Aloha Lovelies,
At the end of February, I began a daily journaling habit.
Some days, I write a few sentences. Most days, I write two to three paragraphs.
Some days the entry is practical, some days it’s deep, and some days it’s celebratory.
I’ve made a journal entry every day since I began.
But I don’t pressure myself to journal every day. I’m very okay with missed days and blank pages.
Because my daily journaling time feels like an oasis of calm, quiet, and at times, powerful introspection, I don’t want to miss it! It’s easy to keep up the habit. I don’t want to add any sense of pressure into the equation like, “Must journal every day.”
Some of my favorite planner YouTuber’s find daily journaling a critical component in their mental health self-care. They don’t necessarily track symptoms. But recording their thoughts, emotions, and experiences helps them stay steadier.
Some people daily journal in the morning as a way to clear their mind and heart and start the day fresh. Some people write snippets throughout the day. I usually journal in the late afternoon or later in the evening. I find this time spot provides a helpful way to let go of my concerns and close the day.
I began daily journaling in my Wonderland 222 A5 Notebook, which I had already used as a journal since the beginning of 2021. It contains 368 pages of 52 GSM Tomoe River Paper. The paper is very thin (some people love it, some don’t), which is why it’s possible to get so many pages into a slim notebook. The number of pages makes it perfect for a year-long daily journal.
But I switched when I set up my 2022 Hobonichi Cousin A5 planner at the end of March. The planner contains monthly, weekly, and 365 dated daily pages on Tomoe River Paper too. Since I plan in it each day, it’s convenient to daily journal in it too.
For people who don’t like Tomoe River Paper, there are 365 notebooks like the Stalogy 365 Days among others. Most 365 notebooks come in A5 and B6 (smaller) options.
I sometimes decorate my page with a bit of washi tape and/or stickers (I love florals especially), which feeds my creative spirit. My creative side had been missing her time since I stopped coloring when I began writing so much on Medium. But I still try to keep the decoration simple so it doesn’t become stressful or a requirement—as in the image below.
I usually hand-letter the name of the day at the top of the page. My hand-lettering is often terrible, but this gives me a chance to practice. I find hand-lettering peace-inducing as well. I can understand why Japanese calligraphy masters see it as a form of meditation.
Some people use photos and ephemera on their daily journal pages so they become a hybrid of words and images. I love to see flip-throughs of those journals. But I haven’t acquired a knack for that artistry. So, I continue with what feels comfortable for now.
I’m also intrigued by the idea of a five-year memory book (partner link). They’re often called “one line a day” journals.
In these journals, you typically have space for five entries on each page—one for each year. It seems a useful way to observe how one has grown and changed since the last year. Although, it could also show the places you’re stuck, repeating the same patterns. That could offer an important wake-up call.
I still use my original journal (the Wonderland 222) to record dreams and to explore issues, questions, and dreams in more detail, when I need more than one page. I use it once or twice a week.
Daily journaling isn’t for everyone. But since it’s created this wonderful oasis of calm in my day, I wanted to share the idea with you. If you’re already a pro at daily journaling, I would love to hear more about your approach. Or, if the ideas piques your interest, let me know with a comment below.
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Until Next Time
I have been deep in study, exploring Adyashanti’s teachings on the Divine Ground of Being. I want to make more time for study and meditation.
The largest chunk of my time goes to writing new articles and editing previous ones for republishing on Medium.
You might think I’m killing it on Medium. But in reality, I bring in just a bit more than $100 a month for 15-20 articles. Peanuts! In theory, Medium is a long game and there will be more money down the road. I am seeing a small but noteworthy increase this month so time will tell if it’s a trend or an anomaly.
I write primarily as a form of service to others. But the money helps pay the bills for my blog. I’m grateful for that.
Sometimes, however, I feel like I’m on the Medium hamster wheel. That makes me wonder if my time might not be better spent focused on the spiritual side of my life.
I won’t stop writing. But I may write a little less as I explore ways to make more space for the divine in my life.
Thank you for reading! I’m so grateful to you. You make my life meaningful, and I appreciate the connection I have with each one of you.
If you’d like daily inspiration, consider joining my Facebook group: The Always Well Within Circle of Joy.
Until next time, stay safe, be happy, and let your love flow.
Sending you all my love and best wishes.
xo Sandra
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