Hello! Welcome back to the blog! This week, we’re talking about things I write in my own journal. Awhile back, I wrote a blog (click here) about things you can write in your journals. This is different because, since that blog may have included some of the things I write about, it does not encompass everything. As well, I change what I write all the time, depending on what is going on in my life.
First, I must say that I’m a little bit of a journal snob. There are certain journals I look for when I’m buying new ones, and there are only certain pens I use in them as well. My current favourites are the Papermate Inkjoy colourful pens (0.7mm) or the blue ballpoint pen, Bic Velocity 1.6. I detest black gel ink in my writing journals. (Here I must say that I differentiate between “writing journals” and “bullet journals”. I see a bullet journal as a planner or a tracking system, while my writing journal is strictly for thoughts). I love the covers of Peter Pauper Press journals but don’t necessarily love the paper. I love a paper that feels “written” on - the kind that leaves indents when you use ballpoint ink, similar to wide ruled paper we use in school. I get my journals from all over - Indigo, Coles, Amazon, random stores that have individual-looking journals. It really all depends, but the ones that tend to catch my eye are usually colourful, and sometimes include gold or silver foiling on the cover.
I make it part of my morning routine to (always) write in my journal. My minimum is at least once a day. I have been attempting to write in the evenings as well as part of my night routine, but I’m still struggling to fit that one in all the time. As you’ll read below, I do have certain purposes for writing in my journal at different times of the day.
So, now for what goes on the inside:
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Day-to-day thoughts and actions. This is the mainstay of what goes in my journal. I usually write these things in the morning. I will write about my goals or action plans of the day. (Of course, my daily tasks are already in my Franklin Planner, but sometimes I have thoughts on what my tasks will look like or if I’m stressed out or feel anxious about something I have to do). I will sometimes sympathize with myself over a situation that I have to go through, and write down ideas of how to get through it better. I will sometimes reminisce about something in the past if it reminded me of something that comes up in a certain day. I usually try to stay positive when I write, but this journal is by no means an affirmation or gratitude journal for me. I will write about the things that stress me out, make me angry, sad, anxious - you name it. A lot of those things are not pleasant, but I always say writing them down in your journal is better than griping to a friend or family member about it, especially if it’s super distressing. This may sound odd, but I usually come up with a solution or a method to calm myself down on my own. I don’t need to distract others or make them uncomfortable with my problems.
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Packing Lists. I have never really “travelled” before - the only place I usually go is to Red Deer to visit my sons grandpa. However, being a mom of three, I tend to always forget things and writing it all down is an absolute essential. It’s not just me that I have to worry about anymore. I would rather put packing lists in my journal over my planner because I feel like I have more empty space in there. My planner is not only super full, but I have dividers for certain things and I don’t want to bulk it up any more than I have to. I also feel more comfortable highlighting each item off my list once its packed as well. My journal is not something that would ever be shared with anyone ever (as long as I’m alive anyway), and my planner is a more public place since I film Plan - With - Me’s for YouTube every week.
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Pre-Goal Planning Ideas. I have an actual goal planner where I write down, keep track of and maintain all my goals. (The Cultivate What Matters Powersheets). Usually late summer or early fall, I’ll begin to think about my goals for the upcoming year. I don’t really have a place to brainstorm on these ideas in my goal planner, and the new planner isn’t released until October. Hence, these ideas get placed in my writing journal. Last journal, I just picked the next page to be written on, but in my current journal (it really depends on when I start my new journals - usually once a month), I brainstormed all my goal ideas at the very front of my notebook. As I think about things, I will add them as they come up, similar to a brain dump. I usually will get ideas throughout the course of my day and I need a random place to jot them down.
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Reviewing the Day. This is the part that I write in the evening. When I am able to make this happen, my daily journal entry is shorter, because then I am able to play catchup more effectively. I will write down how my day has gone, what I got accomplished, and goals for the next day. I usually have things happen to me throughout the day (as do all of us) - some good, some bad. Writing at night (once I’ve had time to process my thoughts and emotions throughout the day) helps me to come to terms with what happened. It may have been something my kids did that made me angry, or an interaction with another individual. Sometimes I reflect on how I deal with things over the course of the day and how I could do better.
That’s it for today! I hope I gave you some ideas and inspiration for writing in your journal! Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next time!
❤️ San
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