Lovin’ Life 24/5/2018: Kmart’s Stationery. My Gratitude Journal.


Kmart is having a moment right now in the world of journals and planners.  My blogging buddy, Leanne at Deep Fried Fruit is a keen fan of Kmart’s work and reading her posts about her latest purchases inspired me to ‘have a look’ the other day.

No one reading here today will be surprised that I ended up leaving with a $4 journal with a marble effect cover, a pad of ‘To Do’ lists for $3.50 and a clipboard to hold the lists ($2.50).

A close of up of a sheet from the ‘To Do List’ pad.

In the weeks that have passed since making my purchases, I’ve put all three to good use.  The ‘To Do List’ system is working really well for tackling life admin at home. I add tasks as I remember them and spend a few minutes on the mornings of my non work days figuring out what I can tackle from the list that day.  The ‘tick off’ column at the end is the most satisfying section for me.  I still can’t resist running a line through completed tasks after ticking them off, though.

As for my journal, there’s a bit of a story to tell.  I’ve begun a Gratitude Journal on its pages.

Each day’s entry in my journal begins with ‘Today I am grateful for:’….  and I aim to write down three things or moments per day.

It’s not been as hard as I thought it would be.  Ironically, I’ve had more to be grateful for on the days I thought would never end.  Somehow the very things that made those days painful ended up on my list as situations or experiences that precipitated a positive change in some aspect of my life.

The need to write about the good things of each day has indirectly helped me become more mindful.  It’s hard to be frustrated, angry or cynical for too long if you’re hell bent on filling your daily quota of three items to be grateful for.

Settling down at the end of the day with a pen and my journal is something I look forward to as much as my evening mug of peppermint tea.  In this world of e-everything (or should that be i-everything) and clouds of data, having something positive to hold and write in helps give my gratitude a physical presence and a kind of certainty.

I’ve found myself including quotes and excerpts from inspirational posts I’ve seen on social media as well as the events of my own daily life.  There’s always been something inspiring or motivating to look back on when I flick through the pages I’ve already completed and literally highlighted this year.

Do you have a gratitude journal?

Are you a fan of the ‘To Do’ list?

Kmart.  Say no more.


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