I reviewed the Leuchtturm1917 Change Journal a couple of years ago and was really impressed with the contents. As a semi-newbie bujo-er at the time, I found Tim Jaudszim’s ideas to be really useful and empowering, and they gave me plenty of food for thought.
The journal features 24 ideas, and each one is accompanied by an easy-to-digest overview of the theory and why it could prove beneficial. There are so many fantastic templates to help you increase your productivity, set and reflect on goals, boost your self-confidence, and better organise your life.
I created the hashtag #JournalInMyStyle rather than #BujoInMyStyle because I wanted to cover different types of journaling, and I really like the way this monthly challenge has developed. So, for the August challenge, as well as the usual monthly cover page, I’m featuring a series of prompts based on some of my favourite suggestions in the Change Journal.
Highlights and lowlights
The Journal features template pages for you to try each idea every day for a week and see how you get on. There are a few consistent elements throughout all of these templates, including noting your highlight and lowlight of the day. I think this is important as I use my journal to track things I’m proud of and grateful for, as well as a space to unload the shit. I’m all for ending the day on a positive but I also feel better after having written down the negatives.
Quote
There are loads of lovely quotes dotted throughout the journal (one on the bottom of each template page plus some full-page quotes) and I like to do this with my own journal too.
IKIGAI
Some of you will be familiar with the concept of IKIGAI after the recent Oops a Daisy box, but, for any newbies, this roughly translates as your ‘reason for being’.
In the Change Journal, this actually features as one of the templates for the ‘clarity’ section. It’s all about understanding yourself a bit better. In this template, you’re encouraged to break down what you love, what your personal strengths are, what the world requires, and what you can get paid for, noting how your ‘passion’, mission’, ‘profession’, and ‘vocation’ cross over.
I also really like the quote on this page: “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be succcessful.” – Albert Schweitzer
Awesomeness List
Similarly, the ‘awesomeness list’ forms part of the ‘pitch yourself’ section. We ‘pitch’ ourselves in different ways, depending on the situation. Over the years, I’ve introduced myself in various ways:
“Hi, I’m Emma and I’m studying Film and Journalism.”
“Hi, I’m Emma and I’m one of the Comms Coordinators for The SU.”
“Hi, I’m Jenson’s Mum”.
I also find it weird that parent’s professions are noted on their children’s birth certificates. Why is that important?!
Write your Awesomeness List. What are your top skills? What are your strengths? What’s a weird or surprising fact about you? What traits do people admire in you? What achievements are you proud of? What do you like best about yourself?
Reading
I’m so glad that reading has it’s own section in the Change Journal. According to the Journal, 18% of men and 11% of women don’t read at all. Yet, besides the obvious (enjoyment, etc), there are loads of great reasons to read:
- Escapism
- Improve your creativity and vocabulary
- Boost your concentration and memory
- You’re more relaxed after just six minutes of reading
So for this prompt, I’d love to see something bookish from you, whether it’s your TBR, a recent review, your reading log, a favourite quote…
Weekly review
At the end of each week of templates, the Journal features a ‘weekly review’ where, amongst other things, you’re encouraged to note what you’re thankful for and what you’ve learned. Feel free to share other things you like to note or reflect on at the end of each week.
As usual, the challenge runs throughout the first week of the month, so be sure to post your pics 1-7 August, tagging me (@ACornishGeekLetters) and using #JournalInMyStyle.