Patterns and Lessons from Five Years of Reflection

I’m currently in the fifth year of my first five-year diary. My enthusiasm for this practice is evident as I’ve already bought my next diary, which I consider a valuable investment of time.

Reviewing my diary reveals interesting observations. For instance, the accountant I once found irritating passed away around the same time the following year. Life is fleeting; it's essential to be kind.

I've noticed a consistent gratitude for the simple pleasure of clean sheets. Everyday experiences can become delightful when given the right attention and appreciation. While my family may not be perfect, they are incredibly precious, especially during difficult times. Family and friends hold immeasurable importance.

In year five, I realize I have more weight to shed than I thought I did in year one, but I find myself less stressed about it now than I was back then. Reflecting allows me to see choices and their outcomes without the burden of shame. It's okay to acknowledge that some challenges take time to overcome.

Regrets: What I Wish I'd Documented More

There’s immense value in the mundane details of life, even recalling what I made for dinner three years ago. However, I truly wish I had written more about my emotions, struggles, and the hurdles I faced, as well as how I overcame them.

Sometimes, I expressed my feelings as if they were just weather phenomena, influenced by my tendency to hold back. This hesitation often prevents me from recording my deeper emotions.

I sometimes counter this by describing my day in metaphorical terms—like ominous clouds or rays of sunlight breaking through the gloom. This approach helps me cope with my reservations.

This summary doesn’t have to be overly sentimental; it's perfectly acceptable to jot down whatever comes to mind (and feels safe) until you discover your preferred style.

Dude, I Don’t Have Time for This

Hold on! You do have time for this! “This” can be whatever you make of it.

It could be:

• A two-word event followed by a single-word feeling descriptor, e.g., Business Meeting — frustrating; Lunch with [sibling] — encouraging.
• A series of brief bullet points outlining your activities, locations, and people you interacted with.
• Progress or setbacks related to ongoing issues.

What you're really saying is that the idea of summarizing feels overwhelming because it isn’t yet a habit. Once you view it as a helpful tool rather than an added burden, it will flow effortlessly.

Creating a Habit of Summary

I can offer suggestions, but you are the expert in forming a new habit. Use these ideas as guidance, or disregard them entirely in favor of your own brilliant approach.

Here’s my routine:

My five-year diary, a Leuchtturm1917 Memory Book, rests in the bottom drawer of my bathroom. Each night, I write a few lines while seated on the toilet. It’s a bit unconventional, but it works for me. If that sounds unappealing, feel free to adapt it to your own preferences.

My digital life summary nearly composes itself during my workday. I maintain a plain text weekly log (specifically in Markdown), with a summary section at the top of each page. Noteworthy moments get recorded there.

If you use Logseq, you can tag each entry with the #name of your summary page. Clicking that name will generate an automatic list of all entries.

For a more detailed guide on crafting and compiling a life summary in Obsidian, check out this article. You can find the five-year diary template I created for Obsidian in my Plain Text Planner GitHub repository.

3 Strategies to Create a Life Summary in Obsidian

Whether you prefer pen and paper or a digital format, start today to document your life.

• Begin by noting just one item.
• Don’t worry about lengthy descriptions; feel free to elaborate if you wish. Just get started!

An entry could look like this:

"Today, I gazed out the window, pondering why the words for article X were eluding me, when Chilli, the neighbor’s dog, decided to relieve herself on my freshly mowed lawn. What a cheeky creature! How dare she bark at me after such a brazen act?"

…is just as valid as a more straightforward entry:

"Neighbor's dog pooped on our lawn. Matthew 18:21–22 might apply."

Keep in mind: if it isn’t documented, it risks being forgotten. Revisiting the small, everyday aspects of life will reveal patterns that can enhance your self-understanding. Gaining clarity about the past will help you navigate your future with greater confidence.

And if you choose a digital method, don’t forget to leave a tangible legacy by periodically printing a physical copy of your life summary.