Free Printable + 5 Ways to Journal on the Fly

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In a past life I was a scrapbooker.

I photographed and journaled about every little event in my children’s lives.

Gradually over time, I stopped scrapbooking, taking so many photographs and my journaling became sporadic. It’s not something I beat myself up about. I am a mum with three kids, life is busy and my focus is more on living life than recording every minute detail.

In some ways, the transition away from being a scrapbooker was a relief. I love my beautiful albums but sometimes I would find myself focusing on what photographs I needed for a layout rather than enjoying the actual experience.

Now when I take photographs it’s because I want to capture a moment. And when I say moment, I mean a moment. No styling the birthday cake for a perfect shot, or taking different angles and closeups (yes…I was obsessed). I take a picture of my son and his cake and then I put the camera down and sing Happy Birthday. It’s great.

But having said that…I do want to journal more about my kids. Journaling was always a big part of my scrapbooking and I can honestly say that my kids LOVED the stories more than they ever loved my super pretty layout.

When I created my Chatty Bird illustration I was inspired by one of my children. He is always saying funny memorable things which I usually frantically scribble down on a scrap piece of paper or on a page in my drawing journal (and hope I don’t lose them). Because as you know, those memorable quotes come when you least expect it. Cooking dinner, bath time, on the drive to school. And while you might think you will remember them, you don’t.

I’ve been brainstorming a few ideas to help with journaling and thought you might find them helpful too.

5 WAYS TO JOURNAL ON THE FLY

·         Use your phone to record the actual conversation with your child or you record the general gist of it.

·         Use your phone note taking app to record the quote

·         Keep a small journal (with a dedicated pen attached to it) in your bag for impromptu note taking

·         If you have a whiteboard/chalkboard in your kitchen record the quote and then later transcribe into your journal

·         Use printable quote sheets on a clipboard hung in your kitchen (or somewhere handy) The below printable is available in the vault of freebies. If you don’t have access enter your details below.