The Wonder of a Blank Page

 My daughter showed interest in drawing and colouring at an early age. As an artist-influenced household, we were pleased to see the brainwashing settling in. 

An acquaintance of ours, who also noticed her early talents, told us: “Make sure you let her colour outside of the lines.”  I passed it off at the time as more parenting advice I didn’t care for.

As time passed and we allowed her to explore multiple mediums, I watched her drawing develop into something I never imagined at her age. For every path she explored, there was a newfound learning experience, a new outcome, and a new challenge that awaited. Her wonderment continues, and she motivates me to remain unrestrictive in my creative life whenever possible.  

Before my “WOW moment,” I was afraid to write and struggled with journaling. In particular, I could not keep a journaling routine to save my life. I tried many different types of journaling formats and styles. I tried journaling prompts. I tried loosey-goosey and rigid types of journals.  Nothing stuck.

My “WOW moment” involved a pen and a blank sketchbook. I picked up the sketchbook because it was closest to me, and I wanted to capture the words quickly.

In addition to the “moment,” it was the instrument - an empty sketchbook - that changed the way I write forever.  It unleashed a spirited side I didn’t know existed and helped establish a daily writing ritual I’ve maintained for over two years.

I enjoy the tactile nature of handwriting on a textured page. I do not feel restricted to begin on page one or at the top left corner. I’m fond of experimenting with different media types to record my thoughts and ideas in addition to various layouts.

My handwritten journal is a way of sharing playful, iterative expressions of my thoughts and ideas expressed into words. 

Fast-forward to Summer 2023. I purchased a new, smaller book to replace my journal while travelling.  I was excited to find a Wonder Woman book at the store. It gave me that fuzzy superhero girl-power feeling… until I arrived home. 

I wanted a book that gave me that extra oomph when looking at it.  Wonder Woman did no such thing once I cracked it open. 

Freestyle writing and journaling in this book were painful.  I did not expect the struggle to fill the pages during my road trip. I was beyond happy when I returned home to my sketchbook. 

Why did I struggle with lines?

• Is it the lack of flexibility? With a blank page, there are no restrictions other than what’s in my mind. I can pivot to the writing style I want… or not write at all (doodle/sketch). 

• Am I a secret doodler or artist at heart? I live with two talented artists who love drawing. Having a sketchbook at hand may represent a deep-rooted craving for drawing that I have yet to explore beyond my stick figures. 

• Do lines represent a deeper representation of past experiences of conforming to what others wanted me to be, do, or think? By staying outside the lines, am I giving myself the freedom to be more of myself? 

• Is this struggle, in fact, a fear of feeling restricted to create in the way others wanted me to? 

I used to dread the blank page, yet struggled with templated journals. Looking back, I may have viewed templated journals and lined books as another form of control measure, telling me that my words were not good enough and it was better to conform to how others wanted me to fit into their paradigm. “Just check these boxes and don’t speak, thank you. Don’t speak at all.” Don't speak = don't write. 

Lines are (obviously) linear and one-directional. I want to have the flexibility of living in a multitude of directions. Being in the present moment is not a linear experience. I want to use writing tools that will help me explore beyond the linear. 

Summer 2023 was a tipping point in my creative exploration. I did not want to fear LINES anymore. Yet, I needed to explore beyond the lines before appreciating what was within. Autumn 2023 brought a new sense of wonder for what I once thought restrictive. Today, lined notebooks and templated pages have specific places in my creative journey. 

I have books with lines. They're NOT journals. I prefer smaller notebooks for courses or learning new things. I still carry tiny, lined notebooks in my purse to capture ideas on the go.  Wonder Woman still lives… as a notebook for writing workshops. 

I have recently experimented with formatted journals again. I don't run from them anymore and see the benefits from a few versions I have tried.  None of them have stuck, but at least I’m trying without cursing (loudly) or breaking down into tears. I also experiment with NOTION for bullet journaling (digitally, with my phone). With daily writing and exploring other tools, I can appreciate more how templated journals and notebooks can work better in different scenarios and for different people. 

Many moons ago, I would be afraid to share. I would allow people-pleasing to direct my writing to a point where I expressed only a part of my true self.  I can't write from my gut when others tell me what to write.

Lines guide me but will not contain all the creativity that may remain in my mind. There is room to explore within and outside the lines. 

I would have never attempted different writing forms or tools if I felt pressured to stay within a specific style or format. I don't see myself moving away from sketchbooks any time soon. Yet, I do feel the need once in a while to try new things as a reminder of why sketchbooks still work for me. Like my daughter, I continue to wonder and grow in my craft as I explore various methods.

Artists and creatives will test the boundaries of their craft as they share their unique gifts with the world.  Some may discover they create best within the lines, while some work best beyond. There is also room for both. Do what works best for you while exploring your true self.

There are no limits with a blank page other than the ones we impose on it. Be free to explore when creating at your own comfort level. Remain open to seeing beyond the lines. You never know what new technique, method, or story is on the other side.

Be bold and brave, fellow creatives.

Nadine