Thousands of people are heaping praise on a £18 book they say is helping them ‘change their outlook on life for the better’. Wellness journalling and ‘mindfulness’ have become popular practices in recent years.
Gratitude journals like Amazon’s£18 UrBestSelf 6-Minute Diary are designed to help people discover what makes them happy and work towards building a more positive mindset. The £18 book is “recommended by psychologists and therapists” and has been shown to provide “positive effects” as per a peer-reviewed study.
The £18 UrBestSelf 6-Minute Diary needs to be filled in daily, taking you only three minutes in the morning and three again in the evening. The morning routine starts off with motivation and gratitude, setting your intentions for the day and writing down the goals for your needs.
The evening routine requires you to write down one small good feeling and to focus on the positive. The weekly self-discovery sections include five unique questions for self-reflection, and there is a monthly self-reflection segment to help you keep track of all areas of your life to make your well-being a “personal project”.
Amazon’s £18 UrBestSelf 6-Minute Diary also includes 80 pages of practical background knowledge that’s “easy to understand,” science-based, and includes real-life examples and anecdotes. Overall, the book is described as a “toolbox for your personal growth”.
In the book’s product listing, a statement reads: “Focus on progress and the good in you and around you. Targeted self-reflection helps you build positive habits such as gratitude, self-love and daily manifestation… This self care journal was made with experts and brings more mental strength and self-love into your life.”
Amazon’s£18 UrBestSelf 6-Minute Diary itself is crafted with the “finest” French linen, CO2-neutral printing and vegan materials. It comes in eight different colours, too. So far, the £18 UrBestSelf 6-Minute Diary is one of the best selling journals on Amazon.
More than 5,000 people have left reviews on Amazon, with the £18 book gaining an impressive customer rating of 4.6 stars out of five. Many find the gratitude journal helpful for building positive habits and a good tool for training their minds to start each day positively.
One person said: “Great way to be more aware of the good things in your life.” A second wrote: “I have been using the diary for 3 weeks and I have noticed tremendous improvement in my mood and the way I tackle my tasks. I feel much present and happier knowing I have so much to be grateful for!”
A third added: “I’ve only been using it for a week, but have noticed a difference already. Writing things down seems to make them stick in your head and setting goals early in the morning motivates as you want to be able to tick them off in the evening even if you don’t feel like doing them and this brings satisfaction.”
A fourth admitted: “This is amazing and had such a positive impact on me. My wife had been telling me for years to journal my day and write things down, I never listened and thought I could handle all that life had to throw at me, I was wrong. Taking time out in the morning and evening to write for a few minutes has been a revelation. My head seems much clearer and what I am wanting from life is reiterated daily via the positive affirmation.”
Another shared: “Would highly recommend to anyone looking to make a positive change in their life.” One more put: “I feel like it has really made a difference and the habits I am building are making my life better!!”
However, one person had an issue with the book’s layout. They said: “Really not a fan of the structure. Large portion of the diary is dedicated to talking about self improvement and is full of inspirational stories etc almost like a novel, this eats into paper which could have been used as actual diary space.”
Another had a problem with the thickness of the pages, adding: “The paper is thin and my pen leaks through.” A third said: “I have found it to be tedious, boring and hard work to complete.”
If you are considering trying out a gratitude journal, there are plenty of others on the market. Debenhams is selling this Myga Mindful Journal for £9.99. You can also get this Habitat Luxe A5 Wellness Journal from Argos for £6. This Ola Mindfulness Journal can be purchased from Oliver Bonas for £15.