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The Secret to A Successful Journaling Practice: Find Your Journal Style (We’ll Help!)
Have you been meaning to start a journal practice but don’t know where to begin? We get it. Journaling can be such a powerful way to connect with yourself and to set intentions, but it can also be daunting if you’ve never done it before.
We’re convinced that the secret to to starting (and sustaining) a productive journaling practice is to discover your journal style—and find a journal that suits it. Read on to find your perfect fit.
IF YOU…think in images
TRY…an unlined journal
WHY? Lines are like jail bars to visual thinkers. When you have a big blank page, you’re free to doodle your heart out. Sketch your goals, your fears, your ideas—anything at all. And if you get the urge to write something? By all means do it. With unlined paper, the possibilities are endless. The Daily Artist by Marc Johns takes the visual approach to journaling a step further by providing engaging drawing cues like “Draw or paint (or write) about a place you’d like to go to.” Another page has an outline of a head with the prompt “What’s your mood going to be tomorrow?”
IF YOU…freeze when you see a blank page
TRY… a journal with prompts
WHY? Even if you have a million thoughts you want to jot down, the pressure of the blank page can leave you feeling paralyzed. That’s why we love the new crop of journals with simple prompts. In Moorea Seal’s 52 Lists for Happiness, each week begins with a suggestion for a list, such as “List the ways you enjoy investing in your mind, body and soul,” or “List the projects you have been meaning to work on and finish.” She also includes a “Take Action” component to each list—which resonates perfectly with our Make It Happen motto.
IF YOU…are crazy-busy
TRY…a journal that respects your time
WHY? If a project feels impossible from the start, you’re going to drop it like a bad habit, fast. Opt for a journal with an attainable ask. The Happiness Project One Sentence Journal has space to write just one sentence each day, with an inspiring quote or thought-provoking idea at the top of each day’s page. It’s a super-quick way to create a snapshot of each day. And since this journal is designed to hold five years of one-line entries, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing how your entries for the same date evolve over the years.
IF YOU…love structure
TRY…A journal with lined or grid paper
WHY?…Just as the visual thinker might resist the imposed structure of lines, the ultra-organized thinker might feel untethered by the openness of a big blank page. Lined paper feels familiar and comfortable, and grid paper lends itself perfectly to making lists, devising charts, and creating columns. Both lined and grid paper can help you feel neat and tidy—which is what an order-loving brain needs to thrive.
IF YOU…want to keep it simple
TRY…a notebook, any notebook
WHY? Notebooks are cheap, easy to find anywhere, and not super special—and that’s exactly what we love about them. The lack of preciousness gives you freedom. There’s no pressure to write profound thoughts or have an epiphany with every entry, so you can write to your heart’s content and see where it takes you. If you want a place to start every time you sit down to write, try B3 founder Sadie Lincoln’s approach: “Each night of the week, jot down some quick notes on what you did that day and how you’re feeling. How did you move today? How did you nourish yourself? Were you able to connect with people? How might you adjust your plan for next week?”
Love the journals in the image above? You can find them here, here, here, here, and here.
Have you been meaning to start a journal practice but don’t know where to begin? We get it. Journaling can be such a powerful way to connect with yourself and to set intentions, but it can also be daunting if you’ve never done it before.
We’re convinced that the secret to to starting (and sustaining) a productive journaling practice is to discover your journal style—and find a journal that suits it. Read on to find your perfect fit.
IF YOU…think in images
TRY…an unlined journal
WHY? Lines are like jail bars to visual thinkers. When you have a big blank page, you’re free to doodle your heart out. Sketch your goals, your fears, your ideas—anything at all. And if you get the urge to write something? By all means do it. With unlined paper, the possibilities are endless. The Daily Artist by Marc Johns takes the visual approach to journaling a step further by providing engaging drawing cues like “Draw or paint (or write) about a place you’d like to go to.” Another page has an outline of a head with the prompt “What’s your mood going to be tomorrow?”
IF YOU…freeze when you see a blank page
TRY… a journal with prompts
WHY? Even if you have a million thoughts you want to jot down, the pressure of the blank page can leave you feeling paralyzed. That’s why we love the new crop of journals with simple prompts. In Moorea Seal’s 52 Lists for Happiness, each week begins with a suggestion for a list, such as “List the ways you enjoy investing in your mind, body and soul,” or “List the projects you have been meaning to work on and finish.” She also includes a “Take Action” component to each list—which resonates perfectly with our Make It Happen motto.
IF YOU…are crazy-busy
TRY…a journal that respects your time
WHY? If a project feels impossible from the start, you’re going to drop it like a bad habit, fast. Opt for a journal with an attainable ask. The Happiness Project One Sentence Journal has space to write just one sentence each day, with an inspiring quote or thought-provoking idea at the top of each day’s page. It’s a super-quick way to create a snapshot of each day. And since this journal is designed to hold five years of one-line entries, you’ll have the pleasure of seeing how your entries for the same date evolve over the years.
IF YOU…love structure
TRY…A journal with lined or grid paper
WHY?…Just as the visual thinker might resist the imposed structure of lines, the ultra-organized thinker might feel untethered by the openness of a big blank page. Lined paper feels familiar and comfortable, and grid paper lends itself perfectly to making lists, devising charts, and creating columns. Both lined and grid paper can help you feel neat and tidy—which is what an order-loving brain needs to thrive.
IF YOU…want to keep it simple
TRY…a notebook, any notebook
WHY? Notebooks are cheap, easy to find anywhere, and not super special—and that’s exactly what we love about them. The lack of preciousness gives you freedom. There’s no pressure to write profound thoughts or have an epiphany with every entry, so you can write to your heart’s content and see where it takes you. If you want a place to start every time you sit down to write, try B3 founder Sadie Lincoln’s approach: “Each night of the week, jot down some quick notes on what you did that day and how you’re feeling. How did you move today? How did you nourish yourself? Were you able to connect with people? How might you adjust your plan for next week?”
Love the journals in the image above? You can find them here, here, here, here, and here.
