Write to the Centre: Navigating life with gluestick and words
by Helen Lehndorf
Do you ever feel like you are a total weirdo? Like no one understands you, or if people knew what you really think, they might be horrified? Do you ever struggle to understand your own feelings and reactions to things and need a bit of help untangling them? I do, I do and I do. – Helen Lehndorf
This book. I don’t know where to start except to say that I love it. LOVE it.
Flipping through it simply to look at the gorgeous imagery is enough to inspire me – a few pages in and I’m itching to get out my journal, gluestick and paints, and get creating.
But the text itself is also inspiring. I’d describe it as part how-to, part memoir. The author shares excerpts from her own journal alongside guidance on journal-keeping. All her ideas and advice are illustrated by her own words from her own journals.
There’s just something so intimate and comforting about reading the words of another’s journals – something that tells you that you’re not alone in your feelings, experiences, views of the world. By the end of the book I feel like I know Helen – like I’ve met a kindred spirit on a journey similar to mine: someone trying to find their way in the world, using creative practice to make sense of it all.
She covers topics like getting started and making journaling a habit, allowing the ugly, navigating life transitions in your journal, processing pain, solving problems, creating rituals, appreciating the good. And each chapter ends with a unique and detailed journaling prompt to get you working in your own journal.
My favourite thing about this book is the imagery from Helen’s visual journals. It is an absolute feast for the eyes and soul; Helen’s distinctive and unique journaling style is colourful, messy and intuitive. She combines collage, painting and her handwriting to create honest and interesting journal pages (see more of her style here). It’s a great book to dip into for a creative boost.
You can grab your copy of the book here.
Giveaway
—- The giveaway is now closed —-
Helen has been generous enough to provide me with a copy to give away. I’m so thrilled to be able to do this because it is such a gorgeous book and it needs to be in the hands of every visual journaler. I’m also throwing in a set of watercolour paints to get you painting in your journal. Here’s how to enter:
- Share this post, or the image below on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+) or on your own blog
- Use the hashtag #writetothecentregiveaway
- Comment below (so I know you’ve shared it and I have a way to contact you!) telling me where you shared it and what you love most about journaling
- Closes August 31st midnight EST 2017
Full disclosure – I was sent a free copy of the book and asked to review it – but I had already purchased my own copy so that’s why I’m giving this copy away. Everything I’ve said in this review comes from my heart – I just adore the book and recommend it to any journaling enthusiast like myself.
journalwild.home.blog 
Shared on Pinterest. I love art journalling because it’s a way to tap into my hidden feelings without too much thinking and filtering.
LikeLike
Omigod I need this book – it looks fabulous, and right up my alley (of weird!). I’ve tweeted and will post on instagram when my phone recharges (sigh). I love the freedom that art journaling gives me to express what I’m feeling – it’s a safe place to vent, to whine, and create art just for the sake of creating. Thanks for a chance to win!
LikeLike
Hi, Jen!
I saved it on my Art Journal board on Pinterest. The thing I love most about journaling is being able to combine my artistic skills with a place for all the feelings I have about things. It’s just a good creative and emotional outlet for me.
LikeLike
Oh my!! I so want/need journal inspiration… I have the words in my head and heart, but nit sure how ti express it in my journal.. this book may hold the key to unlock the block. I have shared to Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+.
LikeLike
I shared on Facebook as it seemed the only option possible to my feeble brain!!! The thing I love most about journalling is how a bit of messing about can very quickly become a really beautiful page. Thanks Jen!!
LikeLike
I shared on Facebook. What I love most about jpornaling is being able to create with no right or wrong. Freedom of expression and artistic license!
LikeLike
Great review and this book looks fabulous!! Have shared on my facebook page and lnow others will love it too.
I am an inconsistent journaler, but love getting things out of my head and onto paper – it helps me figure things out if needed, or just give them a place to live outside of me.
LikeLike
This book looks amazing! I googled it and was saying how have I not heard of this before!
I shared on my toliveinspired page on Facebook.
LikeLike
Shared on FB as I cannot sufficiently describe the incredible gift that art journaling has become for me. Whether I am stimulated by prompts from others or working on my own inner dialog, I think everyone stands to benefit from this type of personal reflection.
LikeLike
I shared to Facebook. Thanks for the chance to win. I love journaling because it lets me express myself and gives me something to look back at later and remember the things I have done and what I have gone thru to make me who I am today
LikeLike
Thank you so much for having this giveaway. I read your blog and got so excited to read this book and learn about ways others art journal and to inspire me for new ideas. I would love to win the book and art goodies to get me started. I’ve shared on my pinterest. Thanks so much!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your talents with us and the opportunity to participate! I have shared news of your giveaway both in fb and tweeter.
