As there are so many different journals and planners out there for you to use, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. Begin with why you want to use your journal/planner for. From there, it will be easier to narrow down your choices.
Types of Journaling
There is a lot of different types to choose from. Plus as there is no right or wrong way to journal, you can take your pick and do what calls to you.
Main Examples;
- Reflections Journal
- Gratitude Journal
- Mental Health Journal
- Reviews Journal
- Travel Journal
- Scrapbook Journal
- Bullet Journal
Find the type of journal that suits your needs most, and try it out. Giving yourself a trial run with one type, will help you explore what feels right for you. When I started journaling as an adult, It was for my mental health. Then over the past few years, I’ve starting using different journals for different things.
Just remember that you are journaling for yourself.
If you ever get stuck and don’t know how to start or what to include in your journal, then the internet is your friend! Pinterest always has a variety of images to spark any ideas. There are so many blogs out there too (like this one), that will help with getting you started.
Planners vs Journals
The biggest decision is if you want pre-made planner, or a blank notebook.
Planners
The most common, and easy to buy are planners. With so many brands, and styles to choose from. You will just have to browse what is available and go from there.
The only variation in planners, are the set up; Monthly / Weekly / Daily.
With the layouts already done, you are free to decorate how ever you like. Using any stationery medium to bring the dull pages to life.
Journals
This can be any book you find. Using up notebooks that you have laying around, or special journals with high gsm (grams per suqare metre) to help using markers, paints, etc.
Variations of journals are the types of paper; White / Cream / Black. And Blank / Lined / Dotted / Grid.
You are free to be as creative as you want with Journals. Making the pages as you allows you change anything as you work within the book. Nothing is set, so do whatever you want.
What I Currently Use
Daily Planners – Sprouted Planners 2025
I use these planners to write my daily tasks, events, and notes. Previously, I have used notebooks to create my own monthly and weekly spreads. But for this year, as I have a baby and a toddler to look after, I felt I needed a planner with times to help with planning everything for myself and my family.
Reading Journal – Archer & Olive A5 Dotted Journal
Since I started reading more in my spare time while pregnant, I thought starting a reading journal would be a good way to keep track of the books I’ve read. Using an Archer and Olive journal enables me to be creative with my book review layouts. Allowing me to update the book as I go.
Reflections Journal – MD Notebook A5 Lined
To help with mental health, I keep a daily reflections journal to help round up the end of the day. This is my personal thoughts, weekly reflections, and Fortnightly check-in’s. In the past, I have also added notes of self-love and anxiety workbooks.
Project Monthly Planner – Sunny Monthly B5 Planner
I wanted to have a planner to help keep track of social media and this blog posts. This planner actually starts in March, which is when I started keep track of my presence online. Having a lot of note pages lets me write notes for certain posts, to make sure I have a template before I begin making them.
While these are examples of the different types of journals I use. It doesn’t mean you also have to have everything separate. There are people who like to keep everything in one journal, so its easier to find or saves money on buying different books.
Trial and Error is the perfect way for you to explore which kind of journal or planner works best for you. Do what you want to do, and let the creativity flow.
~Thank you~
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