Using The 3 Things Method for Journal Ideas
Writing about your life is as easy as 1, 2, 3...
Trying the 3 Things Method
Ever stare at a blank page and feel like your brain is just…empty?
This simple method gives you an instant list of things to draw and write about—without overthinking. In your journal, you can choose to express only the difficult, frustrating events from the past day, week, or month, if you want to, but why not break it up?
I love writing down the challenging parts of life, but reflecting on what I learned also helps.
The past month was full of ups and downs. I’m working on getting better at sharing more of my personal challenges with the world, but you don’t have to. Your cartoon journaling can be totally private—just for you.
Here’s what I put down for each category. It’s more writing in a cartoon font style, with a little bit of drawing a face or using bubble letters here and there.
3 Things You Liked (From last month)
You don’t need to ‘come up’ with anything. Just react to your own life.
These prompts do the heavy lifting, you just have to show up with a pen.
3 Things That Annoyed You
Have you ever noticed how compelling stories come from things that annoyed you?
Use that to your advantage—your Cartoon Journal deserves some drama.
Everything spiraled downward for me in mid-February. I got sick, then sick again, and ended up in the hospital. All the while, I was disappointed that none of my readers had signed up for my online Cartoon Journaling class scheduled for Feb. 19th.
It was a pretty sad time for me. Life can be that way, though, so having a place to write/draw about it helps. I’ve worked through it emotionally, but it makes me wonder if/when I should offer a class again.
3 Things You Learned
By listing three things in each category, you’re covering a range of emotions—good, bad, and surprising. That variety makes your journal more interesting and keeps your ideas flowing. Taking a look at it all makes life easier to process.
For example, perhaps the next time I want to teach an online drawing class, I can email a short survey to readers and find out what they want to learn the most. Maybe the cost felt too high? Either way, people aren’t interested in paying for my drawing instruction yet, or I need to attract more newsletter subscribers.
Writing out these concerns allows me to make them feel and look real, to fully ‘see’ them.
Imagine flipping through your journal a month from now, seeing your thoughts, feelings, and funny little doodles all in one place. It’s like a time capsule of YOU.
It’s your turn now. Open up your cartoon journal.
What are your 3 Things from last month?
I love this! Also, I learned a new medical term.
Thanks for your candid insight! As for the class - I think the price was just a little too high (for me anyway). And it's tough competing with the myriad of free online courses, for instance at SAW. It doesn't mean no one is interested to learn from you!