Adult Journaling: Mixed-Media Journaling With Pictures, Color, and Words
A page can hold more than sentences. A ticket stub from a concert, a photo of your grandchild, a pressed flower from a walk, a swatch of your favorite color, or a quick sketch of your kitchen table can tell a story that is hard to put into words. Mixed-media journaling puts all of it on one page.
Mixed-media journaling combines pictures, colors, objects, and words on the same page. It is part scrapbook, part art journal, and part diary. It can help you remember your life, express your feelings, and play, all at once.
This post is part of our Adult Journaling series. It explains what mixed-media journaling is, why it can support healing, and how to start with simple supplies and easy page ideas.
What Is Mixed-Media Journaling?
"Mixed media" means using more than one kind of material. In a mixed-media journal, you might use:
Words, written by hand or printed
Photos, printed from your phone
Paint, markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Paper scraps, like receipts, tickets, labels, and wrappers
Stickers, tape, and stamps
Fabric, ribbon, or string
Natural items, like leaves or flowers
There is no right combination. Each page can look different. Some may be mostly words with a small photo. Others may be mostly color with just one word.
Why Mixed-Media Journaling Supports Healing
Mixed-media journaling gives you many ways to express yourself. That is especially helpful when:
Words feel hard. You can use pictures and colors instead.
You want to remember good moments. Saving small items helps you hold on to joy.
You need to slow down. Cutting, arranging, and gluing can be calming.
You want to see your story. A page full of images and words can show you how far you have come.
You want to play. Creative play can bring relief on heavy days.
The University of Rochester Medical Center notes that journaling can help you manage stress and understand your thoughts and feelings. The American Art Therapy Association describes how creative expression can help people explore feelings and improve well-being. Mixed-media journaling brings both ideas together.
What You Need to Get Started
You do not need a craft store's worth of supplies. Start with a few basics:
A sturdy notebook with thick pages, like a sketchbook
A glue stick and clear tape
Scissors
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
A small envelope or folder to collect scraps
Let's Do the Math on a Starter Kit
Sketchbook: $8
Glue stick and tape: $4
Washi tape (decorative tape): $3
Markers: $6
Photo prints: 10 photos at about $0.30 each = 10 × $0.30 = $3
Total: $8 + $4 + $3 + $6 + $3 = $24.
If you make 2 pages a week, a 60-page sketchbook lasts 60 ÷ 2 = 30 weeks, which is more than half a year. That works out to about $24 ÷ 30 = $0.80 a week.
Using Digital Tools to Create Physical Pages
Your phone can be a helpful tool for mixed-media journaling.
Print your photos. Many stores and online services print small photos cheaply. Some small home printers make sticker photos.
Print words or quotes. Type a quote or a short sentence, print it, cut it out, and glue it in.
Use free design apps to make simple labels, borders, or backgrounds you can print.
Screenshot meaningful messages and print them, like a kind text from a friend.
Mixing digital and handmade pieces lets you use what you have and make your pages feel personal.
Making Your Journal Tactile and Interactive
One of the fun parts of mixed-media journaling is making pages you can touch and open.
Pockets
Glue an envelope or a folded piece of paper to a page to create a pocket. Inside, you can keep ticket stubs, notes, cards, or private writing you do not want to show.
Flaps
Tape a piece of paper along one edge so it lifts like a door. Write something under the flap, like a feeling, a hope, or a secret.
Fold-Outs
Glue a long strip of paper to the edge of a page and fold it in. When you unfold it, you have more space for a timeline or a list.
Texture
Add fabric, ribbon, lace, or a pressed leaf. Feeling different textures can make journaling more grounding and calming.
Two Easy Page Styles to Try
Here are two very different styles. Try both and see which feels more like you.
The Joyful Chaos Page
This style is busy, colorful, and full. It is perfect for people who have a lot going on and love seeing everything at once.
Layer photos, scraps, stickers, and tape.
Write short notes in the open spaces.
Use bright colors and lots of pieces.
Do not worry about lining things up.
A chaos page can feel like a snapshot of a full, busy life.
The Calm Minimal Page
This style uses lots of empty space and only a few items. It is perfect for people who feel overwhelmed and want quiet.
Choose one photo or one small object.
Add one or two colors.
Write one sentence or a few words.
Leave plenty of white space.
A minimal page can feel peaceful, like taking a deep breath.
Mixed-Media Page Ideas
Here are some ideas to get you started:
A memory page: One photo, one ticket or receipt, and a few words about what that day meant.
A mood page: Colors and magazine cutouts that match how you feel this week.
A gratitude page: Pictures of things you are thankful for, with one sentence for each.
A "season of life" page: Images and words that show where you are right now.
A hope page: Pictures of what you want for your future.
A healing page: Something that represents what you are letting go of, covered with something that represents what you are welcoming in.
A people page: Photos or names of people who support you.
Prompts for Mixed-Media Journaling
What small object from this week tells a story?
What colors match my mood today?
What do I want to remember about this season of my life?
What picture shows what I hope for?
What would I put in a pocket to keep private?
What words would I add to this photo if I could only use five?
Tips for Getting Started and Staying Inspired
Start a scrap envelope. Keep tickets, wrappers, and cards in one place as you go through your week.
Do not wait for the perfect item. Use what you have.
Work in layers. Start with color, then add pictures, then add words.
Set a time limit. Thirty minutes is enough for one page.
Let some pages be unfinished. You can come back later.
Look back often. Flipping through your pages can lift your mood and remind you of good days.
When Pages Bring Up Feelings
Photos and keepsakes can bring up strong memories, both happy and painful. If a page makes you sad, it is okay to stop, take a breath, and come back later. If you are grieving, you might make a memory page slowly, a little at a time. Be gentle with yourself.
