FAFO Journaling Saved My Creativity
Dear Creative (yes, you)
To reclaim your creativity, you must F*** Around and Find Out.
If you’re not a fan of the “F” in “F Around,” read it as “Frolic Around” instead :)
I’m sure you’ve been bombarded by an infinite number of journaling systems that make grand promises of superhuman levels of productivity, achieving wild dreams, and a complete reinvention of your identity (especially when New Years rolls around).
I’m here to offer an alternative (or a supplement) to some of these more regimented guided journals:
The F.A.F.O. Journaling System.
Okay, it's less a ‘system’ and more a journal for ‘contained playful chaos’.
And it saved my creativity.
There's two rules for an FAFO Journal, and one strong suggestion:
You are allowed to do ANYTHING in this journal.
You DO NOT show anyone this journal. It's for your eyes only.
Suggestion: On days you have not done anything creative for your personal enjoyment, use the FAFO Journal (even if just for 10 minutes)
FAFO Rule 1: You are allowed to do ANYTHING in the FAFO Journal.
This rule empowers you to remember how to play, experiment, be a beginner again, make something tangible with your hands, and get comfortable with the unknown.
You’ll also learn to listen to yourself and cultivate your inner voice.
FAFO RULE 2: Do NOT show anyone your FAFO Journal.
This rule is essential to allowing yourself to be a beginner again. It is a boundary that shields us from unnecessary external criticism, which can be discouraging when we’re early in our creative pursuits. Give yourself space and time to explore without worrying about what great uncle Pat thinks about your poems.
You’ll also learn to internally validate your needs. You do not need external permission to pursue your interests. Simply wanting to try is enough! By creating just for you, you’ll prove to yourself that you are important.
Suggestion: Use the FAFO Journal every day (or on days you haven’t already done something creative for yourself).
This helps you build a habit. Try pairing journaling with a habit you already have: Write a poem while you drink your morning coffee. Scribble smiley faces for 5 minutes before checking social media.
Similar to brushing your teeth, you’ll start to notice the days you DIDN’T do it more than the days you did.
You will also strengthen your follow through. The more you show up for yourself, the more you’ll learn to trust and believe in yourself, AND it does wonders for self-worth.
FAFO journaling helped me reclaim my creativity post burnout.
After spending 8-ish years in a “creative” job where I used my creativity for everyone but myself, I crashed and burned HARD. I quit my job without a stable backup plan (I said I’d “freelance” without really thinking it through), and I found myself with a lot more free time than expected. I was excited to finally have time for myself but found that I was utterly lost.
That’s when I started F-ing around everyday in my sketchbook. I learned to listen to my gut, trust myself, try new things, regulate my emotions, and build self-confidence.
Everyone deserves that, including you.
Every time you create something for yourself, you prove to yourself you are enough.
You are creative. You got this.
XOXO,
Ambassador of the Official Fake Bureau of Creativity
