Once I saw the physical product, I immediately understood why she panicked. My sister in law Amanda had switched to a new phone and her journal, that she had faithfully written in for years, was gone. Fortunately, she was able to retrieve it…but until she worked it out, she was pretty devastated. After you read her words, you will understand why. These journals are beautiful and are just a daily commitment to enter pieces of her life on her phone every night. Amanda has been a faithful journal writer most of her life and since May 2018 she has kept her journal digitally with DAY ONE JOURNAL. Currently she has created 564 journal entries with them. This is not a sponsored post, we both just genuinely love their product.
Why are you a faithful journal writer?
It’s a combination of a few things. I remember the day that I got baptized, our family friend Chris Snell gave me a children’s Bible and a journal for my baptism. I was so excited to get such nice gifts. I remember Chris telling me to record this special day so I could always look back on it and remember it. So, I have Chris Snell to thank for planting a priceless seed.
I started documenting my life at 8 years old. I still have my first journal to this day. I think starting to write every night like I did really helped my handwriting! 🤣
My mom has also been a very good journal writer. I remember as a young child I used to watch her write in her journal. About eight years ago, when my grandma Davis passed away, I really had a life-changing experience. My sister Michel got my great grandmother’s journal (Goldie Davis.) Michel called me over the phone and was reading me page after page. I had never seen these journals in my life. My grandma Davis had stored them safely at her home for all those years. I remember that day as Michel was reading stories about my grandpa Davis and him being born with curly blonde hair, I literally just sobbed on the phone. In that moment I had a burning testimony about journal writing. The story just came to life. I didn’t want Michel to stop reading. I wanted to hear every detail. The story of my grandpa Davis as a baby and somebody I just had an amazing connection with- it just changed me to read those journal entries. I made a promise to myself that day, that no matter how busy I was, I would try to take time and document my days so I wouldn’t forget. I also found out that My grandma Davis rarely wrote in her journal. The few journals that I do have of hers I cherish every page. She wrote things about me that melt my heart. I knew she loved me but, to read her words calling me “her girl” just is a testimony to me of how journal writing isn’t just for you, it can literally change generations.
Has your DAY ONE JOURNAL changed your experience?
Of course, I love hand written journals. But the day one journal in my opinion just really takes any efforts out of finding a journal and a pen and all the things. With Day One journal it’s just so easy to pick up anywhere and write about my day or things I’m grateful for or something funny that just happened. For the fact that you can also add pictures, it’s honestly priceless! It’s on your phone, it’s like having a journal in your pocket. You are already looking at your phone 1 million times a day. One of the times that you look at your phone make a journal entry. It’s that easy. (I should honestly be a spokes person for day one) I could sell this app all day long. Who am I kidding I’m gonna get my own app? I want to be the next poster child for Journal apps!
What is the greatest blessing in having kept your journal faithfully?
Right now, I feel like my journals are actually making me money. I’m right in the middle of a divorce and for the fact that I have such detailed information and photos and documentation. My attorney loves me.
Another major blessing, I feel like I have the worst memory. I can’t remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday. I love going back and looking at my journals. It brings me so much joy to watch my kids grow and remember all the tender mercies that have taken place in my life.
What is the biggest obstacle for you keeping your journal daily?
Waiting too late in the night to start writing. How do I overcome this? Get in a routine. The first thing I do as soon as I sit on my bed is try and document my day. Sometimes when something really awesome happens, I try to document it right in that moment so I don’t lose any of the emotion and feeling.
Don’t you love my sister in law? She radiates joy in her life…and on these pages! She inspired me to keep a DAY ONE JOURNAL too. How could I not after seeing them printed? That is a service they offer, to print your books. On my next post, I will share my experience of keeping a DAY ONE JOURNAL myself.
You can follow Amanda on Instagram HERE.