Hi friend, Elizabeth here from @thejoyfulsojourn on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! Today I'm setting up a few pages dedicated to a 30 day step challenge! It includes a place for tracking my steps, a journaling page for noting why I'm taking on the challenge, and a space for logging how I feel at the start and finish of the challenge. Let’s get into it!

Supplies - use discount code "JOYFUL10" to save 10%  at Archer and Olive!

• Any sized journal – today I’m using an A5 journal.
• Decorative elements from the Summer 2025 Quarterly Sub Box, or any Pens, stickers, Stamps and kit club remnants you have in your collection.
• Tools – the stencil is a stand out for today’s project!

The Tracker

Before we can get to the pretty part, we have to set up the infrastructure of the tracking page. I am setting up a 30-day step challenge because I need to increase my step count after fracturing my tibial plateau, but this layout can be used for ANY challenge you want to take on and log for 30 days!

I used the B5 stencil to make my boxes, starting from the bottom and bringing them up to the top. Doing this ensures that you have ample margin for your header. Shortcut: if you have a lot of box stickers, lay 30 down instead of drawing your own boxes!

The summer subscription box blew me away because of the functional stamp set included! So we’re breaking out the stamps to add a number to each box. Pro tip: there is not a zero in the stamp set because “O” is the same shape. Grab your “O” alpha and use it whenever you need a zero.

For your header, use the alpha stamps to spell out whatever challenge you’re taking on. The acrylic block in the sub box is long and includes grid marks so you can keep your letters straight if you want to. I opted for a clean “step” and wonky “challenge”.

Make sure you also leave space on the side for a place to log your start date and end date. What’s great about a flat 30-day challenge, is that it can start on any day of the month. You don’t have to wait until the 1^st of the month (which also means NO EXCUSES- just start)!

I then used duographs from the sub box to define the boxes a bit more. I didn't realize I chose Mardi Gras colors, but hey – I’m sure all you Louisianans appreciate! I also added black lines and dashes to make them more doodley.

Following the vibe of the June box, I added little dashes to connect each day and to show me the path from 1 to 30. This is definitely a nod to the bumblebee theme from June. And because this challenge is going to be full of boxes with numbers, I wanted to add some extra flourishes. I used the flowers from the June sub box again.

Logging Your “Why”

Almost more important than the step challenge tracker itself is knowing why you're taking on a fitness challenge. And for me, I have to know my why because I'm inevitably going to make it partway through the month and start questioning my decisions due to fatigue and my time being crunched. Going back to why I wanted to do it to begin with is going to be important when I start to lose motivation. Have a “why” page already written up so you can reflect back on past-self who had the clarity of mind to make the decision to  begin the challenge.

I used washi, stickers, and stamp again, to format this page. For the header, I stamped out “my why” on an Archer and Olive notepad page, ripped it out for that raw edge look, and then rubbed a dark pen color along the edge to make the raw edge pop more.

Journaling the Start & Finish Lines

Going hand-in-hand with journaling out your motivation, is logging how you feel at the start of the challenge, and how you feel at the end. For this side of the spread, I buffed ink onto the page with a buffing brush, using washi tape to act as a barricade between sections. I then used the alphas to label my ‘before’ journaling section, and ‘after’ journaling section. To make the left and right page more cohesive, I framed the page with the same lavender washi.

I created a 30-day step challenge printable if you’d like to take on a step challenge! The boxes are empty so you can work with your healthcare provider to determine what your starting step count should be and what you should be ramping up to.

I hope this was encouraging to you to start a challenge soon – whether it be fitness, cleaning, journaling, or reading, these pages are fun to make and help you log the journey!  If you decide to take on a 30 day challenge in you’re A&O notebook, be sure to tag me and Archer & Olive with your project using: @archerandolive @thejoyfulsojourn @archerandolive.community #AOShare #archerandolive

If you’d like to see how this came together in video format, my video plan with me is up on the Archer & Olive Channel now!