E89: Tame Your Thoughts with Micro-Journaling

Journaling is a habit that I was never able to develop. I saw the benefits of journaling for other people, but could never make it work for myself. Until I found micro-journaling, and then everything changed. Join me for Episode 89 where you’ll learn all about this practice and how it can make a difference for you, too.
I bet you have a friend who is a journaller. That serene person who pours her heart out across the pages of a well-worn journal with flowery, introspective words. She seems confident in her own skin and has this amazing record of her life.
I never that thought that was achievable for me. I just don’t have that kind of time. And the big blank pages of a journal are more intimidating than they are comforting.
The benefits of journaling are obvious. A journal is a place to process your thoughts. It’s a way to preserve the moments and memories that matter in your life. And it’s a way to create a legacy. I saw these benefits in others and didn’t think it was possible for me.
During the pandemic lockdowns in 2020, I had trouble sleeping. I heard Pastor Craig Groeschel on a podcast mention how he loved his line-a-day, five year journal. I loved the idea... even I could write just a sentence or two every day, but five years is a long time, and I figured I wouldn’t see any kind of pattern or results for two or three years!
So I devised my own version of the line a day journal, and instead of cycling through every year, my version cycled through every month with numbered pages one through thirty-one. Every night before I went to bed, I went to the page for that day and jotted down a couple of sentences. Then I closed the notebook, put it in the nightstand drawer, and fell fast asleep. It was like I was capturing those swirling thoughts and giving them to God. After just a few weeks(instead of years!), I was able to see God’s faithfulness and my progress.
You probably have everything you need already to get started with your own journal. And the best thing is that it is so easy to do, pretty much anyone can fit it into their day.
There are so many ways to use a line a day micro-journal. Most people use it for daily reflections. But others use it as a gratitude journal, a baby’s first year, daily scripture writing, food logs or habit tracking.
A couple of years ago, I created the Move Forward Journal ... a small booklet-style line-a-day monthly journal. It’s the perfect size to tuck in the back of your Bible or planner to be handy every day, and it comes with a list of journal prompts on days when you might feel stuck.
Last year, I added a Deluxe version of the journal that includes goal planning pages to start the year, and quarterly and annual reviews to check your progress. You can learn more about the Move Forward Journal and order your copy at doanewthing.com/journal.
ACTION STEP
Give micro journaling a try! You can start simply like I did in any notebook laying around. If you head to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing, you can grab a micro-journaling starter kit that includes one micro-journaling layout sheet, the list of prompts, and the instructions for creating your own journal.
RESOURCES

The Move Forward Journal

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Are you tired from trying to share your God-inspired message while working your full time job? Do you wonder if it’s worth it, or even possible, to build a ministry or business on the side?
I have good news for you. It is possible. It is worth it. You can do it.
Download the Honor System Guide, to help you honor all the work God has given you to do.