Stress Relief in the Wintertime

Lately, I've been struggling with anxiety more than I ever have in the past twenty-five years. In the good old days, I used to create more art, too. So, I figured I would make a little collagey book, kind of like a journal, and in it, explore my anxiety and ways that I can overcome it.

Here it is, size 6.5"x8", and made from photos, vintage magazine clippings, and a little extra fun stuff like paint, fabric, and tape.

Comments

[Hannah B.]

That is just plain *gorgeous,* Mandi!
What a great way to overcome the winter blues :)

[Becky]

I love your scrap-booking style. You've just inspired me to try it again. I love the collage aspects particularly.

[Victory Garden Yarn]

I LOVE this. I've been getting a bit anxious and stressed out lately myself...and even though I make things for others as my main job, I really REALLY have to remind myself to make something for me once in awhile. At the first of the year I decided that weekends and evenings will be devoted to 'me-projects' and I really think it's helping me relax a bit!

Your book there is giving me inspiration to pull out my fabric stash and perhaps get to know my sewing machine... :)

[Becky]

I am sorry to hear that you have been so anxious lately but I think this is one of the best uses of scrap-booking I have seen in a long time! I really, really do find beauty in the creativity we explore as we heal. In my times of anxiety, I make paper cranes! Lovely post, thank-you.

[Heather Anne Brenden]

I love this! I struggle with anxiety & SAD every year and I have to try really hard to keep making art. <3

[Moorea Seal]

I love this.
I've been experiencing a lot of anxiety and depression lately too, and it feels unjustified. well, i am hyper busy, but i feel guilty feeling sad when the busy-ness is from good things. this was really inspiring. I am starting a new scrapbook this week to get my relaxed creative juices going again, outside of my creative work world :)
xo Moorea

[Jane]

I love this journal! The best way to beat anxiety (at least for me) is to write about things or express myself creatively. Hope you feel better soon!

[Tashrin]

I'm sorry to hear of your anxiety Mandi. hope creating this beautiful piece has helped relieve it to some extent. I wish I could let out my anxiety in a manner as creative as this. I have always been an admirer of scrap-booking as an art and you make some of the most beautiful ones I have seen.

Love

Tashrin from Toronto, Canada

[Patty]

This came out wonderful Mandi!! I love how you turned it into a therapy project to help you deal with your anxiety. Just beautiful:)

[Kindsey]

This is seriously amazing.! I wish you could scan the spreads and print them onto leather and make them into wallets! Those would be the bomb! Haha but I guess your personal photos on wallets might be weird. ;) but walllets aside the books fantastic!

[belula oliver]

i have also been feeling super anxious lately & have heard similar stories from my sister & some other girlfriends...something must be going around. boo. but i love your little book! so inspiring & such a productive way to deal with anxiety + stress! thanks for sharing :)

[Amy Morby]

This is absolutely stunning. I suffer from anxiety, too, and it's definitely NOT awesome. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. It's so beautiful and inspiring. I ought to try something similar for my stress relief!

[Anne]

Wow, that's really cute. #5 and 6 are my favorites. You make me want to take more photos of the people I love and make a little book.

[Mireille]

Oh Amanda... it's just beautiful! I love it! I wish I would be able to create such a sketchbook... an art's piece! Take care... Mireille

[Phara]

Wow, this looks so brilliant! I love the fabric and stitching bits, just gives it that little extra!
X

[Michelle Clement]

Oooh - it's gorgeous!! :) I *love* all the stitching! And here's to future stress-free days - journals are so therapeutic, aren't they? :)

[Karen Beth]

This is amazing... I think I might drag out some supplies and make a journal too. Thanks for the inspiration!

[jeny]

It looks soft and tactile. I think these are some of the best kind of projects to make because people want to pick them up and look through them and all the bits & bops are just as fun to adhere.
I suffer from anxiety as well. It is always worse during season changes. I have a couple of coping mechanisms that work for me. The best thing sounds the silliest, but I quietly tell myself this, "I am not afraid of you." I feel totally weird and strange for admitting this in a blog comment section, but it is the one thing that usually saves me from spiraling out of control. Since you know that is what makes an attack go from manageable to outrageous. I really hope you start to feel better.

[L'Erin]

Absolutely gorgeous! Beautiful inspiration!!!

[katie licht]

i keep coming back to look at this because i like it so much! making something is such a great way to ease anxiety. and you get something beautiful out of it too, double win!

[kara marie riley]

so inspiring, thank you!

[racheldenbow]

Beautiful. Absolutely perfect. I think it's been one of those things that has taken a back seat over here, too. Maybe it's time to start digging out the found papers again!

Thanks for your comment on my post about feeling overwhelmed a few weeks back. I hope for many more peaceful, calm hearted days on the way to spring.

[Krysti]

This is beautiful... soooo inspiring! I totally wanna try this out!

[hisham]

I absolutely love this "journal" :)))) must be fun creating it, not talking about listing in it :)

[lilith]

pretty effective? I did this last summer and it worked well:)

[rose]

i hope you're feeling a little better :) x

[Rachel]

Your collage/journal is beautiful!

[sophie]

love this print it would be perfect in my room