20 Inspiring Focus Words to Elevate Your Creative Journey

A Creative Journey with Intention

Focus words are great for intention setting, but they can also be used in other ways. Whether you’re looking to tell deeper stories, experiment with new techniques, or simply stay motivated, these words can guide your creative practice in exciting and meaningful ways. 

If you’ve already explored how a focus word can spark creativity (if not, check out The Secret to Staying Inspired All Year), you’re probably eager to pick your own. But where do you start? No worries—I’ve got you covered. Below is a curated list of 20 focus words, each with its unique inspiration, perfect for scrapbookers and art journalers. And keep reading for something special!

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Courage: Represents bravery and stepping outside your comfort zone. Document moments where you’ve tried something new or conquered a fear.

Balance: Reflects the harmony between work, life, and creativity. Create pages with symmetrical designs or contrasting elements to symbolize equilibrium.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Grace: Embodies kindness and poise. Use soft, flowing lines and pastel colors to evoke its gentle nature.

Thrive: About flourishing and growth. Showcase personal milestones or dreams with blooming floral motifs.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Explore: Perfect for adventure seekers. Map out places you’ve visited or want to visit, and add travel ephemera.

Joy: Captures happiness and gratitude. Fill your pages with vibrant colors and images of your favorite memories.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Focus: Represents clarity and determination. Use clean layouts with strong focal points to highlight this theme.

Begin: Signals fresh starts and new chapters. Include lists of goals, dreams, or first steps in a new venture.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Release: Encourages letting go of what no longer serves you. Create layers that peel back or use imagery of birds taking flight.

Simplify: Reflects minimalism and clarity. Try clean, white spaces with only a few intentional elements on your page.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Bloom: Symbolizes personal growth. Use flowers and other natural motifs to illustrate how you’re blossoming.

Harmony: Embraces unity and peace. Incorporate elements that flow together, like watercolors or seamless patterns.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Create: Highlights your artistic spirit. Feature your favorite techniques, tools, or works in progress.

Strength: Reflects resilience. Use bold colors, strong shapes, or imagery that symbolizes perseverance.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Wonder: Invites curiosity and awe. Add whimsical elements like stars, galaxies, or dreamlike imagery.

Believe: Inspires faith and confidence. Use affirmations, quotes, or symbols that resonate with your trust in yourself or the universe.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Kindness: Reflects compassion and generosity. Document acts of kindness or create pages celebrating people who inspire you.

Embrace: Encourages acceptance and openness. Use warm, inviting tones and soft textures to convey its message.

Print and Cut Christmas   Tags by VIcki Robinson

Inspire: Motivates creativity and sharing ideas. Highlight your sources of inspiration or projects that have lit a spark for you.

Serenity: Represents calm and peace. Use muted tones, calming imagery, or journaling that reflects moments of stillness.

Closing Thoughts on Choosing Your Word

Take your time. Let the words roll around in your mind for a bit. Which one feels like it could be a good fit? Maybe one leaps off the page and makes your heart skip a beat. Or maybe it’s a slow burn, a word that keeps popping back into your thoughts, gently asking for your attention. But, if you’re still feeling torn between a few favorites, don’t rush it—your word will resonate when the time is right. Try journaling about what you hope to focus on this year, flipping through old projects for inspiration, or even using my Word Search graphic from the last post to discover your perfect match.

Remember, your focus word is more than just a theme for your projects—it’s a tool for intentional creativity. Pick a word that speaks to you, and let it shape not just your pages, but also the stories you tell through them.

Whether you create a single layout inspired by your word or let it guide an entire year of projects, the journey is entirely yours. Let your word inspire and ignite your creativity—it might just set the tone for your most inspired year yet!

👉 FREE SAMPLER 👈

 To help you get started, I’ve created a free Focus Words sampler! It includes 3 beautifully designed cards, tags, and flair featuring the words Resilience, Light, and Journey. These designs are perfect for adding a touch of inspiration to your scrapbook and art journaling projects.

But that’s not all—if you’re loving the idea of incorporating focus words into your creative projects, you’ll want to check out my full Focus Words collections featuring the 20 words in this post in 3×4 cards, flair, and tags, available in either digital (PNG) or print-and-cut formats. They’re perfect for exploring your focus word all year long. When you use the button below to get the free sampler, I’ll also send you discount coupons for both collections!

All comments must be approved by Site Admin before they will display below.

8 Comments

  1. Margaret

    Thank You Vicki, a really great idea

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      You’re very welcome!

      Reply
  2. Cynthia

    I absolutely love it! Thank you very much, Vicki.

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      You’re very welcome, Cynthia!

      Reply
  3. TIFFANY BODILY

    Thanks so much. I love this!

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      Thanks, Tiffany! I’m so happy you like it!

      Reply
  4. Tawnya

    What a great idea! Thank you for providing examples of words and how best to show the theme when creating scrapbook pages!

    Reply
    • Vicki Robinson

      You’re very welcome, Tawyna! I can’t wait to see what you come up with!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *