For the last several months I have binged on YouTube videos, Pinterest Boards, and read lots of blogs about prayer journals. I really became intrigued after putting together my own war room. Let me begin by saying... I love the idea of the prayer journal. The term prayer journal is interchangeable with prayer binder or war binder. As I researched the whole prayer journal idea, one question kept popping up. What happens when the journal is full of papers? Do they stay in their respective binders while the creator moves on to another binder? Are the papers removed and replaced with fresh sheets of paper? If so, what about the paper? What happens to the paper? Are the papers thrown away, never to be seen or reused again? As you can see, this was causing me a lot of concern. Don't get me wrong, I love a nice fresh clean crisp sheet of paper. However, I think my biggest concern was...what do I do with the completed sheets. After a few days, I had an idea! I decided to laminate everything!
With my handy dandy Scotch Laminator and a 1-inch Avery durable binder, I began putting together my journal. I used color pages from an adult coloring book, and cardstock to make my tabs and pages. I choose to have blank pages versus lined (I felt as if the lines would clash with the coloring pages.) The tabs, pages, and stickers were all laminated. Sharpies are used to illustrate my journal. In the front of the journal, I added
Vel
cro strips to keep my Sharpies together and readily available. In the back of the journal, I made a pouch that holds 24 laminated stickers. The stickers have Velcro strips that can be placed on the journaling pages. Magnets work too!
Having my prayer journal laminated allows me save my creative journaling by scanning the pages into my computer and transferring them into a pdf for later viewing. Once the pages are saved, I simply use rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover and a cloth to remove the sharpie marker from the laminated pages. For me, this is a genius way at reducing paper waste, keeping the clutter down, and preventing ruined pages from hot cocoa spills. Like I stated before, I love clean crisp paper! I have nothing against those that choose to use paper for their journaling.
I choose to use laminated pages because I am currently in the process of minimalizing my life. Just think for a second, if I journal every day in 2018...How many journals will I use? How many sheets of paper will be consumed? How much waste will I be responsible for? I am certainly not trying to judge anyone that chooses to use paper. I am clearly stating my opinion on how I feel about "my" paper waste. More than anything, my biggest concern was "How do I preserve my artwork without causing clutter in my house?"
Of course, every great idea comes with some cons. First, sharpies should be used in well ventilated areas because they do have an odor. Secondly, the longer the marker sits on the pages, the harder it is to wipe off...not impossible, just a little harder. Journal the way that makes you feel happy and comfortable. This is how I journal. How do you journal?
For a detailed video and demonstration on my laminated prayer journal, check out my YouTube channel. Video will be posted on Saturday night (12/9/2017).
Happy Journaling 😊
cro strips to keep my Sharpies together and readily available. In the back of the journal, I made a pouch that holds 24 laminated stickers. The stickers have Velcro strips that can be placed on the journaling pages. Magnets work too!
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