Finding Joy Through Collage and Poem-Making

This art journaling exercise invites you to explore joy through the playful combination of cut-out words and spontaneous writing. There’s no right or wrong way to do it—just see what comes up

Step 1: Cut and Collect Words

Flip through old magazines, newspapers, books, or anything with printed words.
Cut out words or phrases that catch your eye—even if they seem random or silly.

Don’t overthink it.
Trust your gut. Choose what makes you smile, pause, or feel something.

Spread the words out across your page and play with the arrangement.

Step 2: Make a Poem

Let a poem emerge from what you’ve gathered.

You might:

• Rearrange your collage words into lines

• Add your own handwriting between them

• Mix serious and strange, sweet and absurd

Let it be freeform. Let it be weird. Let it be yours.

Step 3: Reflect and Add a Message

When your poem feels finished—or just interesting—take a moment to read it out loud.

Then write one sentence somewhere on the page. Something simple.

Maybe:

• “I didn’t know I needed this.”

• “This feels like a good place to pause.”

• “More of this, please.”

That’s it. A small, joyful practice. A way to stay curious and open.