Back to the Journaling Project: Or the tyranny of choice and ADHD

So I've wanted to do a journal for a long time that is written on paper and not just blogging. But I also thought it would make more sense if it fulfilled somehow my art outlet needs some, writing needs, and most importantly organizing needs. Now I'm trying to decide if that's even possible or asking too much. I don't know yet so I'm gathering information when I should be either typing notes or painting the view but it's my birthday so I'm doing whatever I feel like! So there!

So first I saw and bought this book at Joann's.
No Excuses Journaling and I've been investigating her system. But it definitely led to some OCD moments trying to pick just the right journal to be the base of this project. And I could see it getting pricey. But great ideas and inspiration.

Then when it comes to improving organization and my love of graph paper I saw this on youtube and thought this is a great system and can be done in any kind of notebook for the planning your day, week part, and this method is called the Bullet Journal. Follow link to see youtube video on how to do this. I decided this was way too OCD for me.

So can I combine the art part of the first with the planning/organizing part of the second and not have it be 5 inches thick? Maybe it would be 3 months at a time if it got too big? And then in true ADHD fashion I stumble on this project. 

The Documented Life Project

I completely understand the problem.... The Tyranny of Choice. Those of us with ADHD are haunted constantly by this issue. It is so often paralyzing. And unfortunately on this day, my birthday, I'm right there. 

OK I think I have a plan. I will use the Documented Life Project approach to making the physical planner but may go for one that can be connected by rings like No Excuses uses. I'll use the Bullet Journal Method for organizing my tasks and day to day needs and thoughts. I may take my current planner I have in my purse and take the pages out to do the "assignments" in NO excuses and paste into a Moleskin book with graph paper so I can do all 3 things together and then as Journals fill up I just get new Moleskin book and away I go. Ok so time to do a few notes for work.

Art Journaling and the name Jeanna, Gina, Eugenia

So it's Jeanna Fearon's fault that she got me thinking about doing an art journal of sorts. And then I saw this book called No Excuses Journaling which I bought but then OCD kicked in and I started this obsessed search for the perfect journal to draw on last night on the internet and was up until 2:30 am. Shoot!

So I'm curious to what Jeanna will think about this. I don't want to get caught up in the regimen so much so that it becomes perfectionistic, I just want a way to do art daily without always having to make a mess BUT I also need some structure to get me started or I stare at blank pages. And since the No Excuses artist is also named Gina I could name my project Jumping Gina's.... haha  Which lead me to what does that name mean (obviously OCD worn off, ADHD kicked in)

From http://www.babynamespedia.com/meaning/Gina

Gina is a widely used name; it has 31 variant transcriptions. Variation transcriptions of Gina includeGeana, Geanndra, Geenah, Geina, Genae, Genah, Genai,Genalyn, Genea, Geneene, Geneja, Genelle, Genette,Genia, Gin, Ginai, Ginamaria, Gineen, Ginelle, Ginette,Ginna, Gyna, Jeana, Jeanna, Jeena, and Jena. Other English forms include the spelling variants Geanna,Geena, Gena (used in French as well), Ginah, and Jina. Variant forms inherit both the origin and meaning of Gina.

Which then lead to me reading the Gina is also a derivative of Eugenia, then I thought oh like my dad Eugene... sigh. I miss him everyday. Thus 5 minute peek into my brain. Disturbing I know. 

So back to my art journal quest. Perhaps if time and because I forgot to bring my white paint, I will run to Dick Blick or Michael's today and get some paint and a journal. I'd prefer one I could use my Copic markers in as I love them so much. But that requires some fancy paper. I can always use marker paper and get a fancy punch and put it in if I go with one of these ARC or Circa journals.

Oh and look at this cool diagram:

Oh and I really have Gina on the brain because everyone also needs to pray for a patient of mine named Gina that's in the hospital in critical care. Her husband said ask everyone to pray so put her on your list. I've known her since 2000 and she needs all the help she can get right now.

Jeanna, Gina, Eugene.... 

Painting the view

I am attempting to paint our view today.

So far it's going ok I guess. Trying to keep it loose for now.