Taking a few minutes a day to write something, even if it’s just a couple of sentences, can improve your creative writing, improve your focus, and relieve stress.
Journals are used by many people to keep track of their everyday lives, but many others use them to keep track of their dreams or as scrapbooks.
Do you have an interest, but are unsure of how to begin? Here are some of the best places to buy fancy notebooks, and ideas and prompts on how to fill them. Get ready. Get set. Get journaling!
Journal Ideas
Journaling is a personal experience – some people keep several journals for different things, while others keep a single notebook filled with a variety of ideas. To get you started, here are a few journaling ideas:
Dream Journal
Have you ever woken up from a dream and thought, “That was a crazy dream”, only to realize that you had forgotten what it was about shortly after? You’ll remember most of the details if you write them down as soon as you wake up; even if you just wonder how they came about – you’ll keep a record of what you dream about. That weird dream of yours may inspire your next great novel or movie script – you never know.
Gratitude Journal
You can look back at your gratitude journal to get some inspiration whenever you feel down. You can make a big difference by taking a few minutes each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. A simple thing like the nice weather that day can make you grateful – it doesn’t have to be something big.
Art Journal
An art journal is the perfect tool for aspiring artists or those who like to doodle. With an art journal, you can express your creativity wherever and whenever you want. An art journal can be kept in any way you like, as no two will look alike. For a budding artist, the possibilities are endless. You can find more ideas on Pinterest by searching for “art journals“.
Travel Journal
This is where you can keep track of all your incredible travel adventures. The record of all the things you have seen and done is valuable. This is whether it is the result of something strange happening or finding a delicious restaurant you happened upon. If you want, you can add photos, tickets, maps, and other things to your journal entries, or you can use handwritten notes.
List Journal
The idea of making a journal full of little lists is fun, even if it can be hard to stick to them. You can find dozens of list prompts on the internet, but a simple to-do list for every day is a classic to start with.
Five Journaling Prompts
If you are still stuck for inspiration, here are a few ideas to get you started.
- Grab a copy of your favorite novel and flip to any page. Write down the first paragraph and illustrate it in your journal.
- Make a list of your favorite rainy-day activities. You’ll need them next time it rains.
- Whether you actually send it or not, writing a letter of forgiveness to someone may make you feel better.
- Complete this sentence: “I love the smell of…” (I love the smell of napalm in the morning is already taken.)
- What one thing from your past would you change if you could travel back in time?
Recommended Notebooks
All you need now is a notebook since you know what kind of journals there are, and what you can write in them. You can use a standard spiral notebook, but consider treating yourself to something more special. The following notebooks are worthy of keeping a journaling:
Moleskine
Moleskine notebooks are my favorite and there is a good reason why this Italian brand’s notebooks are so popular. With a variety of sizes, excellent paper quality, and a variety of notebook types, there is something for everyone.
Rhodia
Like Moleskine notebooks, the glossy paper and sleek leather covers make Rhodia notebooks perfect for scribbling your thoughts in.
Muji
If you’re looking for a minimalist and cost-friendly option, a Muji notebook is a perfect option. There are various sizes to choose from, and they can be filled with anything from dotted paper to plain paper.