Approaches to writing two-sentence journal entries | Hacker News Reader

Approaches to writing two-sentence journal entries

alexanderbjoy.com

95 pointsfi-le14 comments

I have been doing a one-line-a-day journal for the past two years. If I ever feel like writing more I have a separate section for that, but I only ever tell myself to write the one line. It's the first time I have been able to consistently write in a journal for a very long time before I started. My entries are not nearly as "composed" as the examples here, though, just tiny highlights of what happened during the day.

Is the point of journalling for you to have memories to look back on or to help you process what happened during the day or another reason? (I've never tried it so I'm trying to understand the purpose.)

Probably the biggest purpose for me is to have something to look back on. The last time I consistently journaled before this was during the time when I dated, got engaged to, and married my wife. Granted, that was more than a line journal, but it has been really nice for us to go back and read it together all this time later. With the line journal it is more of a prompt to help me remember that time period than a detailed description. But also I guess there is an autobiographical aspect to it that appeals to me--maybe someday I'll use it to help write an actual autobiography. And if not I also like to think of it as something to leave for my kids or grandkids to read when I'm gone.

I once made one photo out of my window every day for a year. "Project 266 days", I called it. That year (2016) had a few very foggy days, so all I was able to shot on those days was white. :D

I guess writing a short journal everyday is a bit similar like this. Just forcing yourself into a routine of some sort. Just to get one thing surely checked off per day.

> every day for a year. "Project 266 days", I called it

Okay, I have to ask an obvious question.

Typo. Not using AI yet to write my comments, so things can go wrong like this. :D

A pattern that tends to stay sustainable: first sentence is purely factual (what happened), second sentence is directional (what to adjust tomorrow). Still short, but much easier to use when you reread older notes.

The game, https://thousandyearoldvampire.com/, mentioned by the companion piece, https://alexanderbjoy.com/two-sentence-journal/, looks quite cool.

I’ve done four play throughs - two solo, two with a buddy - and they have been very satisfying. Highly recommend it. You can play a game with the pdf and a text file, or with a printout and a notepad, pretty much anywhere.

Another approach to journal writing is basically the opposite: rather than treating it like a task to fill with very rigid requirements - find a notebook and pen that you'll enjoy spending time with. An easy start is a Midori Ruled A5 (very simple, lay flat notebook) and a Uniball Zento Signature (the most hyped pen in the world right now) and treat them basically like little friends you spend time with. Writing only two sentences is denying yourself quality time writing and reflecting at a leisurely pace if you really come to enjoy it.

I'd also think you're more likely to read back if writing time is a fond memory.

Journaling on paper causes loads of paper with private information you either need to carry when you move or dispose somehow securely. It's nice if you own your house and don't move but if you do it's a pain

Digitize and burn.

Digest and excrete.

I've been using Leuchtturm1917 Some Lines a Day [0], and a separate notebook for whenever I feel like writing more, with great success. And a fountain pen, can't stress enough how important this one was – writing process went from "meh, I'll do it" to "fuck yeah, writing".

[0] https://www.leuchtturm1917.com/some-lines-a-day.html

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