diff --git a/server.js b/server.js
index 9420822..4357ba4 100644
--- a/server.js
+++ b/server.js
@@ -244,7 +244,7 @@ function normalizeJournalReminder(reminder = {}) {
     ? Math.max(0, parsedBeforeValue)
     : Number.isFinite(parsedDaysBefore)
       ? Math.max(0, parsedDaysBefore)
-      : 42;
+      : 6;
   const daysBefore = unit === 'weeks' ? beforeValue * 7 : unit === 'months' ? beforeValue * 30 : beforeValue;
   return {
     enabled: !!reminder.enabled,
diff --git a/src/components/JournalPage.js b/src/components/JournalPage.js
index 4d4422f..3a957be 100644
--- a/src/components/JournalPage.js
+++ b/src/components/JournalPage.js
@@ -52,8 +52,8 @@ const JournalPage = ({ authorizedFetch, stores }) => {
     note: '',
     reminderEnabled: true,
     reminderInterval: 'yearly',
-    reminderBeforeValue: 42,
-    reminderBeforeUnit: 'days'
+    reminderBeforeValue: 6,
+    reminderBeforeUnit: 'weeks'
   });
   const [images, setImages] = useState([]);
   const [existingImages, setExistingImages] = useState([]);
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ const JournalPage = ({ authorizedFetch, stores }) => {
       ? Math.max(0, rawValue)
       : Number.isFinite(fallbackValue)
         ? Math.max(0, fallbackValue)
-        : 42;
+        : 6;
     return { unit, value };
   }, []);
 
@@ -341,8 +341,8 @@ const JournalPage = ({ authorizedFetch, stores }) => {
       note: '',
       reminderEnabled: true,
       reminderInterval: 'yearly',
-      reminderBeforeValue: 42,
-      reminderBeforeUnit: 'days'
+      reminderBeforeValue: 6,
+      reminderBeforeUnit: 'weeks'
     });
   }, [images]);