Colour your mood

An addition that can be spotted in journals is a list of smileys or a blank circle in a corner of the page You colour in the face that sums how the day has left you mdash happy angry sad tired or you draw your own mood Visual journaling is a form of expression and documentation mdash the more creative sibling of lsquoDear diaryrsquo that gives up the overwhelming search for the right words in favour of art and colour And this is why visual journaling is slowly gaining in popularityMausam Nagda and Meryl RemediosMeryl Remedios artist and owner of theturquoisebrushin says ldquoItrsquos been three years since I began visual journaling and it is something I look forward to at the end of every dayrdquo It makes her selfaware and helps her focus on her goals ldquoConsidering the neuroscience behind the benefits of visual art exercises and wellness research says that it helps to activate parts of the brain related to problemsolving and creative thinking and promotes resilience in times of adversity that allow individuals to build on their strengthsrdquo explains Mausam Nagda a mental health professional specialising in expressive arts therapy If yoursquore serious about visual journaling wersquove curated five platforms to give it a shotCalli DsignTheir realdeal visual journals are unique and available at the most affordable ranges Pick from bleedproof paper that is suitable for light watercolours and gouache hexagoncut outline and handillustrated designs that are later digitisedLog on to callidsigninCost Rs 349Bigger Dreams Co and Planning Paper And MoreIf you want that premium feel to enhance everyday journaling have a look at this range of dotgrid journals Their 160 gms thick paper is perfect for serious doodlers and sketchers They also have a collection called Doodler Series that are dotgrid of courseLog on to biggerdreamsin or planningpaperandmorecomCost Rs 2900ArchmeshIf the bright colours donrsquot match your personality and you want a more uniform look for a journal this platform offers options that are subtle A collection of these KraftCover dotgrid journals can make a perfect monthly series for your practiceLog on to archmeshcomCost Rs 229 onwardsFactor NotesWith a range of watercolour pads sketchbooks and diaries they offer not just variety but also a guarantee of paper thick enough to endure fine liner pens pastels and paint And if you want a lightduty doodle journal with a dotgrid option check this one outLog on to factornotescomCost Rs 199 onwardsRum and RaisinTanvi Parulkar owner of this platform introduces what she calls Indiarsquos first stationery with tactile illustrations The illustration on the cover features clay designs that shersquos made herself These dotgrid journals series of two mdash Bloom and Rise come with handlettered gold foil details thoughtful packaging and they check all those stationerybyartists boxesLog on to rumandraisininCost Rs 566