Art Journaling as a Tool for Inner Clarity

They say, “Write it out.” “Talk it out.” Some even say, “Meditate and watch your thoughts like clouds.”

Well, I have tried. Over and over - but my clouds look more like thunderstorms ejecting sparks of lightning at periodic intervals. Ironically, my name Aakash, even means ‘the sky’, but I figured I didn’t need these imaginary clouds -what I needed instead were - crayons!

So, I reached for crayons, pencils, sketch pens, markers, highlighters, chalks – basically anything that made a mark on a sketchbook, a board or a wall — and drew. Just drew …

That’s how art journaling found me. Or maybe, like most beautiful things in life, I stumbled into it without knowing what I was getting into!

Let’s be honest. Our minds are loud. Our minds are out of control.

They’re full of open browser tabs, half-finished ideas, imaginary arguments, and one embarrassing moment after another, replaying like a bad nightmare.

We live in the age of information explosion. Clarity and peace of mind? That’s now a limited-edition luxury.

That’s where art journaling walks in and weaves it’s zen-like magic behaving like your personal Buddhist monk.

It doesn’t try to fix you. It doesn’t tell you what to feel.

It simply gives you a canvas - and on that canvas, you can be messy, raw, joyful, ugly, abstract, angry, vibrant, hopeful—all at once.

Art Journaling!

For the uninitiated, what even is Art Journaling?

It’s exactly what it sounds like. A journal—but with art. Or at least your version of art. Which can be stick figures, tilted hearts, uneven circles, disjoint shapes, cryptic symbols, or even deeply philosophical questions like “What’s the point of it all?”

You doodle. You write. You draw arrows between seemingly related or unrelated things. You colour in your rage. You make connectors in your own merry. You scribble in your hopes. Thereby creating your own top secret world in a diary, all characterised by your own eccentric genius!

If that genius also suffers from existential dread on workdays, even better – for you, there’s a specialized version of art journaling – Sketch-noting!

Now what is sketch-noting?

Sketchnoting — the exciting brother of boring, linear note-taking.

Think of it as an organized chaos. Sketch-noting involves using symbols, typography, visual metaphors, and simple drawings to capture ideas, concepts, and feelings.

A visual note-taking technique that involves using a combination of drawings, symbols, and text to represent ideas and concepts. It allows individuals to capture information in a way that is both creative and personal. Unlike standard notes, which can be linear and text-heavy, sketch-notes are often colorful, playful, and organized in a way that reflects the note-taker's understanding of the material.

You don’t need to be an artist. You just need to see things differently.

Sketch-noting!

Key Elements of Sketch-Noting

1. Draw What You Mean

Stick figures? Cool icebergs? Angry suns? Visuals don’t have to be perfect — just powerful. Your doodles are your secret language of learning. If you’re sketch-noting a lecture on climate change, you might draw a globe, a tree, or a melting iceberg to symbolize key concepts.

2. Keep It Snappy

No essays allowed. Use punchy keywords, killer phrases, meme-worthy quips. Let text merely be a sidekick to your visuals. Instead of full sentences, jot down phrases like “carbon footprint” or “renewable energy” alongside your drawings.

3. Make It Make Sense

Arrows. Boxes. Branches. Chaos with a purpose. Layout is your brain’s personal GPS — use it to show how ideas connect. You can create a mind map layout where the central theme is in the middle, and related ideas branch outwards.

4. Add Colour, Add Magic

A pop of yellow for inspiration. Red for hot takes. Blue for calming facts. Colour isn’t just pretty — it’s your mental highlighter.

Benefits of Sketch-Noting

1. Doodle to Remember

Sketch-noting is like brain glue. When your pen dances, your memory sings. You’ll forget your passwords, but not what you drew.

2. Stay Awake, Stay Sharp

No more zoning out in meetings. Drawing while listening keeps your brain doing jazz hands. Bye-bye boredom, hello ‘Aha!’ moments.

3. Notes with Personality

Your lightbulb doesn’t need to look like Edison’s. Scribble in your own style. Because no one remembers plain ol’ Times New Roman.