Mixed-Media Journaling for Special Seasons
Mixed-media journaling can help you mark important seasons of life.
Grief and Remembering
Create a memory page for someone you have lost. Include a photo, a card in their handwriting, a recipe they made, or a color they loved. Write a few words about what you miss and what you want to remember. You can add to the page slowly over time.
Big Life Changes
If you are going through a divorce, a move, a new job, or retirement, make a "before and after" spread. On one page, show your old season. On the facing page, show what you hope for in your new one.
Health Journeys
If you are facing an illness or recovery, keep appointment cards, get-well notes, and small victories in your journal. Over time, your pages can show how much you have been through and how strong you are.
Celebrations
Birthdays, graduations, holidays, and trips make wonderful mixed-media pages. Save tickets, wrappers, and photos, and write a few words about the best part of the day.
A Simple Layering Method
If you are not sure how to put a page together, try building it in three layers:
Layer 1, the background: Add a color, a piece of patterned paper, or a wash of light paint.
Layer 2, the pictures and pieces: Glue on photos, scraps, and cutouts.
Layer 3, the words: Add a few words, a short paragraph, or a quote.
Working in layers keeps you from staring at a blank page. Each layer takes about 10 minutes, so a full page takes about 3 × 10 = 30 minutes.
Where to Find Free Mixed-Media Materials
You do not need to buy much. Many great materials are already around you:
Junk mail with interesting colors or patterns
Old greeting cards and postcards
Food labels, tea tags, and candy wrappers
Maps, brochures, and church bulletins
Pages from old calendars
Leaves, flowers, and feathers from walks
Fabric scraps and buttons
Your children's or grandchildren's drawings, with their permission
Keep a small box or envelope for these finds. When you sit down to make a page, you will already have a pile of treasures waiting.
Protecting Your Pages
Mixed-media pages can get bulky. To keep your journal in good shape, use a glue stick instead of liquid glue on thin paper, press heavy pages under a book overnight, and leave a few blank pages between thick spreads so the journal can close.
Your Journal Tells Your Story
Over time, a mixed-media journal becomes more than a notebook. It becomes a record of your life, with its colors, people, places, and feelings all in one place. Years from now, you or someone you love may flip through it and see not just what happened, but how it felt. That is a gift worth starting today, one page at a time.
Small Steps for Mixed-Media Journaling
The heart of Surviving Life Lessons is breaking big problems into small, manageable steps. SMART goals are goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Mixed-media journaling is easy to start with small steps. Here are some SMART-style examples:
"By Saturday, I will gather a sketchbook, glue, tape, and scissors in one box."
"This week, I will start a scrap envelope and add at least three items."
"By the end of the month, I will print five photos and use them on two pages."
"For the next four weeks, I will make one mixed-media page every Sunday."
"This month, I will try both a joyful chaos page and a calm minimal page."
If a step feels too big, make it smaller. If a time frame feels too short, give yourself more time.
Making These Steps Fit Your Life
Everyone's creative style is different. Some people love full, busy pages, while others need calm, simple ones. Some have time for long creative sessions, while others only have a few minutes. Choose what fits your life right now. You can also learn from others. That is why we have free community groups, where people share their creative journaling ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mixed-media journaling?
It is journaling that combines words with pictures, colors, and objects like photos, tickets, and paper scraps.
Do I need art skills for mixed-media journaling?
No. You can use photos, cutouts, and simple colors. It is about expression, not skill.
What supplies do I need?
A sturdy notebook, glue, tape, scissors, and some markers or crayons are enough to start.
How do I add photos to my journal?
Print photos from your phone at a store, online, or with a small home printer, then glue or tape them in.
What can I put in a journal pocket?
Ticket stubs, notes, cards, small keepsakes, or private writing you want to keep tucked away.
Can mixed-media journaling help with stress?
Many people find the slow work of cutting, arranging, and coloring calming and relaxing.
This post shares general information and personal experience. It is not counseling or medical advice. If you are struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional.
Where to Go From Here
Writing is easier to keep up when you have a community around you. At Surviving Life Lessons, we believe in life survivors helping life strugglers. Our Journaling & Writing for Healing Group is a place to write and share with others who understand, and our Self-Help Book Club for Healing group is a place to talk about the books that help you heal. You can also browse our Community Groups Catalog to find every group that fits where you are right now.
Next, read Adult Journaling Series: A Guide to Journal Types That Fit You or Adult Journaling: Art Journaling for Emotions When Words Are Hard.
Your Story Matters
We need your nice comments below! Your thoughts, experiences, and lessons learned might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.
Drop a comment, Say Hello, and join the conversation.
Need More Personalized Support?
Everyone's journey is unique. If you're looking for personalized guidance, encouragement, or one-on-one support, explore our services to find the option that's right for you. We're here to help you take your next step with confidence and hope.
Helpful Resources for Your Journey
Explore our collection of books, journals, coloring books, and printable PDFs designed to encourage, inspire, and support you every step of the way.
If you are in crisis or need someone right now: Crisis Support Resources and Hotlines
References
American Art Therapy Association: About Art Therapy: https://arttherapy.org/about-art-therapy/
University of Rochester Medical Center: Journaling for Mental Health: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1
American Psychological Association: Building Your Resilience: https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience/building-your-resilience
About the Author:
Deborah Ann Martin is the founder of Surviving Life Lessons, a published author, poet, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of management experience across multiple industries. An MBA graduate, U.S. veteran, single mother, and rare cancer survivor, Deborah brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her writing on resilience, leadership, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Her mission is to empower others with practical wisdom and real-life insight to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose.
.png){kind=small}
Comments