Journals are a great way to record everyday life, thoughts, and feelings. These can also be used as agendas to keep track of upcoming events. Unfortunately, a business sales journal won't always feel very personal. The good news is that this problem is easy to fix with a few trimmings and knowing where to start. With a little time and creativity, you will definitely have a unique journal that will be very special to you!
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Adorn the outside of a journal
Step 1. Consider embellishing the outside of the journal
Whether you have a simple diary or a sophisticated one, you can make it look more unique by decorating the outside! In this section, you will find all kinds of ideas. You don't have to use them all. Choose the two that you like the most!
Step 2. Embellish the cover with stickers or faux gemstones
Even if the journal is already fancy, you can still stick some rhinestones on the cover. If the journal is simple, but you don't want to go to great lengths to make it fancy, you can stick some nice stickers on the cover.
Step 3. Cover a simple journal with cloth
This works great for simple notebooks! For an added touch, add some embroidery to the fabric first, before gluing it on. It can be something as simple as laying multiple rows in a straight seam.
Step 4. Cover the journal with colored paper
You can use scrapbook paper, maps, or wrapping paper. You can even design your own cover on the computer, print it out and use it. Use glue to make the cover permanent, or tape it to make it temporary.
Cover the finished journal with decoupage glue (such as Mod Podge) or adhesive paper to protect the paper from dirt or moisture
Step 5. Give a simple color journal some sparkle using glitter
Cover the front with a thin layer of liquid glue and apply some glitter to it. Wait for it to dry and apply some decoupage glitter glue (like Mod Podge).
- If you want multiple colors, work with one color at a time. Let each color dry before moving on to the next.
- Make sure the sealer is shiny. If it is opaque, the glitter will no longer shine.
- It is important that you seal the glitter. This will prevent the journal from falling apart. Also consider sealing the edges of the cover.
Step 6. Try on a cover with electrical tape
Wrap electrical tape around the cover. Fold the ends of the ribbon over the inside of the cover by 1/2-inch (1.5 cm) and trim the excess. If you are using a patterned tape, be sure to line them up!
Cover the spine of the journal with contrasting tape. For example, if you are using patterned tape for the cover, use a solid color tape for the spine
Part 2 of 3: Decorating the Inside of the Journal
Step 1. Learn how to make the inside of the journal stand out
There are many more ways to embellish than just using glue, stickers, and glitter. You can also include elements such as color, font, and text size. In this section, you will find many ideas on how to decorate the interior of the diary. You don't have to use them all; Choose the ones that seem most interesting to you!
Step 2. Decorate important events with pictures or illustrations
These don't have to be very big or fancy. A simple drawing (like a flower, a heart, or a cat) can make the page stand out. Just make sure it relates to what you are going to write!
- If you don't want to draw, you can use colorful stickers!
- This is great for calendars. For example, if a party is coming up, add a picture of a cake, gift, or balloon!
- Another idea is to paste objects inside the journal that have something to do with the entry, such as maps, postcards, tickets, and postage stamps!
Step 3. Use different fonts and colors to make certain words and phrases stand out
This can easily make a simple page look more interesting. You can do it for the post titles, but also for random words throughout the post, like the following: "I went to a PARTY and I had a lot of FUN!"
- Use capital letters, round or square letters, or even italics.
- To create vibrant text, first write the word and then trace each letter using a highlighter.
Step 4. Draw a border around the important words and phrases to make them stand out
Write the heading using a different font than the rest of the page, and then draw a cloud or zigzag border around it using a highlighter. For example, do the following:
Write "My Birthday List" using rounded letters and draw a cloud-shaped outline around this phrase using a highlighter
Step 5. Use washi tape to make the backgrounds for the important words and titles
Lay out a strip of washi tape and write the headline on top using a ballpoint pen. Another simple background is to just highlight the text you want to highlight.
Modify the background by cutting a V-shaped slit at each end before laying
Step 6. Make a background using a stamp or colored pencils, and write the heading on it with a pen
Draw a background using a pen and color it with colored pencils. You can also use a stamp with that shape to create one. Write the heading inside it.
Step 7. Create some banner stickers to mark important events
Cut a 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece of colored ribbon, and then cut a V-shaped slit at one end. Use it on the calendar to make important dates stand out.
Step 8. Draw on the edges to make the entries stand out
An easy way to do this is to draw pretty vines and leaves around the edges of the page. You can also use squiggles, zigzags, and other designs. This can turn a simple page into a more sophisticated one.
You don't have to adorn every page, or use the same border all the time
Part 3 of 3: Start Journaling
Step 1. Make the first page count
Some newspapers may already have a special first page where you can write your name and the title of the journal. Others have a blank first page. In any case, you will have to make the first page very special. Here are some ideas to get started:
- Write your name and the title of the journal in large letters.
- If you want, you can add a message that says "SECRET" or "DO NOT READ", but keep in mind that if someone finds it, this will most likely make them want to read it even more.
- Use lots of bright colors. Glitter or metallic gel pens are great for this!
- Adorn the corners and edges with doodles and stickers.
Step 2. Consider starting your journal with something important, like a quote or a poem
The act of writing something will help you overcome the anxiety of journaling for the first time. If you prefer, you can embellish the page further with doodles, drawings, or illustrations.
Step 3. Consider starting with a little information from yourself
This is a great way to start a journal that you plan to keep all year long. Include things like what you like, what you don't like, your hobbies, etc. This way, at the end of the year you can review the beginning of the journal and determine how much it has changed!
Step 4. Learn how to fix writer's block
If you don't know what to write, try to answer some general questions, such as what you are doing or feeling at that exact moment. You can also have a box full of strips of paper with words and directions for writing. If you don't know what to write, take a strip of paper from the box.
- You can get all kinds of directions for writing on the internet.
- Writing observations about the world and the people around you are wonderful ways to overcome writer's block.
Step 5. Get into the habit of writing every day
If possible, write at the same time every day. This can be an exact time, such as 9:00 p.m. m.; or a random one, such as "after dinner" or "upon awakening."
Step 6. Consider starting with an inexpensive notebook if you have a hard time making it with a more sophisticated one
Some people fear writing in a nice journal because they don't want to "screw it up." If you are one of these people, you might feel better writing in a simple and cheap notebook. Once you feel comfortable writing in one, you can do it in more expensive and sophisticated ones.
Step 7. Consider using a planner as a journal
An agenda can be a great journal! Instead of writing down your plans in each of the sections, write something about what you did, saw, or felt that day! Small spaces will force you to keep your writing focused and direct.
Advice
- Never write something that is not true! Later, you might think it was and make a mistake that could change your life forever.
- You can also draw and write poems, stories, or letters in your journal! Remember the title and the date!
- Do not write very secret things if you know that someone will be able to access the diary with ease! Make a fake journal and a real one. Write fake entries in the fake journal and leave it out in the open. When you find the person, they will be very embarrassed when they have to explain what they were doing. This will teach you a lesson!
- Read other people's journals for inspiration on how to write yours! A famous diary is that of Anne Frank, which you can find at your local bookstore or library.
- Write down the saddest things in your life first, so that everything is clear.
- Cover the journal with plastic so it doesn't get dirty.