What I love about journaling is the opportunity we get to improve everytime we do create something and how by keeping a journal we can look back and see how far we’ve come…
LikeLike
Shared on my Twitter and Facebook (@kimberlyFDR on both).
What I love most about journaling is that I get to document memories of events that I might otherwise forget. It’s not just the big events that need to be remembered, but the little day-to-day things that make my happy 🙂
LikeLike
The book sounds awesome Jen, have shared on Twitter
I love to journal because there is less chatter in my head, I can purge my emotions and I feel more capable after a good journaling session!
LikeLike
looks awesome ! Shared on Instagram. I love to get my feelings on paper.
LikeLike
Hi Jen!
Thank you for your kind giveaway. I’m only a newbie to art journaling so a book like this would do me wonders!! I’ve shared the giveaway on Pinterest!
LikeLike
I shared this post on Twitter and Pinterest. Journaling helps me clear my head, make decisions, and live mindfully. I use it to reflect on my day and decide on intentions. I even use it to coach myself sometimes. So far, I tend to write my journal pages. Would love to try art journaling because it would benefit my creativity.
LikeLike
Hi! I shared on Twitter. This book looks amazing and seems like just the inspiration I need. I like journaling because it’s my way of doing a brain dump. From it I can really see what I’m feeling, what’s impacting me, and to express myself.
LikeLike
Shared on my facebook page. My fav thing about journaling is that it’s a safe place to experiment and express myself however pleases me.
LikeLike
Looks like a cool book! I posted to my Facebook with a picture and link to your site.
LikeLike
What an interesting book. i love to journal and I love to do art, so I combine the two and do art journaling. My grand daughters and I have a book that we draw and write to each other in and it is a fun way to communicate. I think it will be a nice keepsake later as well. I also love to do nature journals, my garden and veggie garden are for ever changing and I love to record the new flowers and new bugs. I would like to be able to journal more regularly, I need to make it second nature. Thanks for the chance to win this great book.
~Gin K.~
LikeLike
oh wow! that looks amazing! Even if I don’t win, I’d buy my own copy also. Thanks for sharing. I’ve posted the giveaway here https://www.facebook.com/pg/RobinPichelmayerArts
LikeLike
I have shared on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. What a wonderful book review, I can’t wait to get my teeth into this one! I’m a fairly new convert to art journaling (2 years) and what I love most is how the journal becomes your best buddy. It is a place or space where your heart, body and mind come together in a whirlpool of glorious intentions, frustrations, confessions, whispers, shouts, secrets, declarations and serendipity – self expression sprinkled with colour, letters and love. ❤️
LikeLike
I shared this on Facebook. I love to journal — both writing and art journaling — because it helps me rediscover myself. And because it’s a creative outlet
LikeLike
I have shared via twitter @ https://twitter.com/ariestess69/status/897302450310217729
What I love most about journaling is seeing how what rattles around in my head and heart can be transformed on the page as a permanent reminder of what happened in my life and what needed my focus at any given moment.
LikeLike
Great review! I was happy to share it.
LikeLike
I Love Love Love this too, I so understand you! I so want to win this😉 shared it on my fb
I love your newsletters and enjoy your ideas,
ThanK you so much for sharing them.
Dutch greetings to you!
Jenny Noorloos
LikeLike
Hi Jen! Shared on Facebook! Kate Bedell
LikeLike
I’ve pinned it to my Pinterest (Art) Journal board to remind me and others of the beauty of creativity and the possible connection right to your inner voice and heart.
I really love the images you’ve shared from the book (I’m a visual person ;)) and your review makes me want to go back to journalling more and maybe try it with the help of this book… Might bring me back on the right track? In my teens I journaled A LOT (I’ve got tons of notebooks filled with words) but later on I didn’t find the time and didn’t see how it would help me. I tried a bit of art journaling recently, but also gave up even though the creativity in it was fulfilling. And here I am now, hopefully taking the time to start anew.
Thanks for bringing this book to us !!!
LikeLike
Hi Jenn!
I love everything about journaling. It’s how I get in touch with my intuition, get rid of grief and anxiety, and frees up my creativity. I couldn’t live without my journals – the plain wordy ones or the cut and paste arty ones.
PS – I just posted on Insta 😉💕
X Jen
LikeLike
Shared to FB. I love, love, love Journaling! I love that there are no rules. And I love how it makes me feel – the visual/emotional link that releases pure joy in my heart – not just when I’m creating but also afterwards when I pore over my pages, running my fingers over the creases, textures and imperfections. Pure heaven. Lol
LikeLike
I love writing, art, and especially collage and making little books and journals!! I’ve tweeted and pinned this post!! My normal personal email is lindaogier@gmail.com Thank you for this chance!
