Review on The Start today Journal

Do you like journaling or currently have a journal that you use consistently? You are ah-mazing! I want to be you by the end of 2019...that's one of my goals anyways.

I definitely like the idea of journaling and/or using a planner, but have always found it difficult to keep up.  Back in high school, we were given a planner to keep up with schoolwork, tasks to-do, schedule tests and quizzes coming up... obviously I went to school pre-cell phone era, yeesh that totally aged me. 

Anyways, my point is that in those years, I was very organized and productive. Why didn't I continue the habit? Looking back, I really wish I did.

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​Now, the shelf filled with a few-pages-used of planners and half-used journals leaves me feeling so unaccomplished and to be honest a little embarrassed, because I know what a great habit it is to keep. I have thought about jumping right back in and have cyber-stalked many a planner and bujo keeper out there on Instagram, but I can't help but feel a bit intimidated by the whole process when I look at some ready-made journals out there, like the beautifully thoughtful ones you see from Erin Condren (see the images below).  ​Note: This blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).

The over-achiever in me wants to jump in and buy Erin's awesome planners and swears that I'll keep up with it, but the lazy gal in me looks at it and is already overwhelmed. Does that happen to you?

Why journal or plan?

From what I understand, journaling is a very healthy habit to adopt for lots of reasons. Here are a few that stuck out for me:

1. ​It can help promote mental health as it can help one gain control of your emotions simply by writing them down.
2. It helps one to gain insight by liberating one from self-limiting beliefs
3. It helps clear ones head and heal from emotional pain

There are soooooo many other reasons.  Just check out this article on 83 Benefits of Journaling for Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Management as published by Positive Psychology Program.

​Planning is a bit different than journaling, however, lots of planners include areas where one can journal about their day.  Besides, planning also has lots of pros:

1. Planning can help with time management.
2. Planning can help one's productivity helping to be more efficient.
3. Planning is a great way to keep ones records, i.e. spending, daily routines, to-do's, etc.

Again, looking at all the benefits makes me want to say YES! to all the things! YES, to journaling, Yes, to planning, yes to mental health, yes to being productive.... and then I'm like whoa, that's a whole lot to digest all at once.

​I'm telling you the over-achiever, lazy thing is real in this one.

Start small

Enter this beautiful soul, Rachel Hollis.  A motivational speaker, best selling author and overall kick-ass lady who is building her empire in real-time by being real and sharing what has helped her get to where she is.  

She is likened to the female Tony Robbins of our time.  She is a a powerhouse!

After I read Rachel Hollis', Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, I cannot get enough of this amazing lady now. She is so inspiring in a beautiful, real-life, refreshing way. ​

On my way to work I almost always catch her and her husband's, Dave Hollis', morning show on either Facebook or Instagram and after devouring as much of their content as I could in the last couple of months, it was hard to neglect the pull to buy their new journal called the Start Today journal.

PC via Instagram: @starttodayjournal, @marquez_partyof6, @nienkerdt

After they completely sold out in their first batch, I was one of the fans that set the alarm and was click-ready when they went live with their second batch of journals. Here I am, a total non-journaler (is that a word?) and I found myself ordering 6 of Start Today Journals to give to family and friends and keep a couple for myself. Not to mention a few of the wire-bound notebooks to compliment the journals. 

So much for starting small, heh?

So what's so special about the Start Today Journal?

What I love about this company is that Rachel and Dave give real, tangible advice and tips to get going on your journey RIGHT NOW! Heck, it's called the Start Today journal on purpose.

In essence, this journal is a simple quarterly journal where you literally take 8-10 minutes in the morning to write 5 things that you're grateful for and 10 things "that you made happen".  In other words, 10 things that you're working toward, goals you have, that you write as though they've already a part of your reality.

What's more, there's a section in the front that helps you gather your thoughts and write down all your BIG dreams.  You know, all the dreams you're probably just a bit embarrassed to say out loud to anyone because they might seem like too much. That's the point though, to put all the aspirations, goals, HUGE dreams no matter the pre-judgement we might've already assigned them in our minds...put them down on paper in black and white. Then the next section allows for you to think about what you might need to do in order to make those "outlandish" dreams a reality.
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Then the daily 8 minute journaling begins and I am proud to say that I have stuck to it.  Haven't missed a day since I started and I look forward to it too.  It's become my dream time, my me time and the part of the morning that sets my day on a positive path. 

There's something to be said about affirming to yourself all that you are and all that you are grateful for.  Something as simple as writing down, "I drink 85oz of water a day," I find that I actually AM!

If something small like that can happen so fast, then I better get to work breaking down all the other big dreams. 2019 is a great year for positive change and its going to Start Today!

Update: Sadly, the Start Today journal's 2nd batch of journals is all sold out for the season. But keep your eyes open and your fingers ready to buy one when the next batch comes out in spring, March 2019. 
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