Every Wednesday I’m recording how The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin has influenced my daily life. To read my introductory post, click here.
Family history is a big part of the LDS faith; it serves both practical purposes and grand theological ends. Consequently, there is a great deal of emphasis on keeping our own records, writing a journal, etc. Unfortunately, I have always been bad at this in its more traditional form. Even with this blog, there have been times of feast and times of famine.
So when I read about Gretchen’s experiment with keeping a one-sentence journal, it seemed like the perfect idea. If I tell myself I only have to write one sentence a day, it doesn’t feel so daunting. And it will still be creating a record of the early days of my daughter’s life, which, if she’s anything like her mother, she will one day just eat up.
Some days I have only managed a sentence like this one from April 28, written after a two-week lull:
I thought I would rock at a one-sentence journal, but apparently, I also suck at this type of journaling.
But other days I have written 4 or 5 run-on sentences. Well done, me.
Linds–a journal entry can also include information from “secondary sources”……. Here is “one” sentence from me to you to include in your journal…which Addison can also devour.
One sentence: Addison, your Mom is a great bonder in every sense of the word!
Comment by holly — May 27, 2010 @ 5:45 am
Thanks for the secondary source, Auntie Holly! Since you mentioned the idea, I’ve been using secondary sources occasionally (posts from Facebook or emails). That’s a great tip from an expert journaler!!
Comment by llcall — June 2, 2010 @ 3:46 am
Ask Gpa/Gma about one of your ancestors that wrote “one sentence” journal entries. Here is a clue…”EBE.”
Comment by holly — June 2, 2010 @ 8:18 am
Hello! It’s your fellow red-head Gretchen Rubin — I just had to leave a comment to say how thrilled I am to hear that my work resonates with you. I can’t wait to see what you’ll write on Wednesdays. Now I’m off to read through your archives, I love your blog! warmly, Gretchen
Comment by Gretchen Rubin — May 27, 2010 @ 10:33 am
Thanks for your comment, Gretchen. I don’t think I would have believed it was really you, if not for that funny blog post you mentioned a few weeks back from the blogger who thought your comment was a big gag! Congratulations on the success of your book…I’m doing my part to keep it on the bestseller list, recommending it to friends and family whenever they’re looking for their next read!
Comment by llcall — June 2, 2010 @ 4:03 am
I understand that struggle. I keep mine on the computer, since it’s easier to access. Last year each of the kids got 2 entries in their files – so sad. But I suppose it’s better than nothing. I decided a few months back, that every time I had something funny I wanted to tell someone(about the kids), it also needed to go in the “journal”. It’s made it a little easier, Nathan already has 2 entries – hehe. Teresa still has one, but I plan to write all about the end of 6th grade activities for her to read later. But, I think our blogs are a great journal. I can’t say they’ll be around forever, but there are ways to publish them, if we can every find the time. Actually, now that I think about it – You could copy and paste the posts about Addison into her own “Journal” file, and have a great record.
(That’s really cool that Gretchen posted)
Comment by Jolene — May 27, 2010 @ 5:16 pm