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One of the things I did when I returned from ArtFest was repurpose my old, barely-used sketchbooks into art journals. This is the one I’m in now. It’s small (9X6), so I thought I could use it for funky lists and teeny collage bits.
It’s been a hard summer, bipolar-wise. The rapid cycling twirls like a toddler in a tutu. The mixed states tumble around like Bingo balls. I’m a little dizzy from all that brain-flux. And discouraged.
I’ve learned a lot from all these years of Bipolar Bad-Assery and Radical Acceptance. I’m much kinder to myself and able to be whatever my brain chemistry dictates. But some days are just God-awful. Period.
So, I wanted to use my journal as a more deliberate form of therapy. I decided on trying An Alphabet of Gratitude.
Each spread has a side for a list of what I’m grateful for (all starting with the same letter) and a side to create some little piece of art relating to the list. I made pretty paper out of my parent’s old farm ledgers, painted the 26 spreads funky colors and textures, then started pondering the positives in my life.
There’s a lot. We all have tons of wonderful things, people, places, talents, events that are easy to forget in this weird world. And because I have a whole page to fill with all the same letter, some of my treasures get ridiculous and very specific, which tickles me. Laughing is a good thing for persistent bipolarism. Laughing is good for everything.
I work on it every day, writing down random loves and appreciation. It doesn’t take away The Black, but it does help me pull in The Light. I can sit with that feeling of thankfulness and let it soak into my dry and sere places. It’s enough to get me through to the next day, which is all I need. Because with twirling and tumbling, a shift in mood is only a letter away.
SandySue Altered
A Mind Divided 
Aug 25, 2016 @ 08:48:47
Your attitude and grit in the face of ongoing challenges is a source of constant inspiration, Sandy. Full. Stop.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:22:43
Oh, that Kaniganism! It always makes me giggle. So, that is a great gift today, Lori, thank you.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 18:48:18
Glad that I could give you a smile, Sandy. And speaking of smiles, I got my cards yesterday…love them!! 😊
Aug 28, 2016 @ 06:21:51
Oh, Yipee! That makes me happy.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 09:24:19
Sandy, you are so, so creative – with your art, with your approach to your life. What a fabulous project. I am in awe. 🙂
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:21:48
Awe? Ahhhhh.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 10:42:08
Gorgeous! 😀 I love these 🙂
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:20:47
Thank you, sweat Violet. Gramma and I always put violets in our May Day baskets. Bless you for always reminding me of her.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 12:12:38
Marvelous! I particularly like the Focus and Size of the books because “just journaling” is too vast a chaotic landscape for me to CHOOSE what to focus on, even for a wee bit…which I know will go on and on in indecision. So, Marvy!
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:19:47
I started with what I had, then figured it out. Isn’t that our way?
Aug 25, 2016 @ 12:32:20
Genius. Gratitude explosion. Wonderful.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:19:12
Gotta Quote ol’ Plato on that: Necessity is the Mother of Invention.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 15:38:43
Beautiful use of the sketch pads, always LOVE the way you create pretty paper.
Here is to loads of Laughter and Light.
I know someone I would add to my ‘S’ gratitude journal!
Love you, Lady. Karen
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:17:40
And you’re already on my “k” page. 🙂
Aug 25, 2016 @ 17:52:21
You are so creative.
“It doesn’t take away The Black, but it does help me pull in The Light.” I love how optimistic this is worded.
Aug 28, 2016 @ 06:23:03
I know you know optimism is hard to come by sometimes. It’s so easy to slip into the either/or, black/white thinking. I’m always hunting for the gray.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 19:32:20
This blog post helped me with issues I am dealing with. I hope/wish that I could take this gratitude idea and make it my own. Time will tell. Thank you for the inspiration!
Aug 28, 2016 @ 06:21:26
Like one of the artists at ArtFest told me—Keep it simple.
Aug 25, 2016 @ 20:06:00
I’m going to “borrow” this idea. I love it! I will probably not do much if any artwork as you know I can’t draw a stick person or a straight line, but you never know…
Aug 28, 2016 @ 06:20:47
Doodles. A new pen. A fun, new notebook. Anything to make it feel special.
Sep 19, 2016 @ 04:52:15
I’m inspired by the alphabet prompt, and the reminder to appreciate our strengths
Sep 20, 2016 @ 10:04:11
I think we all need that nudge once in a while.
Sep 24, 2016 @ 16:53:11
That’s a wonderful idea and what a great way to create a Gratitude Journal! I wouldn’t have thought to use art in a Gratitude Journal! It’s great to see other sufferers work to see what techniques other’s use for coping with the symptoms etc…
Sep 24, 2016 @ 18:11:09
We can all learn from each other. I love how artists share.