Which Journal Is Right For You?

Journaling is a wonderful way to record your personal thoughts and ideas. I personally journal for reflection, intention setting, gratitude, planning, digging deep emotionally and more.  Other people may journal for different reasons, and that is the beauty of it – there is no right or wrong way to do it!  With the start of a new year you may find yourself wanting to get intimate with your thoughts by the way of journaling, or you may be an old hand at it but looking for new ways to go about it.  There are so many different journals on the market, and it can be difficult to work out which is the right journal for you.  I thought I would share the three journals I am using this year, and why.

1.  My Shining Year

These gorgeously artistic workbooks are the brain (and love!) child of Leonie Dawson.  There are numerous products in the range including life and business workbooks and a weekly diary/planner.  They were first released in 2009 and have now been used by more than 250,000 people!  This is the first year I have used these stunning workbooks and I am a little bit in love with them.  They are very creative and have been illustrated beautifully.  Although they aren’t a daily journal as such, they are workbooks that claim to transform your life, and according to many devoted fans, they really do!  The life book is a wonderful place to start, with dedicated sections on creativity, the mind, relationships, body, finances, self-care etc.  The book is full of prompts and leaves ample space for you to get creative.  It is the sort of book you can work through and complete as it feels right, and that you will most certainly also reflect on throughout the year. I would highly recommend these books for anyone who wants to plan the year ahead, be mindful of all parts of their life (particularly if you have your own business), that wants to be more creative, and who has some beautiful goals to reach!  Find the books here! And be quick, because they are currently half price!

2.  Daily Greatness Journal

I ummed and ahhed about this journal and nearly didn’t buy one – simply because I had already chosen some others.  Then I went to visit a friend who had just received hers and after flipping through I went home and ordered straight away!  Daily Greatness have a range of different journals, including but not limited to, a 12 week training journal (which I am also using), a wellness journal and a parenting journal.  These journals have a page per day and full of prompts – the right prompts!  Each day of the week has a different set of questions, and although there isn’t blank pages to dump your thoughts on, there is space to record your appointments/schedule and reminders.  At the end of each week is a weekly check in and planner for the week ahead, and again at the end of each 90 day period.  The pages are undated so you can begin at any time, and if you miss a day it is totally fine!  I have very quickly fallen in love with this journal and am sure I will continue to use these for years to come.  Check out these awesome journals here.

3.  Any blank journal/notebook/paper

You don’t need something fancy to be able to journal.  You literally just need a space to release your thoughts and dream your future.  Paper, book, computer – whatever works for you!  The reason I like to use a blank journal, is because although some days I am happy to answer some prompted questions and be done with it, other days I like to write, a lot.  Some days you need to dig deep to try and work out why you are feeling a certain way, or to simply dump your thoughts and feelings anywhere other than inside your head, or you may have some lengthy goals you want to plan.  The beauty of a blank book is that there are no boundaries, there is no right and wrong.  You can simply write until your heart is content!  You can also search for journaling prompts online if you would like to use your blank book/paper/computer but want some inspiration or ideas on what to write.

It doesn’t matter what journal you use, or how you do it, as long as it works for you!  The start of the new year is a wonderful time to release things from your past and align yourself with your values and goals for the year ahead.  Dream big!  The world is yours gorgeous.  We would love to know what sort of journal you use, and why?

Looking for the first or second part of our ‘How To Fall In Love With Journaling’ series?

Part 1 can be found here.

Part 2 can be found here.