One line a day journal

How a one line a day journal works

The rule is simple: write one line, every day. Not a page. Not a paragraph. One sentence about what happened, how you felt, or something you want to remember.

Because it is so small, you can do it on your worst and busiest days. After a few months you have a record of your life that you would never get from a journal you keep giving up on.

1. Pick a momentRight before sleep is the most common. Lunch break works too.
2. Write one sentenceType it in the page at the top. The date is added for you.
3. Tap New page tomorrowEach day gets its own dated page.
4. Read backTap My pages once a month and scroll through your lines.

What is a 5 year journal?

Many paper one line a day journals are 5 year journals. Each page is a date, like March 12, with five small boxes on it. You write in the first box this year, the second box next year, and so on. Each time you write, you see what you wrote on the same date in earlier years.

That side by side view is the magic. You notice how much changed, and what did not. Some 5 year journals with prompts add a question on each date, so every year you answer the same question again.

You can do the same thing here in a simple way. Your lines are kept in My pages, newest first, with dates. When a year has passed, scroll back to the same date and read what you wrote. It is not a printed grid, but it is free and always with you.

One line a day journal prompts

Stuck? Tap Write on any prompt. Keep your answer to one sentence.

About today

1. What is the one thing you will remember about today?Write
2. What made you smile today?Write
3. What was the best thing you ate today?Write
4. Who did you spend the most time with today?Write
5. What was the weather like, and how did it make you feel?Write
6. What surprised you today?Write
7. What did you do today that you have never done before?Write
8. What was the hardest part of today?Write
9. What sound, smell or sight stood out today?Write
10. Describe today in three words.Write

About you

1. How are you feeling right now, in one word and one reason?Write
2. What are you worried about tonight?Write
3. What are you proud of today?Write
4. What do you need more of this week?Write
5. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?Write
6. What did you learn about yourself today?Write
7. What song fits your mood today?Write
8. What would you tell your morning self?Write
9. What are you reading, watching or listening to?Write
10. What do you want to stop doing?Write

More one line a day prompts for a 5 year journal

These questions are great to answer again every year. Use one per week, and next year answer the same one on the same date.

1. Who is your closest friend right now?Write
2. What is your biggest goal this year?Write
3. Where do you want to be in one year?Write
4. What is your favorite thing about where you live?Write
5. What is something you are saving up for?Write
6. What is the best gift you received lately?Write
7. What scares you right now?Write
8. What is your favorite way to spend a free evening?Write
9. What habit are you trying to build?Write
10. What is a word you are using a lot lately?Write
11. What makes you feel at home?Write
12. Who did you think about today?Write
13. What would make this year a good one?Write
14. What is the last thing that made you laugh out loud?Write
15. What are you grateful for this week?Write

Line a day journal ideas

One line can be many things. Mix these line a day journal ideas to keep it fresh.

1. Write a quote you heard today, from anyone.Write
2. Write one thing you are grateful for, as specific as possible.Write
3. Write your mood as a weather report.Write
4. Write the funniest thing your child, pet or friend did today.Write
5. Write one small win, even if it is just getting out of bed.Write
6. Write the first thing you noticed when you went outside.Write
7. Write one thing you want to tell someone but have not.Write
8. Write a prayer for tomorrow in one line.Write
9. Write the most important thing you did at work or school.Write
10. Write one thing you did just for you.Write
11. Write a headline for today, like a newspaper.Write
12. Write what you would change about today if you could.Write
13. Write the name of someone who helped you today.Write
14. Write a small luxury you enjoyed today.Write
15. Write a question you are thinking about.Write
16. Write what the sky looked like at sunset.Write
17. Write one thing your body did well today.Write
18. Write a promise to yourself for tomorrow.Write
19. Write the best minute of today.Write
20. Write the one thing you want your future self to know about today.Write
21. Write what made today different from yesterday.Write
22. Write a new word or fact you learned today.Write
23. Write how you got through a hard moment today.Write
24. Write the thing you are most looking forward to this month.Write
25. Write the last kind thing someone said to you.Write

One line a day journal example

Here is what one week can look like. Each line took under a minute.

A week of single lines already tells a story. A year tells a bigger one. Want longer entries some days? See our daily diary and daily journal pages.

A one line a day online journal: how ours works

• Free, no sign up. No email, no account.
• Saved on this device. Your lines stay in this browser. We never see them.
• All lines in one list. Tap My pages to scroll through your dates, or tap Delete to remove a line.
• PIN lock. Keeps the journal closed on a shared device. It is not encryption.
• Print or Save as PDF. Keep a copy of a month or a year.
• No syncing. Each device keeps its own lines. Use the same device each night.

Add the site to your phone's home screen, where it gets its own icon, so your line is one tap away. Prefer paper? Print our printable journal pages.

Tips for keeping it going

1. Set a nightly reminder on your phone for the same time.
2. Never skip because it was a boring day. Boring days are part of the record.
3. Be specific. "Tacos with Dad at the blue table" beats "Nice dinner."
4. Missed a day? Skip it. Do not try to remember and backfill a week.
5. Read last month on the first of each month. It is the best reward.

For more quick ideas, see easy journal ideas.

Questions people ask