Shine Brightly for Spring

Happy Spring! There are a ton of springtime activities out there, we're hoping our Springtime activity will not only encourage the sunshine outside, but also the sunshine within. 

Today, we're going to be starting our Shine Bright Journals, an activity brought to you by Sitka 4-H, led by the amazing Claire Sanchez.

Project Discipline: Art & Creative Writing
Ages: All ages (helpful if youth can write)
Difficulty level: Medium (Cloverbuds will need help writing)
Supplies needed: old magazines, pens, any kind of paper, cardboard, scissors, glue, colors, hole punch, yarn, ruler

Step 1: Cut out cardboard front and back covers
 
Measure and cut out two identical sizes of pieces of cardboard any size that you would like. The cardboard piece is there to hold the structure of your journal and will protect the pages inside.

​Step 2: Decorate your cardboard covers
 
Glue cardboard with paper, magazine cut outs, piece of leather etc. This is your journal so give it that personal flare!

Step 3: Add pages to your journal
 
You can use any kind of paper you want for the middle. Make sure you have at least 6 pages inside for our suggested prompts but you can have more to create your own as well.
 
Step 4: Attach pages and covers together 
 
Hole punch each page and cover in approximately the same place.  This can be two or three holes and each hole should be at least 2 inches apart. Cut a small piece of string for each hole and tie everything together. ​

Step 5: Label the pages

Page 1 – “I Am” This page is to explore and reflect on what makes you, you! Include a self-portrait or photo, magazine cutouts, words, etc

Page 2 – “I am Grateful for” Take a look at yourself first. What are personality traits that you are most thankful for? Write down one good thing that happened to you today. What makes you smile? What’s a simple pleasure in your life? Now ask yourself, “What if I didn’t have that in my life?” and add those things as well. Remember that challenges can be things to be thankful for, too.

Page 3 – Personal mantras A personal mantra is a positive phrase or affirmative statement that you say to yourself for encouragement and times when we feel overwhelmed. These can also just be one word. Anything that reminds you how far you’ve come, what great things you’re capable of, and who you really are!

Page 4 – Emotional wheel check in Looking at the range of feelings/emotions on the wheel. Ask yourself how you are feeling right now. What emotions can you remember feeling in the past? Where and how do you feel these in your body? Answer the following questions: “I am lying down, listening to my favorite song. Everything is peaceful and quiet. I feel…” “I don’t want to get out of bed or do anything at all. I feel…” “I just finished all of my chores for the day. I feel…” “This bathroom is really dirty and I don’t want to touch anything in here. I feel…”

Page 5 – Kids’ Needs sheet Ask yourself what do you need right now. If you see someone upset, is there a question on this sheet you could ask them?

Page 6 – Express yourself! Fill in the blanks to this statement: “When ________________(describe action), I feel ________________(describe emotion), because I need __________________(state need). Would you consider ____________(make request). You can practice filling this out with the following scenario or come up with your own: “One day your friend ignores you on the playground and won’t play with you but you’re not sure why. What do you say the next time you see them?” ​

Step 6: Add more pages to your journal as desired.
 
The ideas for pages are endless! Add as many of your own as you would like. 

We'd love to see your work - post pictures of your journal covers on our facebook page!