Here’s the deal. I’ve never been a great historian of my own life. I admire the folks who keep detailed accounts of their days tucked away in composition notebooks and moleskines. What a gift to be transported back in time years later. However, try as I might, I’ve never been able to pick up this habit. (Blogging is the closest I’ve come!) I’d love to be able to look back at handwritten pages and recall dishes I ordered at restaurants and the songs I played on repeat for months at a time. I’d like to find sustainable ways to track my gratitude and personal triumphs.

So, what’s a girl who loves to start journals and abandon them three days later to do??? After a little reflection, I’ve landed on LISTS. I LOVE a list. I love to make them, I love to read them, I love to organize the random into neat little bullet points. Aha!

*Trumpet Sounds* Enter my new approach to journaling…THE LIST JOURNAL! 

And what do you think my very first list shall be? If you guessed a list of lists then *ding, ding, ding* you nailed it! A list of lists I want to write in my list journal.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far…

• Books that have motivated or inspired me to make changes in my life.
• My favorite topics of conversation.
• Where we take visitors when they come to Miami.
• All the acts of love that made up our beautiful wedding.
• Standard packing list.
• Every speech piece I ever competed with.
• Weird things I did when I was super broke.
• Reasons I love Wink.
• Stuff that makes me feel better when I’m sick.
• A running account of movies seen in the theater.
• Favorite YouTube workouts.
• Everything I’m thankful for on a given day.
• Folks I’d like to send letters to on a more regular basis.
• Chet’s masterfully prepared meals.
• My most worn clothing in a given season.
• Books I would recommend to someone who wants to read more.
• The best seasons of The Real World. 🙂
• Childhood memories that make me laugh.
• Photos I want to frame and display.
• People I admire.

My thought is that recording lists, along with the date, will give my future self a nice window into where I was in the world (physically, emotionally, AND mentally) at the time of composition. Or at least offer me an outlet to reflect on past events, articulate my gratitude, and mindfully create space for happiness. Wish me luck!

What do you think? Would you keep a list journal? Got any tips for being a better personal historian? I’d love to hear!! xoxo 

P.S. My notebook system and how I prioritize my passions.

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