P365 July Journaling - Moment by Moment

[Janet]

Changing the name on this challenge a bit - but it's still the same. :) This has helped me SO much with seeing how to Record Today that I'll continue it through July. If you didn't jump in on June, start today!

It's hard to start journaling if you've never really done it before - don't worry, this is EASY - and there's NO grading! LOL!

For those of us who LOVE to write, journaling too much can be the problem. I need to just jot a sentence or two to remind me of the moment, but instead of doing that, I don't write anything, thinking I'll get to it later, but I never get around to it. Then the moments pile up and I feel overwhelmed...or they slip away, completely forgotten.

So - whether you're like me and can fill reams of paper, or if you have trouble even getting a title out, this challenge is for you. :)


MOMENT BY MOMENT THROUGH JULY

One sentence at a time. One photo (or photo subject) at a time.



All you have to do is take the ONE STEP. That's it. Just do it each day.

Get yourself a *SMALL* notebook - something that fits in your purse or pocket easily. It can be a leather bound one, or a spiral one. Something 'formal' or completely informal. (Spiral ones can have the pages ripped out to staple to a page, or glue to the back - voila! Hybrid! :rofl:)
Keep it with you. Oh, and something to write with. :rolleyes:
When you have a spare moment, write down what you're doing, or what you did earlier. It can be and probably should be the mundane stuff. For example, I could write in mine right now, "Paid the bills - and even with the recent cost of the root canal, we still have enough to make for a nice vacation. YAY!"
If you forget it - don't worry - don't fret - just jot some notes before you go to bed. If you miss a day, there's always another one coming up. :) THIS IS PRACTICE to see if you like it and it'll work for you. Commit to today - each day through July.

That's it! You can capture in there - or even just make a note of the cost of gasoline and how much it cost you to fill up. Staple a grocery receipt in there. Whatever seems to work. Add in the time of day if you're inclined to do that, or don't. Is there a photo that goes with your sentence? Take it if you can - or not - some photos you can take anytime (like I can take a macro photo of my checkbook or the way I keep track of our bills).

Just in July - we can do this. 31 days, though, can get us in to the habit of it. So if you want to learn to journal more (or less in my case), this should help get us all taking it MOMENT BY MOMENT.

Here are some companion challenges as well (shout if you see others):
Project 365 Chats (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=37838)
the Darndest Things Kids Say (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38430)
Tuesday Night Speed Scraps (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=852)
Suzanne's Journaling Tidbit-Starters (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38683)
KISS - Big Summer Plans (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38682)
DSP Project 365 - photo a day at Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/groups/dsp365/)
9 on the 9th (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=768)
Scrapping with the Stars (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=106)
Tara's Storytelling Class (http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10752)

[GailS]

There's a free app with the iPhone called Voice Memos (I think it magically appeared when I did my 3.0 upgrade) that I find myself using a lot for other things (i.e. reminders for the store, when I'm taking pictures). I bet it would come in handy for this, if you have the iPhone and don't want to carry the notepad around.

[Janet]

OOOH! :) Thanks for the tip! I'm sure that would work well for a lot of folks. The key to all of this is finding what works for YOU! :D

[omio]

There's a free app with the iPhone called Voice Memos (I think it magically appeared when I did my 3.0 upgrade) that I find myself using a lot for other things (i.e. reminders for the store, when I'm taking pictures). I bet it would come in handy for this, if you have the iPhone and don't want to carry the notepad around.

I've also heard of a free iPhone app called Jott that does the same thing. Wish I could use it on my iPod Touch or convince someone to let an iPhone work with Verizon. :(

[scamptx]

I got curious since I love my Pod and figure it's the same as the phone without the phone and the camera...sure enough, there's an app for Voice Memo Recorder for the Touch, but it costs $1.99. :D

[Tara]

Hey all you journalers. Make sure you check out the newest DSU class about Storytelling taught by...yours truly! :)

http://store.digitalscrapbookplace.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=10752

[stitchmich]

I am not doing well at all with my daily journalling. I did however sign up for Tara's new Storytelling class, so maybe I'll get better!! :D

[Janet]

I just posted some of my thoughts on my blog (http://snowmoon.us/blog/?p=1021) about the fulllness of all those notes I took in June and how I'm really looking forward to continuing this in July. :)

If you find you're having trouble with this, here are some tips that help me:

