{"id":23366,"date":"2023-04-18T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-04-18T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dayoneapp.com\/?p=23366"},"modified":"2024-09-30T15:13:48","modified_gmt":"2024-09-30T20:13:48","slug":"streak-story-kyle-weirauch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dayoneapp.com\/blog\/streak-story-kyle-weirauch\/","title":{"rendered":"4,100 Days with Kyle Weirauch"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kyle Weirauch just crossed the impressive milestone of 4,100 consecutive days of journaling. Kyle works as an analyst in Missouri, and has been writing everyday for over 11 years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this interview, we asked Kyle about the importance of keeping a journal and for advice on how to build a meaningful journaling habit that lasts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How long have you been keeping a journal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I started using a journal after participating in an Alzheimer\u2019s Walk in honor of my grandfather in 2008. I know that I have a higher than normal risk of getting Alzheimer\u2019s and I thought it would be important to document my experiences in case I can\u2019t remember them as clearly in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What makes journaling important to you? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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I like \u201cbrain dumping\u201d the events of the day right before bedtime. I gives me the space to allow myself to forget about what has happened in the past. I\u2019ve recently gotten into meditation and it teaches the importance of non-attachment since everything will be gone someday. When I\u2019m feeling nostalgic, I can use the search function to remember an experience that brought me joy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you usually journal about?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My journal entries are generally just a list of the activities that I did during the day. I usually don\u2019t include a lot of emotions, just facts. It reads almost like a news story of my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When do you journal each day?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I journal right before I go to sleep on my phone app. I don\u2019t have any problems failing asleep after looking at my phone, so it works for me.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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“Journaling gives me the ability to forget minor details and focus more on the present. Since I have a record of my past events, I simply use the search function to remind myself what I did. This clears my memory and gives it more space for more significant ideas. I also like the idea of someone in the future from my family using the data to get a better understanding of my life.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

What tips or advice would you give others who want to build a journaling habit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s ok to miss a few days at a time. I just use the calendar function to see what days are missing. Sometimes if it\u2019s more than a few days, I might have to look at my bank account to recall where I went and what I did. Sometimes I ask my wife and she usually remembers. It\u2019s kind of a group effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What have you learned from keeping a journal?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I love using the \u201cOn this Day<\/a>\u201d feature and seeing all the different things I\u2019ve done over the years on a particular day. It usually sparks a fun conversation with my wife that begins with, \u201cremember when\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019ve learned that even when my life seems dull or too routine, I remember that I have done some fun things in the past and I hope to continue to more in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is your favorite thing about the Day One app? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I enjoy using the search function and remembering a specific memory. It has given me the ability to forget dates and other brain fillers so that I can live more in the present. If I start ruminating, I can use the app to help me quickly find a memory and move on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How has Day One helped you journal more consistently? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t use any of the Day One prompts to get me to continue. I\u2019ve just been doing it for so long that it\u2019s like brushing my teeth. If I go too long without writing, I can tell that my mind is holding onto too many facts and I need to get them documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What else you would like to share about your journaling streak?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I create a \u201cYear in Review\u201d entry that I post every December 31. It\u2019s a quick list organized by month of all the entries during the year that I\u2019ve marked as a favorite. It\u2019s a fun and quick way to review the highlights of the year and see everything that I thought was important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n