A few days back I posted about my new journey using The Five-Minute Journal and said I’d let you all know how it’s gone for 5 days- and now it’s been more than that but I decided to wait to post on Mommy Review Monday. 
I did make it the solid 5 days that it challenged me to do in the intro and I’ll soon be rewarding myself with a new large white pie dish (and you can bet I’ll be baking a big apple pie in it first)! In case you’re wondering, it has you identify a reward if you do complete 5 days in a row (carrot) and a consequence if you don’t make it (stick). My consequence was to give Garen $100. I realize that may be a stupid consequence. (I had a really hard time coming up with something).
So here’s what I think so far…
What I like:
- It only takes 5 minutes. Seriously. They weren’t lying. It only takes that long total for morning and night entries combined. If you’re taking more than that you aren’t writing what comes to your mind first, which seems beyond the point to me.
- I really like the quotes of the day. They’re all very inspirational and not all the ones you hear over and over again.
- I like the challenges. One day a week there’s a random challenge. This week is to read or skim over your favorite book. Fun, right?
- It’s nice looking back at what you thought would make the day great in the morning VS. what actually made the day great at the end of the day.
- It’s geared towards the positive. We all could use a bit more of that in our lives.
- I like the texture of the cover. Yes, that kind of thing does matter to me. Weird, I know.
- I like that there’s a ribbon in it for a bookmark. I’m always up for added convenience.
- I think that it has been super helpful in reminding me how incredibly fortunate I am. In a world where I just got irritated because my same-day Amazon shipment didn’t make it, I sure can use this as a kick in the rear. A positive kick in the right direction.
- Priced at $22.95 and sold by Intelligent Change on Amazon, I think it’s well worth the money. Don’t they say “you can’t put a price on happiness” or something like that?!? As a side note, I just discovered their website and it looks amazing so I’ll be checking that out too. Told ya I was a nerd!
What I would change:
- I would make the cover a darker color. I’m imagining how dirty it might get after making a few overnight work trips with me.
- I’d also give the cover a little more flex. I like journals to flex a bit more than a traditional hardcover but I know I’m just being picky and they had to cater to a wide array of preferences. I’m sure this is a good happy medium.
- I would include a pen holder on it. One of the initial challenges that I identified when considering excuses I might come up with to not write in it religiously– Failure to have a pen conveniently nearby. Lazy, yes. Truth, also yes. I keep one in my nightstand but who knows if I’ll always remember to put one on my hotel night stand when I travel.
- Maybe slightly more room to write. Not very much or it would encourage writing too much, defeating its own purpose.
So, there you have it. I think it’s great and I would highly recommend to anyone who:
- Wants to have a more positive outlook on life
- Wants to journal but doesn’t know where to start
- Wants to journal but doesn’t have time
- Wants to be more grateful for the people and circumstances in their lives
Chicken Minus Head 