30 Day Journals
By Doreene Clement
Whether you journal now, or have never kept a journal, you
can keep a 30 day journal. Journaling for 30 days about one
specific topic, can support you in many ways. Recording your
thoughts, feelings, dreams, and desires, even recording
just-the-facts, for 30 days is a powerful tool. You can track your
ideas and experiences, realizing both your joys and your fears
about a single topic. You can use this 30 day system for most topics, and
throughout your journaling.
Think about what is happening in your life right now. Then think
about a topic you would like to track or record on a daily basis:
Your diet, finances, a relationship, a new experience, your job,
a dream you've always had, a change you want to make.
Getting started
Decide if you want to use the computer, a blank book,
a notebook, or sheets of paper for your journal. If you are writing,
pick a pencil or pen that is easy to use and is comfortable for
you. Set aside a time and place every day for your journaling.
Make this your time for you.
You may or may not want to date your journal. You can even
include the time of day when you journal, especially if you are
journaling about feelings, health or diet. The time of day can affect
our outlook. For example, at certain times of the day we may
have more energy or be more tired.
Write as much or as little as you want. Some days you may
have more to write about than other days. There is no set amount
you need to write each day. Slow down as you begin to write
and feel what your thoughts are on that day about your topic.
It may help to close your eyes, calm your thoughts, and
remember to breathe easily.
Journaling
As you begin your journal, write what the topic is that you
have picked, i.e., I want to better understand my relationship
with my friend Betty, or I want to process my feelings about
the passing of my parents, or I want to know where every penny
I spend goes.
Next state your goal about the topic, and then how you, at this
point in time, plan to resolve getting to your goal.
Example - My Goal - I want to understand who Betty is.
My Resolution - I will write a list of my likes and dislikes.
Example - My Goal - To feel my current feeling about my parents.
My Resolution - I am going to write my memories about them.
Example - My Goal - To better understand what I spend money on.
My Resolution - I will record every expense amount, what it was
for, and the day I spent it.
Every day, write 3 words that best describe how you feel
about your topic that day.
Good, moving, curious
Angry, confused, frustrated
Every 5 days, confirm if your topic, goal, and resolution need
changing, and if so, change them.
Every 10 days, re-read your journaling and write a summary of
how you feel about the last 10 days of writing.
After 30 days
Decide if you want to keep your journal, or dispose of it in
a safe way.
You may find that you have reached your goal and resolved
your topic before the end of 30 days. If so, stop journaling. Or,
you may find that you want to explore this topic further, so start
another 30 day journal. There is no set amount of time, 30 days
is a guideline. Your time for a particular topic may be 10 days,
45 days, 90 days, etc. If you journal several topics, each topic
can vary in the number of days. Journal until you feel complete
and supported.
Copyright 2002 Doreene Clement All Rights Reserved
About the Author:
Doreene Clement is the creator of The 5 Year Journal a
journal where you can journal your life in one book for 5 years.
You can sign up for her free journaling newsletter and tour the book at www.the5yearjournal.com or order it
HERE.