4. Mind Maps > Mind Mess

Sketch-notes = instant clarity. Ideas go from chaos to connection. Flowcharts, bubbles, arrows—visual feng shui for your thoughts.

5. Draw Your Feelings (Literally)

Can’t word your weirdness? Sketch it. Sad? Try a cracked teacup. Anxious? Scribble storm clouds. Boom—emotion, untangled.

6. Unleash the Unexpected

Creativity doesn’t come from linear thinking - it comes from juxtaposition, serendipity and weird associations. A penguin + your product pitch = brilliance. Sketch-noting links the un-linkable. Weird drawings, wild insights, wonderful breakthroughs.

How to Get Started (without losing your mind or a fortune at the Stationery Store)

1. Pick a Journal

No need for a ₹3000 handmade leather-bound book. Even that old notebook with half a syllabus in it works.

2. Get Tools That Spark Joy

Pens. Sketch pens. Highlighters. A glue stick. Stickers. Go full 90s kid mode.

3. Make It Yours

Date your entries. Add hashtags. Draw arrows. Add messy quotes. Doodle your coffee cup. Mix words and visuals like a poet having an identity crisis.

4. Use It Daily (Or As Needed)

You can journal about:

o   Your day.

o   A tough decision.

o   A new idea.

o   A TED Talk you watched.

5. No Judgement Zone

Seriously. No one needs to see it. Burn it later if you must. But let the pen do its dance!

Remember, sketch noting is not designed to be heavy on the pocket, you could use the most basic readily available tools until you’re convinced and deeply fulfilled with this concept!

Source: Pinterest

Tips for Effective Sketch-Noting

1. Start Basic, Stay Bold

Circles. Arrows. Clouds. Stick people. That’s your starter pack. Draw like a toddler, think like a genius.

2. Sketch Everything, Always

Lecture? Doodle it. Podcast? Doodle it. Grocery list? Yep, doodle that too. Reps build reflexes.

3. Don’t Catch It All

You’re not Google Docs. Chase ideas, not everything. Jot what clicks, skip what clutters.

4. Style Is Your Superpower

Bubble letters? Neon pens? Chunky markers? Yes, yes, and yes. Your notes = your aesthetic playground.

5. Think in Metaphors

Big idea? Draw a mountain. Uncertainty? Scribble a foggy road. Visual metaphors = memory magnets.

6. Build Your Icon Army

A bulb for ideas. Question Mark for questions. Checkmark for wins. A personal visual language that speaks faster than text.

7. Revisit the Magic

After the event, do a quick glow-up. Fill the gaps. Highlight gems. Your brain will thank you later.

8. Sketch With the Squad

Share your notes. See how others doodle. Group sketch-noting = unexpected insights & inside jokes.

Sketch-noting is more than just a trendy way to take notes; it’s a powerful tool for enhancing learning and creativity. By combining visuals with text, individuals can create a personalized and engaging record of information that is not only useful but also enjoyable to create.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or simply someone looking to improve your note-taking skills, sketch-noting offers a fresh perspective on how we perceive, capture and retain knowledge.

With practice and experimentation, you’ll find that sketch-noting not only enhances your understanding of the material but also makes the process of learning more enjoyable and fulfilling. Embrace your creativity, and let your notes reflect your unique perspective on the world around you.

From Chaos to Clarity: The Real Payoff

You start noticing patterns in your life.

You understand what triggers you.

You connect seemingly unrelated ideas.

You start seeing your inner voice as less of a critic and more of a co-creator.

You don’t just capture your thoughts. You cleanse them.

You don’t just create art. You create clarity.

Clarity isn’t found. It is created!

Art journaling is not a hobby. It’s not a side activity.

It’s not even therapy (although it could well be, as it is for me!).

It’s a mirror, a map, and a megaphone. It’s your safe space in a noisy world.

So go ahead—pick up that pen, scribble that sketch, colour outside the lines.

Because sometimes, the only way to see clearly is to draw your way out of the blur.

Signing off,

Your Eternal Misfit with paint-stained fingers!