How to Write Every Day for a Year

As the winter air fills with earthy tones of hot cider (at least in my house), I’d like to reflect on last year’s successes. Looking back on 2015, I am proud to add another accomplishment to the refrigerator because I wrote every day for a year. That’s right! All 365 days of 2015 have an entry somewhere, somehow in my Bullet Journal.

Entries weren’t necessarily a winding bout of odious verse. Instead, most items consisted of one line each day. These entries ranged from items on my to-do list to fully descriptive entries of my travels.

One Line a Day

5 mins.

By writing at least one line every day, these seemingly minute details allow me to leaf through what could have been a jumble of mismatched, dusty files in the creaky cabinets of my memory. And much of this success is owed to Ryder Carroll’s Bullet Journal system. (Click the link to watch the updated guide on how to get started.)

Some days, only that one entry stood. Other days, the page struggled to carry the spillage poured in a single flash of genius (or mad panic. Whichever best suited the situation). The point is that I was writing. Every. Single. Day.

In 2016, I intend to continue this successful habit. And I challenge you to do the same . . . for one week. During each of the seven days, take five minutes before going to bed to write at least one line. I suggest using a planner to easily keep track of the days you wrote them, but a physical inspiration board or a text note on Evernote would work well, too. Wherever it is, stick to the same medium for every day of this challenge.

That one line (or series of lines) can be as simple as “January 6 – Aunt Beth’s Birthday!” or more complex like “January 10 – Quote of the Day: ‘If you read what everyone else is reading, then you will think like everyone else is thinking’ by Haruki Murakami. My goal is to read two books outside of mainstream novels by February 29.” Jot down as little or as much as you desire, as long as you have that one line.

At the end of the week, share your experience with a confidant. Or perhaps send me an e-mail with what you thought (Bonus challenge!). Did you feel productive or accomplished? Would you consider continuing this practice for the entire year? How would you adjust this challenge to better fit your lifestyle?

Whatever you decide . . . Write on, lovelies!