The Day One Podcast Returns
Despite being an active daily user of Day One, I was unaware they had a podcast. It’s been on hiatus since 2021, and that’s likely part of why I hadn’t heard about it.
The show has recently launched a new season with a new episode featuring Paul Mayne, the creator of Day One. It’s worth listening to if you’re curious about some of their choices with the app, the additional resources they’ve gotten since joining Automattic, where AI fits into the roadmap, and other details on what motivates the developers to keep going.
Basic AF #47: The Journaling Guide with Joe Moyer
I was pleased to return to the Basic AF Show and discuss journaling. This is my second guest spot with my friends Tom and Jeff (the first one here), and once again, they made me feel welcomed and valued. From the episode page:
_ Ever wondered if journaling could make a difference in your life? This week’s guest, Joe Moyer, believes it can. Joe shares his personal journey with journaling and practical advice on how to build a habit—even if you only have five minutes a day. We cover gratitude journaling, the benefits of recording daily thoughts, and how to avoid the “perfect journal” trap. He also provides tips for those who are new to journaling, with simple techniques to get started._
This was a fun conversation, and I hope you’ll listen. I think everyone, particularly young men, needs to hear some of what was said on the show and pay particular attention to the productive struggle, where we talk about being kind to ourselves, working through complicated feelings and emotions, and growing.
The Ugmonk Pen
I’ve never been a fancy pen guy. I always used a Pilot G2 or a Uni-ball 207 for my writing, but lately, I’ve found them to be a little lacking.
I wanted a pen that felt more significant but had a similar gel ink output, so I began casually looking. When I got an email last month from Jeff Sheldon announcing The Ugmonk Pen, made in collaboration with Leuchtturm1917, it was an easy buy for me.
I also picked up the walnut pen tray, which is a thing of functional beauty and is where my Apple Pencil often lives as well.
The pen and tray combo arrived just in time for some heavy use, not for writing or journaling but for a bunch of lengthy insurance-related documents that, due to poor design, needed to be printed out and handwritten. It took hours to do it all, and it was made more pleasurable and easier with the Ugmonk Pen. I’ve since used it for some print journaling and to-do list building, and it’s really delightful to write with.
I believe that the message matters most, and the tools we use, particularly in journaling, should serve that cause. This pen does that for me, and I’m pleased to have finally spent a little bit more money for something of much greater and lasting quality.
This reflection originally appeared in The Journaling Guide. Delivered every two weeks and packed with real-life stories of history's greatest journalers, reflections from my own experiences studying how journaling helps improve our lives, and actionable insights for you, it's like having a close friend guide you on your journaling practice.
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600 Days of Gratitude Journaling
Yesterday, Day One let me know that I had written my 600th consecutive entry in my daily gratitude journal. I'm proud of this achievement and hope it inspires some of you to start your journaling practice.
Like many apps, Day One likes to celebrate streaks to stay motivated and keep going on a goal. Streaks have a place in helping us build the version of ourselves we most want to be, although I have mixed feelings about them.
I'm sending more thoughts on the pros and cons of streaks to newsletter subscribers next week. You can subscribe below, and I'll send you my quick guide Seven Thought-Provoking Prompts for Your Journaling Practice, when you confirm your email.
If you haven't checked in on the newsletter lately, you’ll note that I’m refocusing it on journaling and working towards sending something to subscribers every two weeks. I'll have more on that soon.
The Journaling Guide on Threads
I’ve been on Threads since it launched. My focus has been on sharing prompts, tools, and tips to help people with something I’m really passionate about, starting and growing a journaling practice. I know some of you like to journal. If that’s you, please give me a follow and say hi!
Don’t worry, I’m not abandoning this site to spend all of my time on social. Threads is (thus far) a positive community that I enjoy. It’s also a place where I can workshop new ideas and connect with readers of this site and other creators.