LikeLike
I have shared it via Facebook.
What I love the most about journaling is that it reduces my stress and it takes my mind off. After journaling I feel refreshed and energised 🙂
LikeLike
Shared on Instagram @mamakayscrazydays . The book really looks neat! Thanks for the chance to win it!
LikeLike
I shared this on Twitter(@artfullyjonesy). The best thing I have found about journaling is simple: finding myself. There are things I can’t always say out loud, or may not even realize, but it all comes to the surface in my journal. It’s invaluable. I would love to learn new techniques for making the magic happen.
LikeLike
Love the title of this book. Using watercollours isnt my go to but wish i was better at them. Nothing like practice I guess.
LikeLike
I shared this on Facebook. This book showed up at the perfect time, just before the start of the school year.. I want to start a quiet journaling practice in the evening to help leave the stressors of teaching behind. This fabulous book is perfect to keep me inspired. Thank you so much for this offer!
LikeLike
I don’t journal but have a friend who does and it is beautiful! I have thought about trying it out for myself and this seems like a great opportunity.
LikeLike
I shared on FB.
LikeLike
I have shared on facebook and would love to win a copy of this book.
I do not journal on a regular basis. but when I do I enjoy the ability to express my feeling in mostly art with some words. The visual reminds me of feelings faster than words most of the time.
LikeLike
I shared on FB, IG and Twitter. This book looks so amazing! What I love best about journaling….Hmmm. What DON’T I love?! It centers and relaxes me; gets my creative juices flowing; it’s complete Me Time; and helps me think through problems. I’ve been doing it in some way, shape or form for over 30 years.
LikeLike
Hi – great review – the book looks just like my kind of thing!! I’ve shared on my Facebook profile :o)
Stefanie x
LikeLike
I shared on Instagram my account name is
Ajsdiy and u can text me at(713) 501-6863
LikeLike
Thanks for the review, Jen. This book looks really interesting. I’ve posted your giveaway on my Instagram account.
What I love about journaling is that it’s like a faithful companion. After having had a hiatus away from my journaling, I’ve realised it’s still there for me. Waiting with open arms. Waiting for me to come back to my self. There are no rules. No ‘shoulds’ or ‘musts’. No pressure. I can just hang out and be. No matter how crappy I feel. 😊
LikeLike
I posted this to Instagram. Thanks a lot for the chance to win this book. It looks fabulous! I have not been good at journaling consistently and I always need new inspiration to motivate me.
LikeLike
Shared on Twitter @straitlinesgirl
I have been journalling since I was 10 years old & I love looking back at the person I was and what I was doing years ago, as well as seeing how much I’ve changed 😍
LikeLike
I shared the post and your blog on my Pinterest journaling board @zoeboboe
Journaling is my secret garden. It brings me so much joy and life and when things don’t quite feel right, journaling always helps me to re-focus and feel better. Journaling provides me with a safe place to dump all of my thoughts and ideas and use my artistic talents in a way that is fulfilling and meaningful to me. Since I started journaling, I feel like my life has improved so much and it never feels like a chore to write or create in my journal. Truthfully, it feels just as relaxing as a nice DIY spa day–for me, journaling is about self-care and self-love.
LikeLike
Jen,
I really like what you are doing with your blog and your enthusiasm for journaling. I shared this post on my Google+ and Pinterest accounts.
I used to journal intermittently by only writing with pen and paper, no drawings or color, very basic, and I wondered why I kept stopping!?Finding mixed media journaling allows me to express myself completely and honestly, to recognize the ups and downs of life, and to reflect on those times in a beautiful way. It is the breakthrough I need to connect with and review all aspects of my life from a loving perspective and remember to awknowledge the good and the bad that make me who I am from a place of gratitude. I love journaling this way as a reminder that the world is not all black and white but a spectrum of color. Today, I can’t imagine life without journaling. No stopping now! 🙂❤️
LikeLike
Shared on Pinterest. I want to keep a journal, but haven’t found an approach that works for me. This book looks like a combination that may work–Creative Thoughts.Not sure where that will go, but I’m excited to jump in and start painting!
LikeLike
Hi Jen,
I shared this on Instagram and Facebook. I really want this book!!! I live in the USA, so the cost is a lot for me. Thanks for offering a review and giveaway!! The watercolor set is a great addition, too.
All of my best,
Briana of OrangeSpiralArts.com (aka @brianacreates on Instagram)
LikeLike
I’ve shared on Facebook and via email to extra coworkers and family!
I’m using these journaling ideas to delve into the past with a new perspective of healing. I’d love this book. If I don’t win, it’s going on my Christmas list!!
LikeLike