I Kept a “Rolling” Journal for 9 Years

Back in 2014, I saw an idea for creating a rolling journal over multiple years using index cards (one for each day of the year). I decided to try it. I just filled my journal.

How it works

There is one card for each day of the year with the date (just month and date) at the top. The first year, on line one of the correct date, write the year then a short phrase about the day. Move the card to the back of the box (or ring or however you organize it). On the following days, again write the year and one line.

The second year, when you get back to the first card, move to line two, write the year, your phrase, etc.

I chose to cut my index cards in half (primarily because I was trying to limit what I brought in my suitcase to Mexico and even a few ounces and square inches counted), but leaving the cards whole would give more room for a longer phrases or a full sentence. Days of the week are not noted.

How it went

I started out doing it pretty regularly. The last few years I have been much less disciplined about the practice (sometimes catching up on the week, or a few weeks at a time) so I decided to wrap it up. However, it was fun to look back on the last decade!

Observations:

• A rolling journal is a good way to remember anniversaries and birthdays. I would often note if I went to a wedding or birthday party.
• It surprised me how many times I used someone’s first name or initials years ago and reading it now, wasn’t sure who I was talking about right away. In some cases, this is because since that day, I now have other friends with the same name so I hadn’t realized I would need to distinguish. Sometimes it is because the person I met ended up being a passing acquaintance rather than a deep relationship. On the other hand, there were days I noted when I met someone for the first time who became a very special friend and I was able to trace it to a specific date!
• It was fun when I would write down a quote as my entry for the day. It would immediately bring to mind the whole conversation and setting. I wish I had done that more often. These made me smile. “Ya sabes todos mis pasos.”, “Sorry, Miss. You can’t catch.” “What’s a rough draft?”
• It was interesting to see unplanned parallels between the same day on different years. For example, on August 15th on two different years, a dear family from church spontaneously took time for me when I was struggling. On March 28th, I had two very unusual firsts on back-to-back years (my first time in a bar and my first time at a nude beach). Both of these were accidental and I would be happy to share the hilarious stories if you ask! =D
• I accidentally headed one of the cards November 27th when I meant December 27th and I didn’t catch it (or at least didn’t correct it) all nine years! Woops!
• The summer months were fun to read. They made me very thankful for all the fun and meaningful travel experiences I’ve been able to have (short visits to Mexico, India, New England, out West, and around the beautiful state of Virginia). There were also many days of simply “resting”, “sewing”, or “art and relaxing” as I enjoyed my home.
• It was fun to see many “firsts”:
  • Calling a taxi- Sept, 22, 2014
  • The first time I found Clorox wipes in the store after lockdowns began- Sept 30, 2020!
  • Buying my own car- Nov. 11, 2016
  • Teaching in Blast Zone- Dec 11, 2023.
• During this nine year period, there were two particularly difficult years. I could see them running through like dark lines with phrases like “got to get myself together”, “struggling,” or even just putting a dash and skipping the day. Yet, there was something comforting about seeing nine years of one day instead of one year out of nine (if that makes sense). Those dark times were threaded through beautiful years, happy memories and special days, giving a different perspective. It reminds me of lyrics from Fiddler on the Roof

Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears

Or perhaps the less quickly recognized, but rich, ancient words of Moses in Psalm 90

From everlasting to everlasting you are God...
For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past,
or as a watch in the night...
The years of our life are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty;
yet their span is but toil and trouble,
they are soon gone, and we fly away...
So teach us to number our days
That we may get a heart of wisdom...
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, 
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil
Let your work be shown to your servants
and your glorious power to your children.