Overview
Most people fail at journaling because they make it too big. Pages of writing. Deep reflection. No wonder it doesn't stick.
The One-Line Journal is different. One sentence. That's it. Every day for 30 days. You'd be amazed what this simple practice reveals.
The Practice
Each evening, before bed, write exactly one sentence about your day. Not a paragraph. Not bullet points. One complete sentence.
Daily Prompts (Rotate Weekly)
Monday: What brought me joy today?
Tuesday: What challenged me today?
Wednesday: What am I grateful for today?
Thursday: What did I learn today?
Friday: What surprised me today?
Saturday: What made me proud today?
Sunday: What do I want to remember from today?
Why One Line?
- Sustainable: Takes 30 seconds. No pressure. No excuses.
- Clarifying: Forces you to distill the day to its essence.
- Revealing: Patterns emerge you never noticed.
- Precious: A year of one-liners becomes a beautiful record.
What Happens After 30 Days
Most participants continue far beyond the initial 30 days. They discover the practice is less about the writing and more about the daily pause to reflect. The moment of consideration before sleep. The closing of each day with intention.
"I've kept a one-line journal for 18 months now. Reading back through it is like watching my life in time-lapse. I can see patterns I was blind to in the moment. Growth I didn't know was happening. It's the simplest habit I have and the most valuable." — David, 42
Getting Started
All you need:
- A notebook (any notebook)
- A pen you enjoy writing with
- 30 seconds before bed
- Commitment to showing up, even on hard days