Journaling and painting are some of my main tools for emotional regulation, and as someone with ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD—emotional regulation is key. Both of these things use quite a bit of paper, and I’ve wanted to share my love of journaling with others by creating beautiful spaces to create in.

I developed my Fresh Direct Journals as a canvas for my art, a way to bring journaling to others, and a way to recycle vast amounts of plastic bags. But I couldn’t stop there. I saw piles of cardboard, unwanted books, mail, or other paper products and envisioned an endless supply of journal paper!

After a few years of making recycled paper, I’ve finally invested in better equipment and techniques. I wanted to create a journal ready for anything: watercolor, fountain pens, pastels, pencils, and more. I can now say, my paper holds up to almost any medium!

Try it for yourself:

Journal Refill

• 60 pages of recycled handmade paper

• Bound with the French Link Stitch

• Front and back covers are marbled using Suminagashi, an ancient Japanese marbling technique.

Learn how I make paper: