There are many things going on in your life that can weigh on you. Sometimes you can’t tell people these things and sometimes you just need to vent right now. The kids are driving you crazy or your friend hurt your feelings. The regular lines of communication aren’t there because your spouse is deployed and you are feeling isolated. You shouldn’t carry all of that hurt and frustration around. It keeps you from being the best you possible. This DIY free-form journal helps you let go of all of that in a safe place. In addition, it is the second tutorial in the journey to wellness (in preparation for the first ever Military Spouse Wellness Summit). This has now ended.

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What a Free-Form Journal Is Not

• This journal does not replace important conversations with the people in your life.  It is important to open up about it in order to move past it.
• It is not a tool for avoidance of important issues going on in your life.
• A free-form journal is not a magical cure-all to keep you from being hurt or frustrated again. (Don’t I wish!)

 

What a Free-Form Journal Is

• This journal does give you a safe place to vent your hurt and frustrations so that when you get the chance to bring it up, you are able to do so with much more diplomacy and clarity.
• It is for any form of expression including destruction.  First, write your frustrations in your free-form journal. Then feel free to mutilate that page or rip is out and destroy it altogether.
• It is a tool for helping you unload some of your burdens so that you can go through your day to day life without the weight of it all on your shoulders.

 

Materials

• Composition Book
• Double-Sided Tape
• Ribbon
• Mod Podge
• Decorative Paper
• Embellishments

 

 

Step 1

First, cut a length of ribbon 4 inches longer than the height of your composition book.  Next, attach it to the top left corner of your composition book cover.

 

 

Step 2

Next, use your composition book to measure you decorative paper.  Once you have measured it cut 2 pieces to those measurements.

 

Step 3

Put a layer of Mod Podge on the front and back covers of your composition book.  Next place your decorative paper on top.

 

Tip:

• This entire project works best if you lay your composition book open with the covers facing up.

 

 

Step 4

After attaching your paper put another coat of Mod Podge over the decorative paper.  Next add any embellishments you chose.

Note:

• I just added letter stickers to mine because I loved the paper and didn’t want to cover it much but you can use any stickers, die cuts, or chipboard that you want.

 

Step 5

Finally, add a sealer coat of Mod Podge to your entire notebook and allow it to dry.

Tip:

• If you notice that your paper is bubbling, add a sheet of wax paper over top and stack a heavy book on it.  Once the Mod Podge has dried, the wax paper will peel right off leaving your design intact.

 

Now you have a fantastic new free-form journal.  Use the ribbon you attached to keep your place easily.  Any time you begin feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or anything in-between simply pull out your new tool for being the best you possible. This is another excellent tool that goes along with dealing with embarrassment (if you struggle with that like I do). Take control of your life today with this easy DIY.

See where I’m linking up!