Prompt Set 2. Home, objects and belongings

Second set of visual journal starting points, designed to help you gather what might one day become map material or a creative research project ... or not.

This is the second in a series of 12 visual journal starting points, designed to help you gather what might one day become map material .. or not.

These prompts are to help you gather what might become map material (or not), or as a jumping off point for a creative research project. They are designed as nudges to help you frame your attention, so that your visual journal becomes a container.

This week's hints and tips: What if you don’t want to journal on paper?

I think there's many ways to “journal” and journaling doesn't have to be traditional written notebooks. If you think of a journal as a way of collecting and recording what you pay attention to, it can be anything. Here’s are a few alternatives that I shared with readers last week:

• A journal could be a bunch of loose notes stapled or tied together, or collated into themes in a folder or box. You could make a cover for the piles or the box.

• Instead of writing you could take a series of photos (over a defined period such as a day, week etc) of materials you are drawn to, and then collate them in a folder to make connections / reflect on the images. Your photos become your visual journal. Once you have a collection, you could print them out / get them printed, and stick them on an album.

• Or make a small zine and use that as your journal (more about this soon!)

Add your responses to your personal visual journal in whatever form suits you - if you’re short on time, write quickly and make a list. If you have more time, draw badly, photograph them, stick in labels or receipts, or make a small “personal museum” page ...

We are not … talking about beautiful pages in an art journal or about producing something impressive… about following a layout, using expensive materials or knowing how to draw.

Remember, you are simply gathering enough material to either show evidence of paying attention to your life, for making a map or for starting a creative research project.

Set 2. Home, objects and belongings

Objects are a good place to begin because they give our memories a physical form. The things you keep, carry, collect or cannot throw away often hold stories and clues to stuff we aren't always consciously aware of.

1. Items you have kept for years

2. Things you have lost / wish you still had

3. Objects from your childhood home

4. Objects that remind you of someone specific

5. Objects that make you feel like yourself

6. Personal items you always carry with you, no matter what

7. Things on your desk, bedside table or windowsill

8. Stuff you keep moving from one home to another

9. Things you bought but never used

10. Things that feel too important to throw away

11. Things that have outlived their original purpose

12. Things that tell a story about where you have been

13. Items you would put in a personal museum

Remember: We are not … talking about beautiful pages in an art journal or about producing something impressive… about following a layout, using expensive materials or knowing how to draw. You are simply gathering enough material to either show evidence of paying attention to your life, for making a map or starting a creative research project.

---

Your turn

Tell me, by leaving the number of the prompt, which prompt immediately caught your attention. No need to say why, just pop the number (or numbers) in a comment.

Next time, we have a set of people and names prompts.
Leave a 🩵 if you’re keen to continue exploring with me!

Other posts in this series

• Why gather before you map?

• Prompt Set 1. Creative clues and fascinations

• Prompt Set 2. Home, objects and belongings

• Prompt Set 3. People and names

---

You can support me by signing up for a paid subscription, restacking and sharing my stories and posts. For the price of a coffee, you can also support me through my Buy Me a Coffee page ⬇️

Looking for updates from my studio?

The Moodling Letter is where I share what I’m working on - from photography and mixed media pieces to hand-drawn maps - along with invitations to exhibitions, open studio days, and workshops (both in-person and online) where you can experience or take part in the process.

Deeper explorations of Moodling through photography, personal mapping, visual journaling and creative enquiry. Following what happens when Moodling becomes a creative practice.