I really wanted a daily tracker in my journal. But I wanted it to be unique. I knew this layout needed a few key essentials too – the layout must be full of bright colors, it must include a fun process as the repetitious action of going to the same page every single day could become daunting, and the layout must include the entire year.
Since the beginning of the New Year I’ve been documenting my moods on a piece of paper while trying to figure out a unique way of sharing it in my journal. Now that I figured out how I want my layout to look, let me share some details on the markers.
First, I paid for these markers with my own money (I’m not being paid for this review). They are advertised as children’s markers but they closely resemble bingo markers. I’m using these markers on a 160gsm (thick heavy paper) dot grid journal and they don’t bleed through to the other side, however it has the potential to bleed through if it’s dabbed for prolong periods of time. I also believe it will bleed through quickly on journals with lighter weighted paper because these markers are juicy and the paper will just absorb it. The colors of the markers are beautiful and vibrant but at the same time I don’t care for some of the shades of color, the pink is a neon highlighter pink and it’s hard to tell the difference the blue and dark blue shades.
Anyway, check out my mood tracker layout.
Supplies
Step One
First, I chose eight moods (grouped into categories) that I typically relate to the most often and assigned each one a marker color. Then, I started marking my journal with the appropriate color for that particular day.
I considered documenting my moods and dividing each month into sections but opted to make the process totally random. I’m also considering adding a date to each circle to make it easier to categorize (if need be) but I’m not entirely sold on doing that. Also, (just an idea) consider adding designs (stripes, dots, wavy lines, etc.) to each dot. Those doodles or codes can serve as additional trackers within the main tracker (hydration, vitamins, periods, etc.).
Step Two
Then with a black drawing pen I added circles to each dot just to give the dot more definition.
Step Three
Last, I attached the key to my journal with some washi tape.
