• DIY
  • Home
    • Shop Home Trends
    • Decorate
    • Celebrate
  • Style
    • Shop Fashion Trends
    • Outfits Ideas
  • By Holiday
    • Valentine’s Day
    • Halloween
    • Christmas
      • Vlogmas
    • New Year’s Eve
  • By Season
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Winter
  • Lifestyle
    • Vlog
    • Planning & Goals
    • Freelancing
    • Reflections
    • NYC Guide
    • Travel Diary
    • Scrapbook
    • Sketchbook
  • About
    • About Mishka
    • Contact
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Giving Back

Hey Mishka

the-allswell-notebook-review-4
Lifestyle

Write/Draw: An AllSwell Notebook Review

February 10, 2015

When I was around seven years old, I became what you would call obsessed with writing and storytelling. I was plowing through loose-leaf paper with total abandon, scrawling tales as outrageous and romantic as my little brain could conjure.

I remember dreaming up plot twists that excited me so much I couldn’t sleep.  Getting so excited about the end of the story that I would skip ahead and write that first. Little did I know that’s an actual story drafting technique used by legit authors!

When I was around twelve, I started writing about my life and keeping a diary. I quickly realized I’d harnessed a tool that would allow me to vent my angsty pre-teen emotions while doing something I felt was so important: documenting fleeting moments to return to later.

the-allswell-notebook-review-1

More personal daily writing became routine: stream of consciousness, bad poetry, you name it. It was pure, existential, curious, and totally Libra-tastic.

When I was thirteen-or-so, my love of visual arts took over. I’d been drawing and crafting since I was a tot, but it was in my early teens that I really started sketching like it was my job. I created imagery that represented what I wanted in life. Creative, romantic moments I imagined while listening to techno (I spent a lot of time daydreaming back then).

I would draw girls traveling alone, embarking on an adventure, waiting in airports with a pile of pink suitcases, neon lights, and city skylines, warm boutique windows full of dreamy clothing designs…

Looking back, I really began to manifest some of those abstract and perhaps superficial ideas into a more tangible reality. But that’s another story…

the-allswell-notebook-review-5

These days I wonder how important all of that sketching and writing has been to my creative journey—to my personal growth. I have no doubt it shaped me as a young person.

Sure, I jumped at the chance to learn rudimentary website building and blogging right around Y2K, but I’ve always felt called to pick up a pen and get something onto paper.

AllSwell says it best: 

“While the world has become undeniably digital, research shows that putting pen to paper is linked to increased wellbeing, and basically a boosted brain. It is physiologically, emotionally and mentally beneficial.”

They had me at “boosted brain”. But there are endless therapeutic and feel-good reasons to get your sketch and scribble on once in a while.

So, back to our notebook, which AllSwell so kindly gifted me.

On the “WRITE” side, I began New Year’s resolutions and to-do lists…

It wasn’t before long that I broke all of the rules and started drawing! If you’ve never drawn out your to-do list or goals list, I highly recommend it. For example, I drew all the things I planned to have for breakfast the following day. Drawing miniature food is, for whatever reason, one of my favorite things to do.

On the “DRAW” side, I drew this lady-fish creature that appeared in one of my dreams many years ago. I’ve been drawing variations of her ever since (tattoo someday, I think). Then, I went back to drawing breakfast food. Pretty random, but also pretty satisfying!

the-allswell-notebook-review-6

I don’t think we should worry about filling our notebooks with anything profound, but rather to use them as authentic outlets for our creativity and thoughts. I love these small, compact carry-everywhere notebooks that let me tap into the muse at a moment’s notice. And having a side for writing and drawing is even better (even if I draw and write in both).

This has become my paper play space. A little sanctuary to jot down ideas and scribble when I need to get my wheels turning. Every artist needs something like that.

AllSwell touts these blank pages as a chance to experience “creativity unplugged”, without any pingbacks from social media or judgments from onlookers. Pure experimentation and expression—just like my beginnings as a genius seven-year-old novelist. And really, how refreshing is that?

Grab one for yourself and see what ends up on the pages.

hey-mishka-hand-drawn-2020-4

 

hey-mishka-coffee-break-logo-signup

Comments

comments

Share
Mishka

Hi! I'm Mishka, a Brooklyn-based writer and crafty creator sharing my daily life in NYC. I'm an optimistic Libra who loves tea, rainy (and snowy) days, and scribbling to-do lists in cute planners. I launched Hey Mishka in 2008 to stay inspired during fashion school... but it turned into my most loved hobby. Subscribe for cozy content, DIY projects, NYC vlogs and more!

You May Also Like

November 7, 2014

Puckering Up with Flickable Lip Gloss

May 7, 2021

Trying Sakura Lattes! 🌸 & Other Cute Snacks From Japan

June 16, 2018

Instant Matcha Latte x Comfy Sweatshirt = Bliss

Hey, I’m Mishka!
Hey, I’m Mishka!

Hey, I’m Mishka!

Grab a cup of tea and settle in for cozy and creative living inspiration, stylish finds and DIY projects.

Mishka Loves…

product_title_1

Harvest Chipwood Pumpkin Lantern

product_title_2

Rust Mock Neck Midi Dress

product_title_3

Cut Glass Tealight Candle Holders

product_title_4

A La Maison Harvest Cranberry Soap

product_title_5

Fall Preserved Eucalyptus Bouquet

Winter Magic

Simple Style

Cozy Home

DIY Projects

Ho Ho Holiday

Categories

Hey Mishka on YouTube!

Hey Mishka on YouTube! Hey Mishka on YouTube!

Subscribe to my YouTube channel for vlogs, DIY & cozy content.

Subscribe now

New Vlogs!

  • 2022-2023-end-of-year-vlog-thumb-notext

    Vlog: 2023 Is Gonna Be Different

    January 9, 2023
  • vlogmas-nyc-2022-hey-mishka-004-no-text

    Vlog: A Cold, Cozy Christmas (Vlogmas Finale)

    January 5, 2023
  • covid-christmas-vlogmas-2022-nyc_hey-mishka-001

    Vlog: A Very Covid Christmas (Vlogmas in NYC)

    December 30, 2022

Let’s be insta-friends

@heymishka
Follow @heymishka
This site uses cookies. By using this website you agree to their use. View Privacy Policy
  • DIY
  • Home
  • Style
  • By Holiday
  • By Season
  • Lifestyle
  • About

Copyright © 2008-2022 Hey Mishka. All rights reserved. Site Powered by Pix & Hue.