20 Types of Journals to Keep

Could you call journaling a hobby? While most might say “no”, treat it like it is. Now with a countless number of different journals to keep, you can spend the time sifting through all your options to find the right one for you. Or, if you’re an avid journaler (we know there are a few out there), then maybe try a few on for fit.

Journaling has been going for a long time, originating in ancient China, when Ma Dubo wrote about his traveling adventures to Mount Tai to perform a ritualistic offering to the emperor. This helps us get a perspective of how journaling can be historically important, as it uncovers the daily truths of people in different eras and corners of the world.

But why would journaling be important for you, personally?

And among all the different types of journals to keep, which one should you choose?

"Whether you’re keeping a journal or writing as a meditation, it’s the same thing. What’s important is that you’re having a relationship with your mind." – Nataly Goldberg

This answers the second question: all types of personal journals are great for you, as long as you spend the time to self-reflect and look inward.

It’s not just the romanticized quotes of famous authors telling us that journaling has immense benefits for our overall well-being, science has something to say as well. To sum it up, research has shown that journaling can be highly beneficial for people suffering from various psychological conditions (ADHD, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, psychosis, PTSD…), as tracking thoughts, conditions, and creating daily structures helps self-reflection.

Psychologist and researcher James Pennebaker believes that journaling can help us strengthen our immune system by acting as a stress management tool. According to Pennebaker, it reduces the impact of stressors on our T-lymphocyte cells (a fancy name for white blood cells, or immune system cells). Moreover, science shows that writing activates the left brain hemisphere, our rational headquarters, simultaneously deliberating the creative right brain to just feel.

So, now you’re thinking—if it’s all about health, why don’t I just eat my beans and salad, exercise, and not waste my time on journaling? Well, here's a list of the reasons backed by the science:

• Emotional well-being: journaling helps you understand yourself better and liberate daily stress and confusion;
• Mental and emotional clarification: we live busy lives and sometimes need to take a few minutes to get in touch with ourselves by writing it all down;
• Stress reduction: as we mentioned already, a journal is an excellent anti-stress tool that helps you feel calmer and better-organized, consequently boosts your immune system;
• Problem-solving: what do you think, is solving equations easier in your head or on paper? Different types of journals can help you with solving different problems in life.

Perhaps you should also know that there is a type of psychotherapy called Journal Therapy, and many psychotherapists from different schools of thought practice journaling with their patients.

So let's see what types of journals are out there, and how you can benefit from keeping each of them.

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1. The Blank Notebook Journal

If you genuinely feel inspired to write, a blank notebook is the perfect solution. It’s like a small safe space that fits in your bag and you can enter it whenever you want and share what’s on your mind. If you happen to have more serious aspirations with your writing (like publishing), then leave that to your computer or another book, as your blank journal should specifically serve just one purpose: journaling.

"I never travel without my diary. One should always have something sensational to read on the train." – Oscar Wilde

The benefits of keeping a blank notebook journal:

• It’s your blank canvas that can fulfill every journaling need;
• Among all the types of journals to keep, this one gives you unmatched creative freedom.

Who’s it best for

• People who can’t find a curated journal with the aesthetics they like;
• People who don’t want to follow a certain structure;
• Writers: various types of journals to keep can be essential for writers and other creatives.

2. The Dream Journal

What we basically do while dreaming is processing all the events that happened during that day or over a longer period, in a symbolic and completely subjective manner. It’s like a movie that reflects our perception of the world, which is why it’s always good to reflect on our dreams. In case you’re seeing a therapist, it can be of double importance.

A great way to prevent your dream from disappearing into oblivion is journaling. With Night Notes, for example. Keep your dream journal by the bed and write down your dream the moment you open your eyes. This way, it’s much more likely that you’ll retain more details. Also, after a certain period of writing down those dreams, you may notice how your overall dream memory enhances.

Dream Journaling Benefits

• Better dream retention and analysis.

