Let’s explore why starting a journal—your ultimate tracker, planner and reflection tool—is one of the best things you can do for yourself today.
Here’s what happens when you put pen to paper:
- Get to know yourself better: Writing helps you figure out what drives you, what’s holding you back, and how to take charge of your life.
- Cut your stress levels: Journaling is the easiest way to offload worries and clear your head—it’s like hitting a mental reset button.
- Crush your goals: Use your notebook to track progress, stay focused, and turn your big ambitions into real results.
- Clear your mind: Writing sorts through the noise, helps you focus on what matters, and lets you move forward with confidence.
- Level up emotionally: Putting your feelings on paper helps you understand them, build resilience, and grow stronger every day.
- Spark your creativity: Writing unlocks fresh ideas, fuels your imagination, and helps you solve problems in new ways.
- Capture your best memories: Your journal keeps life’s best moments safe so you can look back, smile, and remember how far you’ve come.
Here’s The Thing 👀
- Your journal is your space to be 100% you.
- Journaling can be whatever you want.
- There’s no wrong way to do it.
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You Can Start Right Now
Get a pen and a piece of paper.
Just start writing.
Done.
You’ve started your journaling journey.
Don’t wait for the “perfect” time or fancy supplies.
7 Fun Ways To Kick Things Off:
- Write Down Your Goals: Daily, monthly, yearly—whatever, just get some pen to payer.
- To Do List: Write down 3 things you want to get done today. Check them off in your journal when complete.
- Dream Tracker: First thing every morning write down your dream(s) from last night.
- Mind Dump: Jot down whatever pops into your head—random thoughts, feelings, ideas. Remember: There are no rules.
- Quick Timer: Set a timer for 5 or 10 minutes and write until it rings. No need to overthink it. Write what you are thinking about. Write what you see out the window.
- Use a Prompt: Try questions like, “What made me smile today?” or “What’s something I want to remember forever?” Prompts can spark ideas if you’re feeling stuck.
- No Pressure Zone: Forget about spelling or making it sound nice. Messy is magical when it comes to journaling.
Journaling Techniques of Remarkable People
Tim Ferriss
- Morning Pages. Tim does a 3 page free-form writing exercise every morning. Whatever comes to mind he writes down to clear clutter and prep for the day.
- Five-Minute Journal. Ferriss uses this structured journal to set daily goals and grow his gratitude.
Taylor Swift
- Daily Reflection: Taylor documents her thoughts, feelings, and experiences to process emotions and find clarity.
- Lyrics: Swift writes down lyrics and melodies as they strike.
- Inspiration: Her journals act as a reservoir for crafting authentic and relatable lyrics.
Ryan Holiday
- Stoic: Ryan journals to prepare for the day and to set his Stoic intentions.
- Review: Holiday assesses his daily actions and identifies areas for improvement.
- Exercises: He employs journaling as a tool for Stoic practices and to maintain perspective.
Most Popular Journaling Products
Moleskin Notebook
- Moleskin’s most popular notebook is available in many sizes and styles.
- Is loved in the notebook and journaling communities for its durability and reliablity.
- High quality paper offers an enjoyable writing experience.
Uni-Ball Signo Pen
- The pen I own and love is extremely affordable and available everywhere.
- Amazing smooth writing experience and ink quality/longevity.
- Feels perfectly balanced and has a comfortable non-slip finger grip.
Five Minute Journal
- Prompt journal guides you toward positive thinking and daily reflection.
- Has morning and evening sections to keep you motivated and organized.
- Perfect if you’re looking for a guided experience.
Journey Through Everyday Journals
- Your journal can be anything.
- Making your journal yours is part of the fun.
- Here’s how 6 other journalers are journaling.
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What Should You Write About?
This is your journal, so you decide.
But if you need inspiration:
10 Journaling Styles To Get You Rolling:
- Gratitude Journaling. Write down 3 things you’re happy about every day, like getting ice cream, hanging with friends, or a sunny day.
- Bullet Journaling. Think of this as a super cool planner. You can make lists of things to do, track habits, or draw doodles.
- Prompt Journaling. Answer fun questions like, “What’s your dream superpower?” or “What made you smile today?”
- Morning Pages. Just grab your notebook first thing in the morning and write whatever pops into your head. No rules!
- Stream-of-Consciousness Journaling. Write down every thought in your brain, like a brain dump. Doesn’t matter if it’s messy!
- Habit Tracking Journaling. Use a chart or a list to keep track of things you want to do every day, like brushing your teeth or finishing homework.
- Reflection Journaling. At the end of the day, write about what happened—good stuff, bad stuff, or just random things you noticed.
- Mindfulness Journaling. Write about how you feel right now. Is it happy, bored, excited? Maybe even describe what you hear or smell.
- Dream Journaling. Write down your dreams as soon as you wake up. You never know, they could inspire a cool story!
- Fitness Journaling. Keep track of your sports, exercises, or even your scores in games to see how you improve.
Your journal doesn’t have to follow any rules. Write what feels right—this is your personal space.
10 Journaling Prompts:
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?
- If you were invisible for a day, what would you do?
- If you could eat only one food forever, what would it be?
- What’s your dream vacation?
- What’s one thing you’re really good at?
- If you could time travel, would you go to the past or the future? Why?
- What’s your favorite book or story?
- If you had $100 to spend, what would you buy?
- If you could design your perfect bedroom, what would it look like?
- Write about three things you love about yourself.
How Often Should You Journal?
There’s no “one-size-fits-all” schedule for journaling.
Many people love the ritual of journaling every morning.
Some only write in their journal every Sunday night.
It’s up to you.
The key is to make it fit your life, not the other way around.
- Short and Sweet: Even 5 minutes can make a difference. Simply write your 3 goals for the day. At night, come back and check off the stuff you completed.
- Go Big: If you’re on a roll, write for as long as you want. Write a short story if you want. If you’re in the the flow state—keep it going.
- Miss a Day? No Big Deal: Life happens. You can always start again tomorrow.
Worried About Privacy?
Your journal is your safe space, and it’s okay to want to keep it private. Here are a few ways to protect it:
- Find a Good Hiding Spot: Tuck it away somewhere only you know about.
- Lock it in a Safe: You can get a small safe for $30 these days. Buy one to keep your journal safe.
- Go Digital: Apps like Day One let you add passcodes to keep everything locked up.
- Use a Secret Code: Make up a way of writing only you can understand.
- Write and Destroy: Got something super personal? Write it down, then rip it up or shred it. Writing is what matters, not keeping the page.
Your Journaling Journey Can Change—And That’s Awesome
One of the coolest things about journaling is how it evolves with you. Maybe you start with long entries about your feelings but switch to quick lists when life gets busy. Or maybe you try sketching, collages, or even typing on your phone.
- Busy Life? Jot down a few bullet points when you’re short on time.
- Feeling Creative? Add doodles, poems, or quotes that inspire you.
- Want a Change? Write about TV shows you love, random dreams, or a funny conversation you had.
Your journal is your companion—it grows and shifts with your needs. And if you take a break? That’s totally fine. You can always come back when the time feels right.
The Golden Rule: There Are No Rules
The best part about journaling? It’s yours. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Forget the pressure to “do it perfectly.” Experiment, explore, and let your journal be whatever you need it to be.
So, grab a pen (or open your notes app) and start scribbling. You’ve got this!