What Is a Fertility Journal?

People use journaling for several different reasons, to capture special events, when recovering from an illness, to assist with making a career change, and just to record thoughts and feelings. Fertility Journaling takes a little bit from each of the above and combines them into a very special journal. This type of journal can actually be started when you first start trying to conceive, or at any time during your quest to become pregnant.

A fertility journal, or FJ for short, is more than just your thoughts and emotions. It can also contain your fertility charts, a listing of the herbs, vitamins, and minerals that you take, your current diet and exercise routine, habits that you are changing, and really anything that you want to include in it. So, now that you know what you can put into your journal, how should you get it started?

I suggest going to your local stationary or business supply store and purchasing a nice binder. I prefer the kinds that you can personalize, that are at least an inch wide. Then you will want to buy some dividers, and/or folders that have pockets. This way you can keep your charts in one area, your writing in another area, and so on.

Now, find some paper to write on. It can be simple notebook paper that is lined, plain white or colored copy paper, or decorative paper. This is your journal, individuality rules when building it.

Now that you have paper to write on, and different sections to put different things in your journal, you need something to write with. If you are like me, you love pens. I have a huge collection of pens – different colors, glitter pens, swirled colored pens, fat pens, funky pens, you name it, I probably have it. For me, this makes writing fun, and very enjoyable.

You have the 'must haves', so now it is time to have some fun and really let your personality show. Look through the stickers, markers, stencils, and stamps. When you have had a really tough day, relying on these little things to decorate or doodle in your journal can bring a quick smile and help to relieve the stress and tension.

Take all of your newly purchased FJ supplies home, and find a nice quiet place where you feel comfortable and start putting your journal together. Where everything goes and what is or is not included is up to you. Once you are ready, you can start writing about anything that comes to mind.

To get you started, complete this thought with your own words, feelings, and goals:

If I woke up tomorrow and...

Join me next month for "Writing In Your New Journal".

Author: Debbi Secaur
Published on: June 10, 2003 at Suite101.com

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Always consult your health care professional if you have any health concerns.