Who’s It Best For

• Those seeing a therapist that may need to reflect on dreams during sessions;
• Those interested in self-analysis who would like to include dream analysis into their reflective process.

3. Creative Journal

Don’t skip this section: it’s not an artists-only journal. Yes, that’s right, you don’t need to be an artist to keep a creative journal, but if you are, it can be highly beneficial for preserving your creative ideas and spontaneous art pieces.

But, how do I keep a creative or an art journal if I’m not an artist?, you may ask. Well, you don’t need to be an artist to release your creative potential. Anyone can take a pencil, crayon, or whatever they like, and experiment on paper.

Another inspiring thing to do is to document and write down your impressions after visiting museums, exhibitions, concerts, theatre plays, movies, and other art shows. You can also clip a ticket or a photo to a page, to make it more interesting and sentimental.

We also should mention that people suffering from psychotic illnesses can benefit from releasing their creativity and keeping an art journal, as it helps them achieve a sense of freedom, see different perspectives, express their thoughts and emotions through drawing (when it’s hard to do with words), and much more. Apart from that, creativity can help with procrastination.

Among all the types of journals on this list, this one is one of our personal favorites. That's why we collaborated with Chelsea Kaui to combine mindfulness and creativity into one self-growth tool, The Notes to Mindfulness Journal. But a blank notebook will work, too.

Art Journal Benefits

• Releasing your creative energy;
• Preserving creative artistic ideas;
• Preserving your memories from cultural events.

Who’s It Best For

• Artists and creators;
• Anyone who wants to express their creative potential;
• Those who want to express their feelings and emotions without words;
• Those who want to preserve memories of artsy events they attended;
• People suffering from anxiety or depression;
• Those who want to focus on psychological well-being.

4. Food Journal

You like trying out different recipes but never keep them in one place? You traveled to Spain last summer and loved that paella and want to prepare it at home? Your grandmother passed on to you the secret family ingredient for pasta and you want to treasure it for years to come?

Keeping a food journal can get really creative and go beyond collecting recipes. You can sketch dishes you want to prepare, write down restaurants and meals you loved while travelling, plan a New Year's dinner party, or keep track of products that affect your well-being.

There is another positive side to keeping a food journal—if you’re trying to make smarter food choices, it’s good to plan your meals ahead, track your daily water intake, and measure progress if you want to stay accountable to yourself and your nutrition habits.

Food Journal Benefits

• Meal-planning;
• Collecting recipes, photos, sketches of great meals;
• Making grocery shopping easier.

Who’s It Best For

• Those who want to make more conscious food choices;
• Those who want to plan and improve their nutrition;
• Food enthusiasts who enjoy collecting recipes and food memories.

5. Gratitude Journal

Gratitude is one of the key pillars of living a happy, fulfilling life. Tim Ferris admitted that journaling and note-taking are the two activities that inspire his brainstorming sessions, improve his focus, and help him reduce anxiety. He specifically uses The Five Minute Journal—a structured gratitude journal designed for anyone who wants to boost positivity, reduce anxiety, and improve well-being.

If you’re not a fan of long- or free-format journaling, you will love this simple and guided journal with daily repetitive prompts designed to lead you towards becoming the best possible version of yourself. In just five minutes a day, you can focus on what you are grateful for in your life, shift your focus on what you have instead of what you lack, and make the most of each day.

Gratitude journaling is also suitable for kids, so it can be a fun activity for the whole family. There are curated kids journals as well, such as The Five Minute Journal For Kids, where the children can reflect on their happy moments during each day and learn the concepts of mindfulness, positivity, and gratitude.

Gratitude Journaling Benefits

• Improves mental health;
• Helps you keep your focus on the positive (even when you’re going through a rough period);
• Reduces stress and anxiety, as it helps you shift your attention to the good things;
• Helps you improve relationships, as it helps you become more empathetic, patient, and calm.

Who’s It Best For

• Those who want to feel better, be happier, and have a positive attitude;
• Those who’d like to keep a journal, but don’t have time for extensive writing.

