What are the things you wanted to say but never did? Photographer and artist Geloy Concepcion asked this introspective question on Instagram and paired the responses with his provocative art. This thought-provoking guided journal full of those admissions, photos, and original writing prompts reminds us that we are not alone.

When Geloy immigrated to the United States from the Philippines, circumstances and discouragement nearly forced him to give up his passion for photography. Then he began to see people through a new lens. On a whim, he asked social media followers to tell him "things they wanted to say but never did." He paired these authentic responses with photographs—not the polished portraits, but the blurry outtakes that capture real life.

"I wish you were here to witness the person I turned out to be."

"Will I ever make it?"

"I just want to heal from the things I don't speak of."

Soon thousands of answers poured in, each one a tribute to how what makes us uniquely broken also makes us universally human. In Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did, you're invited to explore these confessions, process your own thoughts and emotions, and find renewed hope. This interactive, photographic journal includes:



Reflections to help you heal from losses and loneliness
Guidance for shifting negative emotions into patterns of positive thinking
Inspiration to embrace creative expression and achieve new goals?
Tear-away stationery featuring photos for writing notes to loved ones and strangers
Lined pages to record your responses to the art, explore your own feelings, or document the words you may not be ready to share

 

A stunning reminder of the role of art in a time of personal and global unrest, Things You Wanted to Say But Never Did shows how when we speak of our own pain, we can find and offer healing. It also makes a thoughtful gift for when someone is going through a difficult time. When we hear others' stories, we understand more deeply our own identity. And when we realize how our experiences connect us, even our silences prove we are not alone.