Thursday, January 12, 2012

One-Sentence Journals

Do you keep a daily journal? For decades I didn't. To me, "journal' meant those overwrought, weepy letters to myself, written late at night during my college years. They make me cringe to re-read years later.

But three years ago, I wanted to chronicle my life. Not with a big ol' bunch of essays; just with a little note to sum up each day. So I  bought a small, week-at-a-glance calendar. Right before bed, I wrote a line or two about my day.

I wrote about something notable that happened, or something that made me happy. Occasionally I vented over something that drove me crazy or made me angry.


It was a small thing. Satisfying. Do-able. But I didn't think much about it. I wasn't sure if I'd even keep a mini journal for 2012.

And then I read the February issue of  "Good Housekeeping" magazine:

(BTW, Jennifer: Good job on the weight loss! You look great.)

On page 99 there's an article about writing a daily, one- or two-sentence journal. The author finds it very satisfying, much less daunting than writing a long piece. And therefore much easier to keep doing:


And I realized I'd miss my itty-bitty journaling if I let it go. So I bought this adorable, coral-colored leatherbound calendar at my local, independent stationery store:


It comes with a little ribbon to mark your place and a tiny pencil:


The maker is "Letts of London," and they must be doing something right, because they've been around since 1812:


Dear Letts: I love how the pencil tucks into this little pocket, here:


I also bought a packet with two tiny Moleskine notebooks in two shades of lilac. I don't even know what I'm going to do with them, but they are undated, so they can hang around until I find a purpose for them.


And the purpose for my mini-journals? Not sure. I may mine them, years from now, for a memoir. Or I may just bequeath them to my children, so they can share them with their children and even grandchildren someday.

It might be nice, reading what made Great-Nana Juli so happy on January 11, 2012.


2 comments:

  1. Hey, look what else was posted today! http://thepioneerwoman.com/homeschooling/2012/01/journaling-2-0/

    It's basically the same, but on the computer. I like that it's searchable, but I like that your version is a lovely little memento. I already have twitter and facebook and computer-ways of summing up my day. Maybe a physically written way would be good?

    Or maybe I'm crazy and in med school and should not take on any new projects, little as they may be. Sheesh.

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  2. I like this idea! ...And going to my favorite stationery store was already on my list of things to do tomorrow -- I'm going to search for a similar calendar and give it a try. I'm with you, though -- only 1 or 2 sentences.

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