6. Reading Journal

How many books have you read (or listened to) this year? Do you prefer spending most weekends in a cozy armchair with a novel in your hand over going out? Perhaps you’re also a book club member. If the answer is yes and yes, we have one thing to ask: do you own a reading journal?

Keeping a reading journal is an excellent way to analyze and memorize the books you’re reading. You can use it to write down learnings, reflections, and notes, jot down thoughts about the chapters that resonated with you, keep quotes or passages you’d like to remember, or write short essays (and maybe alternative endings) once the story ends.

Reading Journaling Benefits

• Keeping all the quotes you find important and useful in one place;
• Keeping a log of all the books you read for quick reference;
• You’re always ready for the book club session.

Who’s it best for

• Reading enthusiasts;
• Book-club members;
• Quotes-lovers.

7. Travel Journal

We believe you can’t imagine going on a trip without taking any photos. And where do these photos end up? Facebook? Instagram? Somewhere on the cloud?

In the past, people used to write travel memoirs as they didn’t have portable cameras to carry around. And we think there’s something romantic in visiting a place and writing about the impressions it made on you. Like going for a hike in the mountains with your loved one and preserving that memory in a travel journal. Or maybe jotting down a promise you made to yourself while soaking up the sun and enjoying the European joy of doing nothing.

Travel journaling is so much more than a plain recording of what you saw, ate, or visited. It’s more about how it made you feel, the emotions you experienced, and how it engaged all your five senses to result in the final imprint the destination had on you.

To enhance your travel entries, you may also include photos or sketches that you captured. Even if you’re not an artist, you can get inspired by something you saw on your trip. You can also include tickets, packing lists, important numbers and addresses, go-to lists, or even short dictionaries with words and phrases you learned while traveling and exploring.

Travel Journaling Benefits

• It’s a fun and creative way of preserving memories from a journey;
• Helps you reduce packing anxiety, as everything you need to check is in one place: numbers, addresses, packing lists, shopping lists, etc;
• You don’t depend on your mobile phone’s battery for that kind of information if you have it all written down.

Who’s It Best For

• Everyone. Even if you don’t travel so often, or so far from home, it’s a great and mindful way to give your journeys this note of special importance.

8. Future Vision Journal

Keeping a future vision journal is a powerful way to create the life you truly want. Visualization and intentional planning are key elements of designing a meaningful and purpose-driven future. The Life Designer Journal is built on this foundation, helping you clarify your beliefs, values, set the big, audacious goals, and take actionable steps towards creating the life of your dreams.

The Life Designer Journal offers guided prompts to help you reflect on your deepest desires and design a vision for your future that reflects the most authentic you. Whether you’re going through a transition, looking to make major life decisions, or find your purpose in life, this journal helps you clarify what you truly want and evolve as the vision of your ideal life grows.

Keeping a future vision journal is essential for anyone looking to live proactively, rather than passively reacting to life’s circumstances.

Future Vision Journaling Benefits

• Supports you during transitional periods and life changes;
• Provides clarity when feeling stuck or unsure where to start;
• Helps you map out a new chapter in your life;
• Aligns your daily actions with your long-term vision;
• Encourages reflection, growth, and adaptability.

Who’s It Best For

• Those who want to actively design their life and align their goals with their core values;
• Anyone looking for a structured approach to journaling that leads to long-term growth and success.

9. Project Journal

If you feel like you’d like to track your success and keep a record of all the amazing things you’ve done, consider keeping a project journal.

If there’s a work-related project you’d like to be successful at, a project journal can help you divide it into steps, set proper goals and time boundaries, and write about your achievements and caveats.

Also, if you’re a DIY type of person, you can use your project journal to keep a record of everything you’ve made happen.

Project Journaling Benefits

• Keeping track of your work or life-related projects;
• Great for planning ahead and structuring project-related activities;

Who’s It Best For

• DIY project heads;
• Those whose job consists of projects.

