In 2023, I started a journaling practice. I wrote when i can, I wrote when I have ideas, I wrote when ideas overflew.
This is the result: My imperfect 2023 journal binder.
On these hundred of pages are all of my notes from January to December 2023.
THE SET UP
I used my precious A5-sized binder. It allowed me to replace filled pages with blank ones when the binder was filled up. I find this size is perfect as it was small enough to fit in my backpack, and it was quick for me to fill up a page.
I wrote with my Lamy or my uni-ball fine vision pens. I found that keeping the ink colour consistent helped me be more sane.
Other than that, I just wrote. I focused on writing, nothing more or less. No decorations, no other colours, just pen and paper.
THE FLOW
I wrote anything out, my feelings, my thoughts, my to-do list, I wrote until I had nothing else to write.
I brain-dumped.
It was always helpful to brain dump.
It allowed my thoughts to be released in a respectfully and non-judgemental way. It cleared my mind. It also helped keep a record of my abstract thoughts. It honed my writing and reasoning skills.
2023
I never thought I would be able to continue this practice but I kept this habit for one whole year. This is how consistency does its magic. It is not one major success but the success comes from very minimal achievements every day.
Now I had a binder for 2023 only with all of my memories and thoughts in it.
Now I had a binder that I could go back on to review and relive “me” in 2023.
Now I have a testament to my commitment and ability to form good habits, maintain consistency, and pursue progress.
ONWARDS TO 2024
I am not stopping this practice possibly until I am externally unable to do so.
I already started my 2024 notebook. This time, it’s not a binder as I have a few new notebooks I want to use. There are quite a bit of changes to it so far in the way that it is much cleaner and more colourful.
I added a coloured pencil box and some kid stamps to my tool kits for some little decorations. The goal is still to write things down as I go to capture my thoughts and ideas.
I am so excited to review this book at the end of the year.
LET’S TURN OVER TO YOU:
How are you practicing your writing ritual?
Would you start writing and journaling?
Would you let your thoughts come out on paper, acknowledge them, and let them come to life?
Would you write them out and then let them go?
If you plan to start, I would recommend with just pen and paper! Make it easy (like what James Clear recommended in the book “The Atomic Habits”).
Do it imperfectly at first, do not judge, do not overthink. Just do it.
Good luck and happy journalling,
Best,
ThaoNB
#Day15 #30DayWritingChallenge