Remember 2010 in a Keel's Simple Diary

In the spirit of new beginnings, fresh starts and clean slates, Tonic presents the Keel's Simple Diary. Surely among the countless doomed and impending resolutions live promises to diligently record and regularly reflect on one's life. Always a fantastic idea, until malaise and apathy set in somewhere around Jan. 6th. Or maybe we're too busy attending to the many things intended to make our lives easier. Ah! Therein lies our modern day conundrum: more simplicity, less time.

It's to that end, that world-renowned artist and author Phillipp Keel created the eponymous diary. "In a world where products are out as soon as they're in, where communicating without wires doesn't come without strings, and even our accessories need accessories, we need simple tools. A book that helps us look inside because we are overloaded outside," explains Keel in a company press release. Author of the widely popular and inventive All About Me series, Keel believes most people fail at keeping a diary for any extended period of time for three reasons: not every day is eventful; it requires a lot of discipline; in retrospect, many feel embarrassed about what they record. Short of not keeping one at all, the Keel's version addresses all three issues, makes the whole process manageable and actually fun. And, the unusual element of surprise certainly adds incentive.

While many consider a blank journal nothing more than a bound pile of insurmountable blank, the Simple Diary provides structure and variety through a different series of questions and exercises for each day — mostly multiple choice. So after filling in the designated date section, the first section will ask: "Your day was (only choose one) a. a good call. b. showtime. c. a cold shower." Bet you weren't expecting that. Food for thought, right? A thought you can expand on afterward in the "explain why" section. Two lines. You've taken the SATs. This is a cakewalk.

Other exercises ask you to select a hand-sketching you're most drawn to or answer questions and finish statements like "Listen to your feet, what are they saying?  "This is finally under control:" Or, "A secret passion you are dying to share with those who deserve it:" The best thing about these questions is that they encourage a bit of soul mining and exploratory thought without overwhelming. Keel promises on every page, "a taste of philosophy, a pinch of psychology and a twist of insight." Surely we could all benefit from a little more of that.

I can think of no better time than the dawning of 2010 to invest in one of these engagingly delightful diaries to record the upcoming 365 days. My only dilemma: which happy color to choose?

Top photo courtesy Keel's; bottom by Josephine Wachtl courtesy Keel's.