The Secret To Staying Inspired All Year: Your Focus Word

Stay Inspired All Year: How a Focus Word Can Spark Your Creativity

When was the last time you felt truly in sync with your creative projects? Whether you’re flipping through photos for a scrapbook layout or layering paint and textures in your art journal, it’s easy to lose that spark of inspiration as the year goes on. That’s where having a focus word comes in—a simple, yet powerful tool to keep you grounded, motivated, and excited about your creative journey.

Why Choose a Focus Word?

A focus word isn’t just a trendy concept; it’s a guiding principle that can shape your mindset and fuel your creativity. For scrapbookers and art journalers, it’s a way to bring intention to your projects. Instead of starting with a blank page, you start with a purpose, an idea, or a feeling inspired by your word. It’s like having a creative compass that keeps you moving forward, even when life gets busy.

Imagine selecting a word like “joy,” “explore,” or “balance.” How might those words influence the stories you tell in your scrapbooks or the themes you explore in your art journal? A focus word can act as a springboard for ideas, helping you infuse your creations with deeper meaning.

Over the years, I’ve chosen words like “perspective,” “renew,” “adventure,” and “fearless.” Funnily enough, these words often find me rather than the other way around. They just bubble up naturally, like they’re tapping me on the shoulder and saying, “Hey, I’m yours for the year. Let’s do this.” There’s no need to overthink it—sometimes the perfect word just lands in your lap when you least expect it. You can read how and why I chose “bend” as my 2025 word in this post.

How to Use Your Focus Word in Your Creative Practice

  1. Inspire Your Layouts and Themes: Let your word guide the color palettes, embellishments, and journaling in your scrapbooks. For instance, if your word is “growth,” you might highlight moments of personal or family milestones.
  2. Set Monthly or Weekly Goals: Break your word into actionable steps. If your word is “explore,” you might try a new scrapbooking technique or experiment with mixed media each month.
  3. Create a Word-Inspired Project: Dedicate a page or even an entire journal to your word. Use it as a recurring motif, incorporating quotes, images, and reflections that tie back to its meaning.
  4. Stay Motivated: When you hit a creative block, return to your word. Write it down, doodle it, or even create a vision board around it. It’s a quick way to reconnect with your intentions.

Not Sure Where to Start? Here’s a Fun Idea!

If you’re feeling inspired to choose your focus word but aren’t sure where to start, I’ve got just the thing for you—a fun word search to help you discover your guiding star for the year. It’s filled with potential focus words like “balance,” “renew,” and “flourish.” Close your eyes, point to a word, and let that be your guiding star. Or, use it as inspiration to come up with a word that resonates even more personally.

 

Vicki Robinson Focus Word Chooser

Remember, there’s no right or wrong choice. Your word is yours to interpret, explore, and grow with throughout the year. So, pour yourself a cup of tea and let the magic of choosing a word unfold. Who knows? It might just set the tone for your most inspired year yet.

Oh — this post might also be of interest: 20 Inspiring Focus Words to Elevate Your Creative Journey.

👉 FREE SAMPLER 👈

Looking for more guidance? 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.

Check out my 20 Inspiring Focus Words to Elevate Your Creative Journey post for information on how to get the Free Sampler!

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