Intro to grid journaling (for self-love!)

Have you heard of this? Here is an intro to grid journaling for self-love. It’s a calming and easy technique to give your blank book or planner a fresh look. And there are so many uses, depending on your narrative.

This is a self-love exercise because I’m asking you to come up with statement words of what you feel you deserve, what you feel you do, what you want to do. You are choosing your vibe. Think about these words as you are working on the painted steps.

Intro to grid journaling

Grid journaling is an art and planning technique where you divide a journal page into a grid of squares or rectangles to create organized, visually appealing layouts. This method can be used for creative expression, organization, goal-setting, or mindfulness practices.

Here is a video tutorial I made for an intro to art journaling

Supplies:

A blank journal or sketchbook

Masking tape or painter’s tape

Watercolors, markers, or any coloring medium

Black or white gel pens or fine liners

A brush, water jar (if using watercolors), and a palette

A list of your favorite affirmation words

TIP: I love using a white paint pen!

Prepare the Page:

Open your journal to a blank page.

Tear strips of masking tape and place them on the page to create a grid pattern. The squares can be even or varied in size, depending on your preference. Press the tape down firmly to prevent colors from bleeding underneath.

Decorate the page

Start with watercolors to paint all over the page. Even over the tape (that’s why it’s good to seal it down well). Let dry, and then use the markers to add details and accents in each square.

You can also use stamps, stencils – whatever you want to create visual texture.

Frame the squares

Once the paint is dry, use a black and/or white gel pen to carefully outline each square, creating a visible frame. These outlines can be bold or delicate, depending on your style.

Let dry.

Peel off the tape

Gently peel away the tape to reveal crisp, clean edges around each square. This will give your page a polished and intentional grid effect.

Add your statement self-love words

Use the heavy pen to write a statement word under each square.

Other ideas for this technique

Themed Grid Journaling:
Create a grid journal page dedicated to a specific theme (e.g., “Seasons”). Decorate each square with seasonal colors, icons, or textures, and label them with related affirmations, such as “Growth” for spring or “Balance” for autumn.
Mood Tracker Grid:
Use the grid to track your mood for a week or month. Assign each square a date and decorate it with a color representing your mood that day. Write a related word like “Calm,” “Excited,” or “Focused” in each square.
Vision Board Grid:
Instead of affirmations, turn each square into a mini vision board. Add small magazine clippings, stickers, or drawings of things you want to manifest, such as travel, health, or career goals.
Color Exploration Grid:
Use the grid as a space to explore different color palettes or combinations. Each square can showcase a unique gradient, ombré, or color pairing. Write the name of the colors or descriptive words (e.g., “Warm Glow,” “Ocean Bliss”) under each square.
Memory Collage Grid:
Fill each square with memories from a specific day, trip, or event. You could draw small sketches, add meaningful quotes, or write dates and locations. The affirmations can highlight what you gained from those memories, such as “Gratitude” or “Connection.”