The Start Today community is made up of amazing people writing down their dreams and manifesting them into reality. For the #Next90Challenge, we’ll be sharing an inspiring story from everyday people in our community about how they use the Start Today Journal and how it’s changed their life! We hope reading these stories encourages YOU in your journey to reach your big goals. To learn more about the #Next90Challenge, click here!

Today we're featuring Callie, a dance teacher from Houston, Texas. She used the journal to fulfill her dream of running her first 5K! See what she has to say about using the journal below:

How long have you used the Start Today Journal? 

I decided to begin the Start Today Journal practice at the end of 2019 when I realized I needed to make some big life changes in 2020. I purchased my first Start Today Journal the day they came out in Target stores. I'm amazed at how much it has changed my life in such a short amount of time. 

Click to shop new Start Today Journals and Priority Planners now available at Target!

How has the Start Today Journal changed your life?

I'm the type of person who thinks they can tackle everything at once and give 100% effort to all of it. By focusing my efforts on just training for a 5K, I have seen first-hand how that focus and drive trickles down to the other dreams that I write down in my journal every day without me even trying! My life will not just magically turn out the way I want without the daily reminder of who I want to be and what I need to do to get there.

How is the Start Today Journal helping you during this pandemic?

The Start Today Journal has helped me be resilient during this time. Even when I feel like I have a day that isn't as productive as I had initially intended, the goals I've written in my journal remind me that I'm a constant work in progress. I'm not supposed to achieve all ten goals immediately and it's okay that some of my steps are small ones. 

This time may be unprecedented, but it isn't time wasted. I'm grateful to have the Start Today Journal to keep me on track so that one day, I can fully live out the life that I've envisioned on those pages. 

Have you crossed any goals off in your Start Today Journal?

On March 7th, 2020, I crossed off my very first goal: running a 5K!

Until January of this year, I never would have gone running outside. It's not that I mind running. I'll run all day as long as it's indoors on a treadmill. Why? Because when I was in elementary school, my dad (who hasn't been part of my life since I was 15) would train me for the school's annual mile race. The only reason he ever cared to help me train was that it was imperative that I win. I had to win so he would look like he was an involved father and I had to win to prove myself worthy because I was a girl. I was coached to push my way to the front of the starting line, to stay ahead of the pack, and to gun it in the last few seconds to cross the finish line first.

All things that gave me incredible anxiety that I didn't even know I had until recently. I trained for this race by running outside for the first time in 25 years, and I even finished under my goal time of 30 minutes! I proved to myself that my past will not continue to have a hold on my present or my future and that I can overcome childhood trauma.

What's something surprising you've found since using the Start Today Journal?

I've always been someone who is good at staying mentally focused, but when I don't have a chance to start my day with my Start Today practice, it really makes a difference! Due to my work schedule, I'm not able to wake up at the same time every day, so even if it's not the very first thing I do in the morning, I make sure that I complete my journal entry before noon. If I don't, it really affects how I tackle the rest of the day with my dreams at the forefront of my mind.

Who would you recommend the journal to?

Honestly, I'm currently thinking of the right way to suggest that my husband begin a daily journal practice. He isn't someone who is naturally goal-oriented and is pretty content going through life allowing others to make decisions for him. I want him to gain control of his life and realize that this isn't just "as good as it's going to get" and that something as simple as writing down your dreams every day and accomplishing goals set for your life is incredibly powerful!

Check out our new covers of the Start Today Journal and Priority Planner here. Thanks so much to Callie who generously shared her experience with us! Share yours with us by using #STJDreamCatcher in your photos on Instagram or submit your story to us to be featured on the blog!