Practicing What I Preach: Pocket Journals in Action

One of the best pieces of advice I give in my creative tours and classes is to capture the everyday in small, creative ways. Recently, I decided to take my own medicine. I printed out my own pocket journals—those little 4–8 page booklets I design and have at most of my classes and tours—and started using them to record my summer. From exploring my neighborhoods in San Francisco, to a whirlwind trip to Chicago including wandering the Art Institute museum, to soaking up summertime vibes at the State Fair, each experience now lives in a mini journal. I even started a weekly printable journal, a diary of sorts, just for my everyday routines—my walks, observations, some poetry, gratitude, a quick photo, a collage - the simple things that add up to a life.

What struck me most was how inspiring the process was. It didn’t take hours and I never aimed for perfection — just a few sketches, some noted memories, a business card from a restaurant, a random (sometimes humorous) observation. Looking back now, as the season shifts to fall, I’m amazed at how rewarding and colorful these little booklets feel. They’ve turned ordinary days, and a summer that I felt slipped away, into keepsakes, memories and souvenirs. Flipping through them is like reliving summer all over again, with a fresh perspective on how much I actually did experience in those short weeks.

This practice reminded me why I started making these journals in the first place and why I hand them out a almost all my classes and creative tours... these little booklets allow anyone to add creativity into daily life, to pause long enough to notice, and to keep a tangible record of it all. Now, inspired to keep going—I look forward to filling more pocket journals with fall’s colors, stories, and adventures.