There’s more than one way to keep a journal. Some people document travel adventures, dreams, and moments of gratitude. Others fill the pages with goals, to-dos, and hopes for what’s ahead.
No matter your approach, journaling can be a powerful tool for mindfulness and self-care. Research shows that regular journaling can reduce stress, increase self-awareness, improve mood, and support emotional well-being.
So, where do you begin? Right where you are! There is no “right” way to journal, only the one that is authentic to you. Here are four journaling styles our team loves. We hope their stories inspire you to discover one that’s right for you.
Gratitude Journaling
Gratitude begins with noticing. A gratitude journal encourages you to pause and record the people, moments, and everyday joys you’re thankful for. Over time, your journal will become a treasured archive of beautiful moments that might otherwise be forgotten.
Why Kimberly Loves It
“I keep a datebook by my bedside, but instead of filling it with plans and appointments, I write down at least one thing I want to remember from each day. It takes less than a minute but it helps me pause, review my day, and consider what made it distinct from every other.
“Some entries capture major moments. But most days, I use the pages to write down simple joys—a book I enjoyed, a hug I really needed from a friend, a bird sighting that made me smile.
“This journal is a reminder that it all matters. Because this is my life, and I want to savor it all.” —Kimberly Goode, Marketing Editor
Junk Journaling
Movie tickets, gift tags, receipts, postcards, pressed flowers—everyday keepsakes tell the story of a life. A junk journal transforms these little treasures into creative collages that preserve memories. Add words if you’d like, or let the mementos speak for themselves!
Why Angeline Loves It
“As someone who works on screens all day, I love being able to switch my brain off and enjoy the tactile experience of junk journaling. There’s something so satisfying about tearing scrapbook pages for a background and playing with a rainbow of gel pens.
“I document everything! I’ve got several pages dedicated to vacations, birthday celebrations, and special events. But I have just as many pages devoted to everyday moments like a Tuesday afternoon at the park or a particularly fun drawing that my daughter made. I even collaged together a page of candy wrappers and fun snack packaging!
“I’ve never considered myself a particularly artistic person. But with a junk journal there isn’t a pressure to make things look perfect or match a specific aesthetic. I get to experiment!” —Angeline Candido, Ecommerce Business Manager
Art Journaling
Sometimes colors, shapes, and textures can express what words cannot. An art journal is a wonderful way to process your thoughts with paint, stamps, markers—whatever you have on hand. You don’t have to make the pages “look” like anything. Just let them be an honest reflection of your inner world.
Why Christa Loves It
“I turn to my art journal when I’m feeling overwhelmed or emotional. It really helps me to slow down and paint or write my feelings, and when I’m done there is satisfaction in looking at the physical representation of my experience.
“I keep a manila envelope with my journal so that when I reach for it, there are always mark-making tools nearby. The envelope has bits of torn paper for collage, a glue stick, pens, and paint. That way, no matter how I am feeling, there is a medium that matches.
“My art journal provides an outlet for thoughts or feelings I might not be comfortable sharing with another person. Once the art is made, the feelings have been documented outside of myself and I feel more able to move through them.” —Christa Katz, Senior Designer
Brain-Dump Journaling
A brain-dump journal is a judgment-free zone to release whatever is on your mind. Fill the pages with ideas, worries, questions, goals—anything that is taking up mental space. No need to organize or edit. Just let the page hold whatever you’re carrying.
Why Dienesa Loves It
“When I feel full of thoughts and emotions swirling, my brain-dump journal is one place to put them. It is akin to a friend I can say anything to—unfiltered. When I’m writing, I put a name or phrase to what I’m thinking or feeling at the time and can acknowledge it on the page. Then, I either do the work of processing and analyzing… or I just let that thought or feeling sit on the page and move on.
“My journal holds a myriad of things—silly, deep, random, heartfelt. But I always start each entry by describing the setting around me—whether I am in the kitchen or at a park, if there’s a candle or a cup of coffee nearby, and (as is usually the case) if my dog is sleeping softly beside me. From there, the writing flows.” —Dienesa Le, Editor
Your journaling practice doesn’t have to be beautiful, profound, or even daily. Every time you return to the page, you have a chance to notice where you are, honor who you are, and celebrate the people you get to share the journey with. Explore our journals & notebooks to find one right for you.
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