Keeping the notebook with you most of the time (I'm NOT an auditory person - so the iPhone stuff wouldn't work well for me, but it might for you). Just like keeping your camera with you to improve your photos and capture your moments to scrap, keeping the notebook at hand helps remind you to make notes.
Use a notebook you're comfortable with. If you tried one that's really casual, maybe try an upgraded one - I've fallen into step with a small leather one, but writing on that first page is still hard!
Find 5 minutes in the evening to go over your day if you haven't written in it that day. Just a sentence or two is all you need, so before you go to bed works, or after supper.
Stick mostly to the facts - I want this to be a journal I'd feel comfortable with pretty much anyone reading. This isn't my 'dump the thoughts' morning journal.
NOTHING is too ordinary to write. The other day I wrote: "Grumpy today - took a nap to try and reboot." The weather is also a very valid thing to note (that often makes it into mine).
Keep at it. I've tried for YEARS to keep a journal - started and stopped oh, so many! It wasn't until I actually made the commitment to add journaling to my schedule that I finally found myself filling notebook after notebook. If you don't want to commit to 'always' - just commit to recording the details of this week. Then see about next week and the rest of July.

[Janet]

Ok, I now realize that little notebook is INVALUABLE - DH had a mishap yesterday with the wood splitter and lost part of a finger - off to the emergency room - and I now have IN A SPOT I KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND IT AGAIN everything that happened - who was in there, what doctors he saw, what meds were given, What we've paid already and the receipts, notes on all the follow up stuff that'll need to happen. SO...six months or more down the road when insurance catches up with us, I can go back and find exactly what happened.

And the records and such will go into the 3-ring binder I'm using for my 2009 scrapbook - ONE spot to put that type of 'life happens' type stuff.

Oh, and pulling out a little notebook and starting to write got EVERYONE's attention - and while I was doing for insurance issues that I know will come down the road, they all made sure I knew exactly what was going on. It's a good hospital anyway, so I'm not sure it made that huge of a difference, but they DID notice.

[scamptx]

Oh ouch. Hugs going your way, Janet!

I need to get a *little* notebook to carry. I keep my big one with me in my work bag during the week, and use it at odd times, but that's too awkward.

[Lauri]

Ok, I now realize that little notebook is INVALUABLE - DH had a mishap yesterday with the wood splitter and lost part of a finger - off to the emergency room - and I now have IN A SPOT I KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND IT AGAIN everything that happened - who was in there, what doctors he saw, what meds were given, What we've paid already and the receipts, notes on all the follow up stuff that'll need to happen. SO...six months or more down the road when insurance catches up with us, I can go back and find exactly what happened.

And the records and such will go into the 3-ring binder I'm using for my 2009 scrapbook - ONE spot to put that type of 'life happens' type stuff.

Oh, and pulling out a little notebook and starting to write got EVERYONE's attention - and while I was doing for insurance issues that I know will come down the road, they all made sure I knew exactly what was going on. It's a good hospital anyway, so I'm not sure it made that huge of a difference, but they DID notice.


OMG Janet, how awful for your DH! I hope he's going to be OK. It sounds like you are really going to appreciate having all that info available later.

My 3 sisters and their families has been visiting for the past week and I've been writing down all the places we've been visiting and other stuff we've done, which should help when figuring out where photos were taken and when! Thanks so much for the encouragement to do quick journalling this last month, I'm definitely going to keep it up!!

[Janet]

Thanks - he's really healing up and able to do more and more each day. We head in tomorrow to get the bandages changed and a peek at how it's healing.

I still need to make notes about yesterday before I forget all we did. If you haven't tried this method of journaling, it's never too late to start - just start today. :tup:

[scamptx]

I got curious since I love my Pod and figure it's the same as the phone without the phone and the camera...sure enough, there's an app for Voice Memo Recorder for the Touch, but it costs $1.99. :D

I haven't explored it, but after I upgraded the pod with the newest, the app is there...

[scamptx]

So glad to hear he's healing, Janet.

Today, I am going to start my notebook. I have a small one in my purse...now to remember to use it!

[Donut]

I started this on Wednesday 27th May, which must have been the first day I saw Janets idea for the June journaling challenge, and I am so proud to say I haven't missed a day yet!
Ok, sometimes I don't write for a day or 2, but then I catch up. I started with a notebook file on my laptop, and I still update that regularly to keep it all in one place, but I now carry a small notebook with me all the time its becoming second nature to pull it out and jot a few words down every now and then.
I've never managed to keep up a normall diary for long, it always seemed such a chore, but this is so easy to do and so much fun to read back on the things I've written so far!

