Many of us kept diaries as teenagers and enjoy looking back on our record of the things we did and the friends we had — and laughing about how we’ve changed.
Today, our lives are busy and there’s no time to indulge in detailed recordings. The perfect solution to keep a record of memories is a sentence-a-day five year journal, such as The Happiness Project One-Sentence Journal pictured here.
The following benefits result from keeping the journal next to your bed and investing two minutes each night noting the highlight(s) of the day:
1) You have a succinct record of every day
2) You can compare what you did on the same date for five subsequent years (“Wow! I can’t believe it’s been a year since….” or “Last year on this date we did….”)
3) You can see at a glance how life has changed from year to year — and how it’s stayed the same
4) You’ll enjoy flipping through the pages years down the road (and your children and grandchildren may, too); because each entry is a mere sentence or two, you probably won’t be revealing your most intimate secrets, resulting in a “G” rating
5) You can reminisce about the past without having to go to any other source; every day you get to see what you did a year ago, two years ago, etc.
6) It’s fun
7) It’s easy
8) It’s rewarding
9) It only takes two minutes a day
10) It’s a good way to end your day on a positive note by asking yourself, “What is the best thing that happened to me today?” and writing about that in the journal
Related blog posts:
Three Good Things — A New Twist on a Gratitude Journal
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Create a Happiness Jar — and Enrich Your Life in Less Than a Minute a Day
Feel-Good Way to Start 2015: List 200 Accomplishments
December Daily — a Fun Way to Document the Holidays
You Can Make Someone You Love the Best Gift Ever — at No Cost
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I LOVE this idea Diane!!! For years I did this on those big wall calendars and I used to love to look back over the years and see what I did on this or that date. Seems like life has gotten so hectic now even as we round out our 60’s and head into our 70’s – that I don’t take the time for so many little things that are so important and goodness I write about doing these very same kinds of things ALL THE TIME MYSELF … lol
Kay Comer recently posted…When it Rains Look for Rainbows – When it’s Dark Look for Stars
Hi Kay! This is really easy, too, and only takes two minutes, because all you have to do is ask yourself, “What was the most important thing that happened today?” Thanks for commenting.
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I believe that journals are very rewarding. Thanks for sharing.
Me, too. Thanks for commenting!
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love journaling!
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Extremely helpful article. Thanks for sharing!
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