Journaling is one of my favourite past-times. I’ve liked writing from a very young age, where I have always been an on-and-off journaler and have tried many different types of journaling. Most people don’t realise it, but there are endless possibilities for journaling.
Journal Entries
The most obvious type of journal is where you create physical documentation of your life, which is very therapeutic. It’s like a diary and can be done in different ways too. Whilst some people just like to describe their day, I only write the parts I find important to comment on. Rather than saying I went ice skating with my friends, I like to write about how I had a lot of fun with them, laughed when my friends (harmlessly) fell over, took cute pictures to remember the moment and felt safe & warm around them. This can obviously go both ways for when you do a journal entry on a shittier day, but personally, I think it’s better to also state how your day made you feel, not just what you did.
Bullet Journal
I’ve kept a bullet journal for about four years, which isn’t a very long time. This is an effective and productive way to keep track of your life in one little notebook, with personalisation as you create the spreads yourself. I could write an entirely different article on bullet journal spread inspiration, as you can get creative with them. The more talented bullet journalers would most likely use watercolour and paint the most extravagant of spreads. I tend to go more on the basic side, with washi tape, pens and the classic midliners, but you can also go extreme minimalistic with just a solid black pen. With a bullet journal, you can create lists, mood trackers, habit trackers, weekly spreads, to-do lists, monthly favourites, finance spreads, movie and book trackers, and my personal favourite, the brain dump spread I have after every month to keep my whirling mind sane and have my thoughts written down.
Art Journal
Whilst I have an art journal, I don’t use it that much. I use it when I have a burst of energy to draw or paint, use charcoal, or oil pastels. I recommend buying a small one so you can take it anywhere and sketch whenever you feel inspired or come across something sketch worthy.
Dream Journal
I get most of my ideas before I sleep. I don’t tend to dream, but on the occasional time that I do, they are wild. As someone who wants to write their own book one day, I always take note of any ideas I have which could go towards the main idea because you can use anything as inspiration. So, write your dreams down as soon as you wake up because even if you don’t use them to write a book like I intend to, it’s a good story to tell at the next gathering you attend.
Travel Journal
I love my travel journal. It’s a dainty little journal I take with me whenever I go abroad, where I document my days, the sights I’ve seen, the food I’ve eaten and live my best life. Having a little polaroid printer is also helpful because it means I can stick pictures as I go into the journal, almost making a little scrapbook out of it too. And it’s an amazing way to reminisce all in one place of your eventful holidays.
Scrap Journal
I call a scrap journal the type of journal where you keep the bits and bobs you don’t know where to stick anywhere else; possible train tickets, notes, random thoughts and making it look pretty. Use kraft paper to add a little dimension, stick washi tape and stickers into it. The best ones are a little messy!
Food Journal
A food journal is a place where you can put down recipes, restaurants, and reviews all in one place. Whilst I tend to do this on my phone for ease, I would recommend this if you are a massive foodie.
Whether a friend has sent you a recipe or you want to save one of your own, stick it into your food journal. When you go to restaurants, snap pictures (or draw them if you are able), put the pictures in your journal and give them a five-star review (with comments).
Reading Journal
If you are a big reader and you want to keep track of your thoughts on the books you read, I would highly recommend having a reading journal. It has become a good way to write my own reviews and take notes of my thoughts on books I’ve read. As a forgetful person, I also like knowing I have this written down so I can look back if I ever wanted to remember what I liked/disliked about a book and whether I would consider reading it again. You can also give yourself reading challenges, such as reading a specific genre each month, provide yourself reading logs and recommendations. If you’re not into that though, sign up to Good Reads!
Gratitude journal
I tend to have gratitude pages in my bullet journal, but some prefer to separate these because we might get into cycles where our moods are negatively impacted, and you might need to fill in some sort of gratitude to remember the good stuff. As a reminder that the horrible times will pass, a gratitude journal is quite good in journaling the things you are grateful for.
Project journal
Some people like to keep separate journals for individual projects they are working on. This can become quite useful if you’re working on several things as it can keep you organised and on track in knowing what they are, what they require and when it needs to be completed.
Finance journal
Like the Gratitude Journal, I tend to do finances within my bullet journal, but some people like an entirely different notebook for their finances. There are a lot of benefits of doing it this way. You can keep track of what and where you spend your money and figure out whether that is necessary. You can plan when your bills are due and how to distribute money adequately such as saving up for a new TV or that Christmas gift you want to get your mum.
Ideas/Inspiration Journal
I keep this journal on me everywhere. In the beginning, I always plan on making it neat, but it always results in being an organised mess all in one notebook. Every thought I have that needs to be remembered is put in that notebook – any quick lists I need, plans, ideas, inspirations, you name it, it’s in that journal. I find that one the most useful out of all the types I have mentioned.
There are many ways to journal. You can create a journal out of anything and everything you enjoy doing. If you like crocheting, you could document your projects, different patterns, yarn types. If you like fitness, you could document your achievements, favourite artists of fitness gurus. At the end of the day, there are several stunning notebooks out there that you can fill in the way you want it to be filled.