Some things are just good for your brain.
No matter what’s going on inside it, what illnesses or challenges or mental health issues we may have — some activities are magic.
Like…
Walking among trees.
Moving your body.
Human contact.
Journalling.
None of them are going to cure anything on their own, of course, but all of them make things just a little bit better, or less painful, or less difficult, or more beautiful.
Do you journal?
If not, may I respectfully suggest you start?
And if you don’t know where to start, this email might help.
I journal in three separate places, which might sound a little unhinged, but bear with me. I’m not suggesting you also journal in different places, I simply want to give you options to try.
#1 I use 750words.com and have done for years now
I have a 1,553 day unbroken writing streak. So far, I’ve written 1,881,587 words in this site alone. I’m writing this email to you in there right now. You can try it out for free, and if you sign up it’s just $5 a month I believe.
The idea is that before we do anything else in a day, we write at least 750 words. It’s based on the idea of “morning pages” — emptying your brain, allowing it to wander, clearing out any head trash.
I’ve talked myself down off many ledges on 750 Words because something magical happens when we write down things we’re worried about: they become less frightening. We see them for what they really are and we’re able to put a plan in place to deal with them.
And writing down my big ideas help me take them from castles in the sky to a thing I can actually start.
#2 I plan my days in my daybook
I have a paper notebook (Dingbats, of course) in which I plan every day and record my ideas, notes, anything related to my business.
On the left page I have an hour-by-hour schedule, segmented. There’s also a daily “get to do” list, a “ta da” list where I record the 3 things that will make my day a win, a gratitude space, and place to share 3 things I’m proud of.
On the right facing page, there’s a heading — “THURSDAY IDEAS” — under which I note down anything that slams into my brain and seems interesting. Ideas for my business, for books, for emails and articles to write. Snippets people say, info about clients or contacts or networking sessions.
On other pages I have client notes, or notes from trainings I’ve taken, or book/article outlines.
At the front of the book is an index, so I can easily find information.
At the back of the book is my Project Holding Tank, which I implemented after reading Cal Newport’s Slow Productivity, and which makes my to-do list much less stressful.
#3 I keep a commonplace book and use it most days
My other paper notebook, which goes everywhere with me, is a kind of scrapbook. Most days, I divide the page into four and label them:
- Draw (doodling space)
- Did (things I’ve done that day)
- Saw/heard (things I’ve seen or heard that struck me as funny or interesting)
- Quote (a quote I’ve read or heard and want to remember)
Other days, I might fill a page with a drawing, or fill it with a written entry in coloured pen.
I have tickets and postcards and labels stuck in there, stuff from trips and days out with friends. Photos. Memories.
When I don’t do my journalling, I feel scratchy and wrong. Like I have jagged edges and nothing quite fits.
And when I’m stuck for inspiration and the words won’t come, I flip through an old notebook or journal. Past me had some great ideas and collected other people’s brilliance, and there’s always something to write about…
Do you journal?
How do you do it?
Share a pic of your notebook or digital scrapbook, if you’re willing. It’d be fun to make a collage of how different people chronicle their lives.
p.s. here’s a couple of brilliant newsletters I subscribe to on the subject of journalling:
- ​Good Things Come To Those Who Journal — reflections on journalling and some great journal prompts.
- ​Noted by Jillian Hess — this is one of my absolute favourite newsletters. Jillian Hess digs through other people’s notebooks and shares her learnings — people from Eminem to Octavia E. Butler, Emerson to Maya Angelou. It’s wonderful.
How to work with The MicroBook Magician
​Nonfiction Book Ghostwriting: Idea to book in just 20 weeks
​Buy My Book: How the hell do you write a book?
​VIP Book Breakthrough Day: Make a quantum leap in book progress in just one day
​Book Coach In Your Pocket: Your first draft done (or all but) in just 30 days
​MicroBook Magic: Write your MicroBook in just 8 weeks
​Creative Playground: Write every day + get advice, support, and bonus access to my workshops! (1 week trial for £1)