CREATIVE JOURNALING FOR SELF-CARE

- a powerful tool to help you release emotions and improve mental health.

START HERE - FREE CLASS >>

Words & art heal

Dear you,
This is your invitation to unwind. To tap into your creativity within the pages of an art journal.
This is your permission to prioritise some ‘me-time’. To revel in a different kind of self-care.
This is your reminder that you do not need to be an ‘artist’ to enjoy and benefit from creativity.
Did you know that intentionally exploring and documenting your life through purposeful journaling prompts, mindful painting and collage is a powerful relaxation tool and anxiety & stress-relieving practice?
We know that journaling can be cathartic but our mission is to make it *easy too.*
This is your nudge to start now & feel the weight of the world lift away:

TAKE THE FREE CLASS

JUMP IN

CHOOSE YOUR JOURNALING JOURNEY

LEARN

**spark your creativity and make your first (or next) creative self care journal**
(discover the mindful magic of art journaling right now, with our free class)

VIEW ALL COURSES

EXPLORE

**grab a coffee (maybe a cozy blanket too) and discover the wellness benefits of creativity**
(weekly inspiration, tips, tutorials, stories, prompts and free resources)

READ THE BLOG

CREATE

**jump start your journal with our journal kits, ephemera packs and workshops**
(journaling prompts, printable backgrounds, courses & more)

coming soon

MORE KIND WORDS FROM OUR CUSTOMERS

Happy customers

“When I discovered creative journaling I felt drawn to it. It is a mix between art-making and journaling - two activities that I am fond of but didn't quite consider doing a combo before my discovery. I love how this course has reignited my passion for it and how it makes it seem easy, fun and doable. Thank you for your encouraging approach!”

Sanjida

“Thank you for these lovely digitals and the freebie. Appreciate your beautiful work”

Reema

“Claire shares her knowledge of color work, and self care, with an enormous heart, and passion for helping her students find a respite from this world full of "busy".
Come join in”

Blu

“Claire has a gift for explaining artistic pursuits in a gentle and applicable way, free of judgment and lofty goals. Her teaching goes straight to the marrow of your heart bringing out the artist in you that you knew was there, but needed some encouragement”

Beth

“Claire is awesome! She is so incredibly down to earth, and really connects with her people. She has made me feel so comfortable and has helped me a great deal”

Suzy

“Claire is the best! She connects things for you on a personal level. The community she creates feels supportive and encouraging. Her courses teach not only technique but how to use it in your self care. But more than the technique, she convinces you that you deserve self care”

Pam

“Claire is not only always personally encouraging, but the community she continues to create also full of interconnected encouragers! Thank you Claire, for all that you are doing! Knowing that you’re listening to your heart and having the courage to step out and work to make it happen is fantastic”

Marie

"For me your free course came along at a serendipitous moment--alignment of the stars kind of thing. I love your enthusiasm in your videos and I think you have a very cute personality which makes them easy to watch. You're thought-provoking, I like artist-teachers who get me thinking and examining my old patterns of thought and behavior."

MORE THAN JUST A BLOG.

this is YOUR LITTLE LIBRARY OF CREATIVE self-care TUTORIALS AND SO MUCH INSPIRATION!

GRAB A COFFEE AND DIVE IN.

blog

Journaling for Joy: 3 Ways to Make Your Journaling Practice More Fulfilling

Discover 3 powerful ways to make your journaling practice more joyful and fulfilling with a focus on mindfulness and wellness. From setting intentions to incorporating art journaling and embracing mindfulness, this blog post offers practical tips to help you break out of a journaling rut and boost your creativity and mental health.

5 reasons art journaling is not a therapeutic process for you YET

Discover the top 5 reasons why art journaling may not be providing therapeutic benefits for you just yet. Learn about common mistakes to avoid and how to approach this creative practice in a more intentional way to experience the mental and emotional benefits that art journaling can offer.

Discover 8 Unique Types of self-care Journaling: Which One Will Speak to You?

Journaling is a powerful tool for self-care and mental well-being, discover which one will work for you and how to incorporate it into your daily routine.

8 Types of Journaling for Self-Care: A Comprehensive Guide

4 Easy Tricks to Transform Your Creative Space into an Inspiring Haven

As a creative person, your workspace is a place of inspiration and creation. It's where your ideas come to life and where you bring your visions to fruition. So, why not make it a place that inspires you to be at your most creative?

Here are four simple ways to make your creative space more inspiring…

How to Practice Self Care with Creativity: The Art of Nurturing Your Heart and Mind

As our lives get busier and more stressful, it's important to take time for ourselves and practice self-care. But what is self-care, and how can we incorporate it into our daily lives?

That's where the ‘Art of Self-Care’ Journaling course comes in. Learn how to practice self-care through creativity with art journal therapy! Discover the healing power of art journaling for beginners and explore new art journaling ideas to nurture your heart and mind.

10 (EASY) WAYS TO BUILD AN EXCITING AND INSPIRING EPHEMERA STASH

Do you have a passion for scrapbooking, journaling, or mixed media art? Are you constantly on the hunt for new and exciting materials to use in your projects?

If so, you need an ephemera stash! Here is how to build a really good one - the easy way. Plus a FAQ section at the end.

How to Break the Rules, Crush Creative Block & Revolutionise Your Art Journaling Practice

Are you feeling stuck in your art journaling practice? Do you find yourself creating the same thing over and over again, unable to break out of your comfort zone?

It's time to break the rules, crush creative block, and revolutionize your art journaling practice. In this article, we will explore some tips and tricks to help you do just that.