Thanks Janet for the idea,and for reminding and cheering us all on! I hope your hubby is recovering well, that sounds really nasty! Ouch!

[Janet]

Glad to hear this is working for you! :) DH's hand is starting to heal - went to the Dr. yesterday and now we'll be changing the bandages daily. It's still swollen and looks awful, but better than before.

I'm simply amazed at how full life is just be looking back over a sentence here and a sentence there.

Gentle reminder: Stop and jot down what you're doing right now. :)

[Janet]

Gentle reminder - jot a note or two of what you're doing now or just did. :)

[Janet]

Gentle reminder: Make a note or two about what you're doing this weekend. :)

[Donut]

Thanks Janet! Hope your hubbys hand is healing well now.

[Janet]

Thanks, Donut - it looks a little better each day - and he's able to do a little more each day.

[Janet]

Hee Hee!!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait for CIJ - I have a project for you that'll make all these notes jump out at you! Keep making those notes!

[Donut]

Hee Hee!!!!!!!!!!! I can hardly wait for CIJ - I have a project for you that'll make all these notes jump out at you! Keep making those notes!

Oooh that sounds exciting Janet!! :santa1:

[Janet]

Hint: It's a project that's quick, easy, takes kit(s) you already have, and is as easy as the notes you're taking.

If you haven't started keeping notes on your life - one sentence at a time, find a small notebook, or open a file on your computer, and start today. :)

[Lauri]

Hint: It's a project that's quick, easy, takes kit(s) you already have, and is as easy as the notes you're taking.

If you haven't started keeping notes on your life - one sentence at a time, find a small notebook, or open a file on your computer, and start today. :)

:think: I am intrigued!! I can't wait to find out what you've come up with...I'm sure it will be fun! :santa:

[scamptx]

Oh boy--I'll bet it's going to be good!

[Janet]

Ummmm...yeah...I'm finding it so fun, it's rather addicting and a bit too easy to get lost in! Time to add in 6 more layouts to my tally for the year.

I NEED to pay some attention to my laundry. (that sound you hear is me tearing myself away from this project to focus on the Monday tasks that need to happen)

[Janet]

Gentle reminder - find a few minutes to jot down a few notes about what you've done today (and yesterday if you forgot).

One from today from me:
We had a Western Bluebird pair taking a peek at the birdhouse the Mountain Chickadees used earlier. Then a White Breasted Nuthatch pair came to take a look - they looked it over more thoroughly than the bluebirds. Househunters galore today.

Yeah, I know, not big news, but fun to spend a half hour watching the birds and soaking in the sun and the rural life silence.

[Donut]

That sounds wonderful Janet, sitting in the sun, watching the birds, peace and quiet...when can I come?! :santa1: The thought makes me long for Spring!

Here's what I got up to yesterday, no where near as exciting (or as quiet!!)

A dull day, rain on and off. Becky Alex & Alex were on the computers most of the day, Em on mine doing her homework. Alex still has a really bad cold, the joke about having a Mexican with flu in the house has not yet got stale! Becky Em & I went to the local bakers to get lunch for everyone, but they are shut for 2 weeks, so we tried out the new one down the road. Butter chicken pies were dissapoinitng but the quiche was good Becky said. Also visited the new videostore, and rented Disney Buzz game, and Lilo and Stitch movie. Several rounds of Buzz later and I helped Becky cook dinner as Alex was too sick to cook the meal he had planned (chicken spicy wraps - can't remember the mexican name for them!) Becky and Em watched Lilo and Stitch in the eve while Alex and Alex battled on PSPs. I finally got my laptop back and caught up on DSP stuff during the movie.

[Janet]

Gentle reminder: Write down a sentence or two about what's happened today. :)

[Lauri]

Thanks for the reminder Janet!! Any more hints about what fun you have thought up for CIJ?? Inquiring minds want to know! :lol:

[uk_jw]

i'm a few weeks behind putting my 365 pages together but am finding the journalling to be a surprising upside of the whole endevour.

[Janet]

Journaling, no matter HOW you do it, is always a good thing. :)

[Janet]

Gentle reminder - jot down a sentence or two about what you've done today! :)

[Donut]

Thanks Janet! I'm still going...I think this must be a record for me, I've not missed a day (well, ok might have missed one or two as they go by, but I have gone back and filled any gaps that same week!) since Wed 27th May! I'm finding my notes invaluable when doing layouts, even this soon after I find things jotted down there that I might otherwise have forgotten!