” Every new layer is a gentle reminder: “You’re allowed to take this time, and take up space.” And the pages you fill—even the unfinished ones—are tender offerings back to yourself:
“This is me. This is my story. It's OK. I am enough, just as I am.”
Over time, this simple yet sacred practice will soften your inner critic and boost your confidence. Not because you’re creating something “beautiful,” but because you’re showing up with love. And that, in itself, is the most beautiful thing of all.
Permission granted
Sometimes the hardest part is simply allowing ourselves to begin. We wait for the perfect moment, the perfect idea, the perfect space... and all the while, our creativity waits patiently, quietly calling us home. If we ignore it for too long, sometimes it dries up, but it's still there and it can come back. So this is your reminder:
You don’t need to earn your creative time.
You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, or reach a certain "skill level", before you can call yourself an artist. You have full permission to create just because it feels good.
To pause in the middle of a busy day and give yourself a few minutes with color and paper. To make a mess. To change your mind. To stop and start again. To not finish.
There's no right way and there’s nothing to fix. This is your breathing space, your moment to be fully, freely you. And if you’ve been waiting for a sign, a permission slip... this is it.
These days, my art journal is where I go to process big changes and tender emotions. I cry, I breathe, I write letters I'll never send. I glue down and tear raw textures that reflect what’s hard to say. I paint soft pinks and earthy greens when I need hope and grounding. I add wings, stars, or fairy lights for the little girl in me, to always remember her magic.
Art is a mirror. A friend. A place where I can be completely, honestly me. And it can be the same for you, lovely one. Permission granted.
Light, Love & Fairy Dust,
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It may sound counter-intuitive, but to create my “word of the year” art journal page about light, I started with a really dark background. First, as a symbol of the darkness I wish to leave behind this year, but also because I knew it would make the light stand out even more. It's a very simple page, really: light, dark, collage, paint. A few words to express thoughts and emotions, and invite inner guidance to show up…