Summary

The website content introduces the concept of a five-year journal as a unique and sustainable journalling habit, emphasizing the importance of starting it at the beginning of the year.

Abstract

The article discusses the five-year journal, a journaling method where each page is divided into five sections, one for each year, allowing the writer to document and reflect on the same day over five years. The author discovered this concept in December 2022 and immediately began the practice on January 1st, 2023. The journal is designed to capture memories, reflections, and areas for improvement with minimal pressure, as it requires only a few lines per day. The author uses the Notability app on an iPad with a template purchased from Etsy and recommends starting the habit now to avoid missing entries, which could diminish the motivation to continue. The process involves recording a memorable event, reflecting on what was great about the day, and considering areas for self-improvement. The author finds this method effective for maintaining a consistent journaling habit and suggests it as a low-pressure way to document life and foster gratitude and personal growth.

Opinions

The author believes that the five-year journal is a motivating way to maintain a journaling habit due to the ability to look back on previous years' entries.
They emphasize that starting the journal now, or at least within the next week, is crucial for sustaining the habit and avoiding the frustration of missing entries.
The author values the balance between reflecting on what could be improved and not being overly critical, suggesting that this practice encourages positive action without fostering regret.
They appreciate the limited space for writing, which makes the task less daunting and more approachable.
The author finds traditional gratitude practices less beneficial compared to reflecting on what was great about each day within the context of the five-year journal.
They are enthusiastic about the journaling method, claiming it to be the first they have consistently kept, with a notable success rate.

New Year, New Journalling Habit — Here’s One You Haven’t Tried Before

It’s the five-year journal but you need to get on it now or you never will!

I can’t remember where I first read about this concept but the timing was perfect.

It must have been mid-December 2022 and by the time I had gathered myself to take action and figure out how to get started, it was already January the first and time for my opening entry!

…the knowledge that I’d have these memories to look back on kept me motivated to keep going even though it wasn’t perfect.

1st Jan 2023, Antigua, Guatemala, post Cosmic Convergence festival — I was hungover and hadn’t slept so if I can do it, anyone can. Pic by author.

What is the five-year journal?

The concept is simple, every page has 5 spaces, one for each of the next 5 years with 5–6 lines to write in (see picture below).

The idea is that each year you come back to the same page each January 1st for example, to fill in what you did that day and you can compare it to previous years.

This is why it’s so important to start now (or at least in the next week or so) — because it’s really frustrating knowing that you have a chunk of missing entries and the chance of you sustaining the habit is much lower.

(Of course, starting part-way through the year is better than not starting at all… but now’s your chance!)

How I do it

I use Notability on my iPad and I purchased the template for a few dollars from Etsy (just Google 5-year journal and you’ll find it).

First I simply enter a little about the day usually something that happened though it could also be a thought I had.

I then reflect on what was great about the day. There is always SOMETHING great that happened — even if it was a painful lesson that I learned or an unpleasant experience that I reframed for example.

This is a way for me to approach gratitude — I never found much benefit from simply listing what I was grateful for.

Finally, I reflect on what I could improve.

This is a balance because I don’t want to encourage regret or practice finding fault in everything, but I also want to take positive action going forward.

I love that there is limited space to write. I find that that can sometimes be intimidating and so this means that the threshold to write something is low.

Some of my entries were a single line (especially when I missed my habit and had to go back).

An example 31st December 2023

What a great day, I got up early and took a walk with my puppy. We took it super easy, trained legs, got pizza at Blaze (f*cking love that place), and then did Lego and a puzzle in the evening. Bed by 10 pm. Nailed it! Anxious about tomorrow - something to work on.

5 lines. Super chill. Super easy. I highlighted the good parts and noted something that I can improve.

Why you should do it

It’s only a few lines long so the pressure to write is low.
There are no prompts and no rules, write anything, (or just upload a pic!)
Knowing you’ll be able to look back on previous years is motivating.
All this helps kick start a journalling habit AND…
…the short entry can spark deeper reflection which you can continue elsewhere. Or not!

This is the first journal that I’ve kept consistently (with maybe a 70% daily success rate) and so I’m raving about it.

It’s quick and easy and when you’ve completed it, you’ll have 5 glorious years of memories and reflections (as well as a pretty solid journaling habit!).

Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

1st Jan 2024, Florida, US. Another year, another sunrise, but this time after a good night's sleep. Pic by author.