Have you ever looked at the One Line Per Day Bullet Journal Spreads and wondered why (or how) to use this journaling page? I’ll show you how to create a One Line Per Day spread, how to create the habit of using it. I’ll also give you some ideas if you’re not sure what to write.
For me, the One Line Per Day is a stepping-stone habit. Meaning I start with something small to get to a bigger habit. In this case, writing in a journal every day.
When you want to create a habit of daily journaling, it’s hard to develop the practice. I usually end up with a bookshelf full of books with one page filled. Even Monica from Friends made fun of Rachel quoting from Rachel’s journal, saying she was going to write in her diary every day, but every page was blank after the first entry. If you’re with me (and Rachel), starting with a ‘One Line Per Day’ method might help change the empty notebook syndrome.
How to Create a One Line Per Day Page
I’m a sucker for fancy headers. If a page has a fancy header, I’m more likely to use it. In this case, I lettered the title using a brush marker. Simple yet fancy.
Check out this post if you want more ideas to creating fancy headers (and no, they don’t all require brush markers. BUT if you are interested in learning how to do modern calligraphy, check out my books.)
My goal is to use one line per day and stick to only one line. That’s a challenge in and of itself (at least for me). So I used 1-31 stickers, so I didn’t have to number the page (because I cannot number in a straight line no matter how hard I try!). If you have the talent to write numbers in a straight line, number away. Or you can use a ruler to the side so your column doesn’t drift back and forth as mine would.
You could leave the page like this or, for an added detail, highlight every other line with a highlighter, Mildliner, or even a Crayola marker. I recommend using a ruler to highlight.
Once you’ve created the page, now it’s time to make sure that you write in it every day. Don’t stress yourself out. Write a word, a mood, or a short quote for the day.
Supplies I Used to Creat My One Line Per Day Insert
- Tumbitri Meri A5 Dot-Grid Journal | Blog Post Review | YouTube Review Video
- Pentel Sign Brush Pens
- Archer & Olive Paper Pads
- Crayola Super Tip Markers
- Scotch Washi Tape (for taping the page to the book – you can also use clear tape)
What If You Use a Pre-Printed Planner or Have no Room for Another Page?
If your planner is pre-printed, insert a page, or attach it to your regular planner with a paperclip. Don’t anticipate picking up a journal every night before going to bed. I guarantee you’ll start skipping days.
I love the idea of removable pages. Because if you successfully create this habit and do it for a straight year, what a great memento for the year! Oh, now I want to do it just for that reason.
What If You Forget to Fill Out Your One Line Per Day?
Here is my completed one line per day. Do you want to know a secret? I missed a day more than 30% of the time. But I went back and completed the lines. In a year or two, when I’m rereading this, honestly, I won’t care that it wasn’t done every day at 9 pm.
So, if you forget to fill it out, think about a time in the day when you pull out your planner. Then at the time when you open your notebook, quickly write your one line for the day.
If you use your planner for work, once you arrive at your desk and start flipping through the pages, take a moment to write down your one line per day.
If you find yourself looking at a few blank lines on your One Line Per Day, fill it out! I find that if I work backward (start with yesterday, then move to the day before). I can remember more details than if I were to begin with “what happened two weeks ago?” You can always look back at your calendar to jog your memory as well.
Other Ways To Use Your One Line Per Day Journal Page
Who says one line has to sum up the day? It could be a motivating thought for the day or a goal to accomplish. You could fill it out for the previous day in a moment of reflection. Whatever you do, you’re trying to create a habit of everyday use, so make it easy to fill out your one line every day.
Ideas to Record
- Short Journal about the Day
- One word describing your mood or day
- Motivational words for the coming day
- A goal you want to accomplish
- Inspiring Quote
- Statistics from a day (it’s still writing, isn’t it?)
- Names to Pray For
- Something you Observed
- A shortlist of things you did
- Reminders
- Good things about yourself (this is hard to do sometimes, but Is very beneficial when trying to combat any negative self-talk)
- Something your children did (funny, sweet, etc.)
- Favorite item of the day
- Shows you watched
- Books you read & how many pages
- What you did to work towards a goal
- How many times you (add something you’re tracking)
- Things you love in your life
- Things you want to try
- Podcasts you listened to
- Today I learned
- Happy moment of the day
- Dinner Conversations
- Guilt-Free Moment
- What I did for self-care
- Accomplishments
- What to do Better
You could use one idea or any combination of these ideas. What other ideas would you like to record daily?
One Line Per Day – A Great Starting Point
If you’d like to start journaling, but it feels overwhelming, try starting with one line per day. Make sure to designate a time (for example, before you turn out the lights before bed or as you’re having a cup of coffee in the morning to write your one line. Then strive to do it every day. If you miss a day, complete it the following day. No big deal.
Check out this post for two things I do every night before I go to bed that just might help you create the habit of writing in a one-line per day journal. These small things changed my life. (It seems dramatic, but it’s not – it’s true!)