A Simple Way to Balance Writing and Creative Journaling
If you enjoy both writing and creative journaling, you might have wondered how to fit the two together.
I’ve found I enjoy my journaling more when I keep things simple in my everyday pages… and have a separate space just for the creative side.
Keeping Everyday Pages Simple (and Creative Pages Separate)
In my daily journal or planner, I mostly just write. Lists, notes, a few thoughts about the day -whatever I need in the moment. I don’t try to make those pages decorative or layered.
Then alongside that, I keep my Mini BlendBook.
That’s where I bring in the paper, the layering, and all the little details I love.
My Mini BlendBook (where the creative pages live)
My Mini BlendBook isn’t about documenting my day in a structured way. It’s just a small space where I can make something simple and creative whenever I feel like it.
I keep it alongside my everyday journal as a separate place for creative pages, so I don’t feel like I have to fit that into everything else.
If you’re new to it, I’ve shared more about how I use my Mini BlendBook here:
Sometimes that’s a full page, sometimes it’s just a quick pocket or a few pieces layered together. There’s no pressure for it to be anything more than that.
This page is a good example of how I tend to use it.
A Simple Pocket Page Using Scraps and Word Strips
For this page, I kept everything really straightforward.
I made two small pockets using paper scraps from my stash, then layered in a few fussy cuts – a bird, some florals, and a little ladybug. Nothing too themed, just pieces that worked nicely together.
This page actually started with one of my Blend Prompts – the April create prompt, which was all about using layers. I layered torn paper first, then addied the pocket and a few fussy cuts over the top.
If you’d like to see the full set of April prompts, you can find them here.
Inside the pocket, I added a journaling card with the words “here and now”, along with a small strip that says “unhurried moments.”
On the page itself, I added a couple of simple word strips – “just be” and “pause and breathe.”
That’s it. No overthinking or complicated steps.
Why I Like Using Word Strips
Word strips are something I come back to a lot in pages like this.
They give the page a clear focus without needing to write a full journal entry. Sometimes I don’t want to add more words – I just want something simple that sets the tone.
They’re also really easy to work with:
- you can layer them over scraps
- tuck them into pockets or behind cards
- build a whole page around one phrase
- or combine a few to create a quiet theme
They take the pressure off having to come up with something to say, but still make the page feel complete.
Keeping Things Separate (and Why It Works for Me)
Keeping my everyday journaling and my creative pages separate just makes everything feel easier.
When I’m writing, I can focus on writing.
When I’m making something, I can enjoy that without watching the clock or trying to fit it into a functional page.
Both parts still exist, they’re just not competing with each other.
If You Want to Try This
If this feels like something you’d enjoy, you don’t need much to start:
- a small notebook for your creative pages
- a few paper scraps or leftover pieces
- some fussy cuts or simple decorations
- and a handful of word strips to pull from
You can keep it really simple and just build from there.
A Little Note on the Word Strips
The word strips and fussy cuts I used here are from my Mindful Journaling printable kit. I like having a sheet printed and nearby so I can just cut out a few whenever I’m making a page like this.
I’d love to know, do you like to mix creativity into your everyday journal pages…
or keep it as something separate? Let me know in the comments. 💛
Happy journaling x
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