One of the greatest powers that Notebooking puts in your hands is re-framing.  Re-framing sounds like one of those “self help” jargon-y terms whose definition is so nebulous as to be, essentially, meaningless.

Not to worry dear reader, it isn’t.  In fact it’s way easier to explain than to do.  And with Notebooking, doing it is pretty easy too!

So, what is it?

Re-framing is, very simply, looking at something a different way.  The term “re-framing” derives from the effect that a painting can look completely different depending on what the frame looks like.

Considering that titles are most emblematic of a literary frame, let’s try some examples.  A Notebooking entry about going to a crowded grocery store could be titled as follows:

The agony of egg acquisition

This definitely sets a tone of a bad experience.  The word “agony” usually has that effect.

-or-

Today I discovered a new kind of crazy

This title sounds fun and it might be a less serious or more humorous take on the same experience.

Here we are talking about the same experience but in two vastly different ways.  The latter title sounds like reading the entry will be a fun romp through people’s absurd behavior in public.  It says, “Let’s all laugh together at the absurd goofiness of all of us.”

The former title says, “Buckle in, I want to complain and whine while displaying a complete inability to cope with everyday tasks.”

Which would you rather read?  Which would you rather write!?

So, how do we re-frame?  Simple.

Here are a few ways in which re-framing while Notebooking becomes easy.

1. The title method.  I don’t normally entitle Notebook entries but there’s no reason not to.  In fact, I find that when I do use a title, re-framing happens easily and almost automatically.  Also, it can be fun.
2. Ask a question.  Most Notebooking entries can be summed up as the answer to a question.  Whether that question is specifically asked or simply implied, the question frames the entry.  If you write a whiny entry the implied question is probably something like, “What made you mad?” or “What went wrong?”  Where as, in the case of a good entry the implied question might be, “What was funny?” or “What makes it interesting?”  You can take control of your framing by simply asking yourself a good question before you start writing.
3. Build a tone.  This one is the hardest to start but the easiest to continue.  The tone of your writing and your notebook has the potential to be a carefully curated master class in re-framing.  Or it could be whiny drivel.  That’s a choice you make every time you put pen to page.  In the beginning you will have to be mindful of the tone you create.  Eventually it will flow very naturally.  Vigilance is key in the beginning.

See?  Pretty easy for the most part.  Also, totally worth it.  When you take control of your framing you get to decide whether or not something is a good experience or a bad one.  You can be in charge of how you think and how you feel about nearly anything!  Gone will be the days when someone else can determine what kind of day you have.

This is the power or re-framing and Notebooking makes it easy!