My whole life I've cringed at the idea of one-size-fits-all.
Or one-size-fits-most.
Those usually mean that item will fit some people perfectly. And everyone else will have to settle with making do, looking ridiculous, and/or feeling uncomfortable.
Like when I went to college and all the events and promos around campus offered free t-shirts. I always passed by because I knew that though they'd technically fit on my body, a man's XL t-shirt isn't going to work well on my 4'11" frame.
It's not just clothes that are like this.
It's exercise plans, nutrition programs, productivity modules, and so many other things.
“Experts” will put forth a program that they've tried. That works for them. And maybe a few people they've worked with. And they'll extrapolate that it'll work for everyone.
But what happens what that program doesn't work for you?
Do you assume there's a problem with how the program is put together?
Or do you assume that the problem is YOU? That there's something wrong with how you're put together than makes that thing not work for you and you're left wearing the program equivalent of an ill-fitting t-shirt?
But what if you took the ideas in the program and made them your own?
Found inspiration around you, borrowed what you like, and discarded the parts that don't work for you?
If you've been in my community even a little while, you know that I don't preach a particular journaling system.
There are so many wonderful ways to journal, and they each bring their own benefits.
We talked about this a bit last week.
Your challenge is to figure out what you like and what works for you.
Try out the journaling ideas you've seen and read about.
(Click here to access my back issues of this newsletter.)
Use the journal prompts you've saved over the last however many months you've been following along.
(This is the rainy day you've been saving them for!)
Go to the bookstore and leaf through those lovely guided journals to see if any of them catch your eye.
(I do this all the time and though I usually come home empty handed, I usually come away with a new idea to try.)
Talk to other journalers about how they like to journal and what works for them. (Borrow what you like. Discard the rest.)
Or, if you want some help, book a call with me and we can talk about what creating your custom plan can look like.
Remember that there's no wrong way to do this.
You don't have to commit to one style of journaling for the rest of forever or even more than a day.
Pick a way to journal and if it doesn't feel quite like you, try something else tomorrow. Eventually you'll hit on what works for you.
I believe in you!
You'll become a journaler in no time!
Weekly Journal Prompts:
Use these prompts as written or as inspiration to uncover what you need in your life this week.
What is working well in your life right now?
Was this thing easy from the beginning? Or did you have to work to get there?
How can you use this thing that's working well to improve other areas of your life?
Where can you innovate to make things better?
Where can a small tweak make great improvements in your life?
One Journaling Idea I Love:
All the Favorites
Use your journal to capture your favorites:
Your favorite color
Favorite food
Favorite vacation destination
Favorite thing to do when you have an hour of free time
Favorite book
Favorite movie
Favorite memory
Favorite compliment you've received
Favorite compliment you've given
Favorite music
Favorite daydreaming topic
Favorite people
Favorite work tasks
And so on!
Where You Can Find Me:
I recently appeared on the Real Life Startup podcast with Karen LaMarsh. Listen here.
I share journal related content on LinkedIn every day by 8 am Eastern. Visit me there for stories, journaling ideas, and more!
I have a website! Visit me at GoodThingsComeToThoseWhoJournal.com
I’m always reachable by email.
My teenagers are doing their best to avoid me on TikTok…
Happy Journaling!
Your 'one size fits all' comments really resonate with me! Except that I'm the girl who only DOES fit in men's t-shirts because I'm over 6ft tall with the shoulders of a football player! :D :D :D
I love what you've said here:
"But what if you took the ideas in the program and made them your own?
"Found inspiration around you, borrowed what you like, and discarded the parts that don't work for you?"
We're all different, and of course one size doesn't fit all - as you say, fitness programmes, journalling techniques, and all sorts of things. That's what makes it really scary when I realise that I'm trying to change MYSELF rather than the things!
Your post has really helped me to understand that I need to have the courage of my convictions and make stuff fit ME, and not the other way round.
THANK YOU, Amanda!