New Journaling Method for the Last Month of 2024

It’s the end of the day. You’re lying in bed. The lights are off. The day flew by so fast. You can’t even remember what you did.

I was texting a friend on WhatsApp. She asked, “How was your day?”

That’s when it hit me. I couldn’t remember what I did in the afternoon. I didn’t even know what I had for breakfast. I've always known that I’m not very productive in the afternoons, especially between 2 and 4 p.m, but not having the faintest idea is not good at all. I started asking myself, Is this how I always spend my time?

Time and money feel similar to me. When I spend money on cute stuff at Daiso, at least I get something tangible. But with time? Once it’s gone, there’s nothing to show for it. *argh*

I’ve always been a planner girl. Even though I use Notion a lot now, I still keep a hardcover journal. Sometimes, writing things down just feels better than typing. There’s something magical about good old pen and paper!

Before, I followed a simple bullet journal method. I would list tasks, appointments, and reminders for the day. But sometimes, looking at that long list was overwhelming. Too many little tasks all piled up. Some people say, “Don’t write down every tiny detail of your life.” But if I don’t, I forget them. Simple tasks like vacuuming the floor, cleaning my diffuser, or changing my hamster’s sand bath often slip my mind.

So, I grabbed my journal and created a new template. I hope it helps you too ☺

With this template, I’m doing time-blocking without even realizing it. Plus, I’m learning to stay focused on the present moment. Writing exact times for tasks like “meal prep from 1-2 p.m.” doesn’t work for me. If I miss the start or finish time, I get frustrated. Now, I just write “meal prep in the afternoon,” and as long as I get it done, it's a win! No more stressing over the clock!

I also added a column for tracking meals. I’ve been snacking way too much lately, and I want to cut back. It’s time to get back on track with healthier habits.

P.S.: Remember to always count your wins, no matter how small they are! I’m also practicing being mindful of all the good things in life because where you put your awareness is what you will attract more of into your life! 

Let’s test this out in the final month of 2024. It’s great to have big goals, but I also want to start small and tweak things as I go. So far, it’s been 5 days into December, and I’m loving this new mini system.

Cheers to December, may all of us end the year with a bang!