Happy March May everybody! To be honest with you all, March and April were really rough. I was going through a lot of loss and instability and I started shutting myself down from everything. I know this is two month’s late, and I missed love yourself saturday and the guilt piled up. But all to say I missed you and I’m doing my best, and I send you whatever you may need; love, warmth, strength, courage, or faith.


One of the things I love most about The Burning God is Kuang’s ability to reach into my chest and play my heart like a drum. March was heavy for me and I know dissociation and escapism (especially when it’s also heavy) isn’t the best coping mechanism, but in some weird way, there was a comfort.

In case you couldn’t tell from my past bullet journal posts, I love burning paper. I didn’t do a TDR journal theme, but if I did…I know for a fact I would’ve used burned paper there too.

In addition to burned paper, these watercolor crayons are nothing new. I love finding different ways to experiment with them, and back in March I used a sponge to smudge the paint in. At first, I wasn’t sure about it, but I ended up loving the splotchy unevenness the more I did it.

Okay so also, this was the first time I’ve ever actually burned the pages of my journal. And I loved it! (Yes, I say that to everything, I’m sorry). I normally burn separate paper and glue it in, but I did Dutch doors last year, and I had this idea about a little peek-a-boo behind the burned edges.

However, the difficulty with the burned edges is what to put behind them. I end up settling for just some painted things, but it definitely forced me to plan way ahead (and currently doing that with my current journal theme).

I think the tones of this theme in general are comforting to me; it kind of reminds me of smoke and ashes, which coincides with what’s left at the end of this trilogy 🙂
And since it was only right to use the book cover as my cover page, our trio on the back had to close. I’ll be honest, though: drawing anatomy is hard, so tracing was my bff.
I hope you all still enjoy seeing these. If you’d like to see more of my non-book related journal spreads, you can follow my bujo instagram @joijournals. Also!! I’m super excited to show y’all June’s theme, based on my current read and a book recommended by one of our dear friends, to be revealed soon.

I hope you’re feeling better now and life is kinder to you. It is great you are back, though. 🙂
Thank you, I’m feeling a bit better but ebbs and flows haha. I wish you the same!
glad you are taking care of yourself; doing what’s best for you is good!! i love your theme and the purple is so pretty.
ah thank you so much (also please take care of yourself too)!! i love any excuse to use different shades of purple in any of my themes
I loved this, this bujo theme is very pretty!!! I’m glad you enjoyed the poppy war series, I’m a bit hesitant about it because of the violence, but I might try it one day!!!
that’s completely understandable, and it’s not for everyone so def don’t feel pressured to read for hype! but if you ever do read it i’m always here to talk about it!!
THE BURNED EFFECT LOOKS SO PRETTY ORIANNA!!!! i love it so much omg. i hope you’re being gentle with yourself these few months <3
THANK YOU MY LOVE !!! ah burning paper is one of my favorite pastimes. you as well, wishing you all the love and warmth these days <3