I began journaling in 2019. It’s not that I like keeping a journal, precisely. It’s extra that I discover my mind works higher if I spend somewhat time dumping its contents onto paper each morning. This follow bought me via 2020, a particularly tough 12 months, and I’ve stored it up ever since.
My journal is not superior. I’ve bought just a few sections advisable by my therapist from round the time I began—there is a part I fill in day by day with issues I’m wanting ahead to, for instance. I exploit one other part to assume via what I’m going to eat and different issues I’m going to try this day. All of that is easy; I simply use a template that features headers for these issues.
But there is a bit of data I like to collect and embody. Each day’s climate, for instance. I’ve observed that I’m typically in a nasty temper on wet, grey days, so recording the climate together with my ideas provides me some useful context when I’m reviewing entries later. I additionally like to know what time I wrote my entry, the place I used to be once I wrote it, and—if attainable—embody a quote of the day or one thing else to replicate on.
I may collect all of the above info myself manually, each morning. But I’ve discovered it is loads sooner to use Apple Shortcuts for the job. This utility, which comes preinstalled on each Mac, iPhone, and iPad, can mechanically pull in every kind of data and format it properly for my journal. I run a customized automation each morning. Here’s how I constructed it.
The Date, Weather, and Location
Apple through Justin Pot
Fire up Apple Shortcuts in your gadget of selection and make a brand new shortcut. This software program could be a little complicated, however don’t fret, I’m going to discuss you thru every thing. In the proper column you will notice quite a few completely different tiny automations you’ll be able to run. Drag as many of those as you need to the predominant column, which is on the left. I like to seek for what I’m on the lookout for, however when you choose, you’ll be able to manually discover the choices to get a way of what Shortcuts can do.