Getting Started with Art Journal therapy: Tips and Tricks for Building a Habit

Are you ready to start art journaling but struggling to make it a consistent habit?

Art journaling and art journal therapy are wonderful ways to express yourself creatively and reflect on your life. But starting a new habit can be challenging, especially if you're not sure where to begin. Here are some tips and tricks to give you some art journaling ideas and keep the habit going.

THE JOURNAL CLUB: APRIL EDITION

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

JOIN THE JOURNAL CLUB - IT’S FREE!

COME BY EACH MONTH FOR A DIFFERENT THEME, JOURNALING PROMPT AND A HEAP OF INSPIRATION

THE JOURNAL CLUB: MARCH EDITION

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

WE’RE STARTING A NEW CLUB, JOIN US - IT’S FREE!

COME BY EACH MONTH FOR A DIFFERENT THEME, JOURNALING PROMPT AND A HEAP OF INSPIRATION

THE JOURNAL CLUB: FEBRUARY EDITION

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

FEBRUARY THEME: WITHDRAW & RESTORE

The hype of the holidays are over and if you’re like me you might have found yourself stuck back in the rut-race of life.

It’s easy to slip into that routine of catching back up, focusing on getting things done, getting some order back into the house, writing endless to-do lists…

3 ART JOURNALING RELATED QUESTIONS I GET ASKED ALL THE TIME

YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW IT’S DONE, WHAT I USE AND WHERE I GET THINGS FROM

HERE ARE THE (PROBABLY UNEXPECTED) ANSWERS TO 3 QUESTIONS I GET ASKED ALL TIME

THE ONLY ART SUPPLIES YOU NEED AS A BEGINNER TO CREATIVE JOURNALING

If you want to start creative journaling but don’t know where to start or feel overwhelmed by what supplies you might need then read on!

Creative journaling is not about using lots of expensive art supplies, here is a list of the basic supplies you need to get started.

THE ULTIMATE LIST OF ART JOURNALING IDEAS FOR WHEN YOU'RE FACED WITH CREATIVE BLOCK

A BUMPER LIST OF 20 ART JOURNALING IDEAS THAT ARE EASY TO DO, CATHARTIC AND CAN BE USED AGAIN AND AGAIN.

Plus a downloadable list to print and stick up in your creative space for quick reference, so you’ll never be stuck for art journaling ideas again.

MYTH BUSTING 3 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT CREATIVE JOURNALING

Want to start a new hobby this year? Try creative journaling

We’re all creative until we put restrictions on ourselves - don’t let these common misconceptions stop you from giving creative journaling a go.

THE JOURNAL CLUB: JANUARY EDITION

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

JANUARY THEME: UN-BECOMING

I think life might just be about continuously learning to simultaneously unfold and un-become. Learning to balance the . . .

THE JOURNAL CLUB DECEMBER EDITION

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

DECEMBER THEME: AN UN-HURRIED MOMENT

COME BY EACH MONTH FOR A DIFFERENT THEME, JOURNALING PROMPT AND A HEAP OF INSPIRATION

LOOK INSIDE MY CREATIVE JOURNAL THIS MONTH - NOVEMBER

This month was entirely focused on journaling and creating for the filming of my new course - Your Story of Self.

The creation of this journal and the underlying message of this course is to acknowledge that life’s greatest and most important adventure is the journey towards self-discovery and understanding who we really are. This is the sole reason I journal. I am in constant search of understanding of who I am and how I am evolving.

5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR JOURNAL FEEL LIKE YOUR SANCTUARY

GIVE YOUR JOURNAL SOME LOVE, SOME PERSONALITY AND SOME PURPOSE BEFORE YOU EVEN BEGIN TO CREATE IN IT

THIS IS HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR JOURNAL ON A DEEPER LEVEL FOR GREATER SELF-CONNECTION AND SELF-CARE

When your journal feels special to you, when it feels like an extension of you, that is when you can start getting the real wellness benefits back from your journaling time. When you create an inspiring and safe space for you to tap into your creativity and to lay yourself bare, your ideas and art and words will flow from you and onto those pages with ease.

THE JOURNAL CLUB: NOVEMBER EDITION

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

If you’re always preoccupied with and racing towards the next moment, what happens to the one you are in?

This month I encourage you to slow down and pay closer attention.

join the journal club for free writing & art making prompts

HERE IS YOUR EXCUSE TO SET ASIDE SOME TIME EACH MONTH TO UNWIND & DE-STRESS - CREATIVELY

WE’RE STARTING A NEW CLUB, JOIN US - IT’S FREE!

COME BY EACH MONTH FOR A DIFFERENT THEME, JOURNALING PROMPT AND A HEAP OF INSPIRATION

WHY I KEEP QUOTES IN MY CREATIVE JOURNAL (AND WHY YOU SHOULD TOO)

COLLECTING QUOTES IN YOUR JOURNAL CAN BE A SOURCE OF COMFORT.

WHEN YOU’RE STRUGGLING TO FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOU’RE FEELING, BORROW THE WORDS OF OTHERS TO HELP YOU EXPRESS YOURSELF.

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WELCOME TO THE ART ROOM

Hey! I am Claire Laraine, an art teacher and mental health support worker turned online course creator.
Words & art heal and I’m on a mission to live in a world where this kind of creativity is celebrated as a tool for wellness.
My courses help you tap into your creativity as a form of self-care, stress-relief and self-discovery, all while helping you prioritise ‘me time’.

LEARN MORE

WHAT IS CREATIVE JOURNALING?

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In its most simple form, a creative journal is a notebook that you fill with the bits of your life, it is your safe space to tell all your stories and heal your heart in the process.