10. Fitness Journal

Whether you're looking to improve endurance, build strength, or maintain a balanced lifestyle, keeping a fitness journal can help you stay motivated and organized. By documenting your exercise routines, nutrition habits, and personal milestones, you create a clear picture of what’s working and where adjustments can be made, making your fitness journey more intentional and effective.

If you’re into having a strong body and healthy mind, a mindful fitness journal is the tool for you. The Five Minute Journal Fit Edition helps you transform your fitness journey with daily reflections, vital trackers like sleep, energy, and water intake, clear goal setting, meal planning, and a shift in mindset. What makes this journal so unique is the holistic focus on fitness, emotional well-being, and mind-body connection.

Fitness Journaling Benefits

• Track fitness progress over time;
• Set and achieve specific fitness goals;
• Boost accountability for daily exercise, nutrition, and rest;
• Monitor overall health, including sleep and hydration;
• Reflect on physical and emotional well-being.

Who’s It Best For

• Those aiming for specific fitness goals (e.g., weight loss, muscle gain);
• Individuals seeking a mindful, holistic approach to fitness;
• Fitness enthusiasts wanting to track progress and habits;
• Anyone needing structured guidance for staying motivated;
• People focused on balancing mind, body, and wellness.

11. Pocket Journal

A pocket journal is a very small notebook that, obviously—fits your pocket. It’s there for you anytime you need it.

For example, you get a sudden rush of ideas for your project while riding on the metro. You hear something useful in a conference that you’d like to research further later. A colleague at work tells you incredible words of support and encouragement you’d like to remember later. No problem, just reach out to your pocket journal and jot it all down.

Benefits of Having a Pocket Journal

• Write down your thoughts and ideas anywhere, anytime.

Who’s it Best For

• Those who see themselves as forgetful;
• Those who multitask a lot and need to write down their thoughts on the run;
• Creatives like song writers, comedians, poets, etc.

12. Personal Junk Journal

Your personal junk journal is for venting your frustrations, bad moods, stressful events—negative energy in general. It can be your cathartic relief source when you’re trying to cope during hard times. By regularly releasing these thoughts and emotions, you prevent them from bottling up inside, making this type of journaling a powerful tool for emotional detox.

This type of journaling allows you to express your raw thoughts without judgment or worry about structure. It’s a way to let go, reflect on your stressors, and ultimately make room for more positive energy and personal clarity.

The Benefits of Having a Personal Junk Journal

• Provides emotional release and reduces mental clutter;
• Helps you identify recurring stressors or patterns of negativity;
• Offers a safe space to vent without hurting relationships or bottling up emotions;
• Allows for self-reflection and personal growth after expressing difficult feelings.

Who’s it Best For

• Those facing ongoing stress or personal challenges;
• People looking for an outlet to process negative thoughts and emotions;
• Anyone who needs a private space for emotional release and clarity.

13. Pregnancy Journal

Pregnancy is one of the most transformative and memorable journeys in life for both the mother and her partner. A pregnancy journal allows you to capture these precious moments, preserving the joy, excitement, and challenges that come with the experience.

Beyond emotional value, a pregnancy journal serves several practical purposes. As hormones fluctuate, mood swings, cravings, and symptoms can arise. Writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you process these changes, making it easier to cope with the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy.

Additionally, tracking daily details can be essential, especially if your healthcare provider asks you to monitor specific symptoms or changes. Pregnancy brain—where forgetfulness is common due to hormonal shifts—can make it hard to remember key details. Keeping a journal helps ensure nothing important slips through the cracks.

You can also document your changing self-perception as you prepare for motherhood, your thoughts on baby names, nursery ideas, and baby shower plans. Recording milestones such as baby movements, Braxton Hicks contractions, and other physical experiences adds even more depth. At the end of this journey, you’ll have a meaningful record, capped off with your birth story.

Benefits of Keeping a Pregnancy Journal

• Track moods, cravings, body changes, and baby movements;
• Preserve special memories from pregnancy to revisit later or share with your child;
• Help manage pregnancy brain by noting important symptoms and doctor’s recommendations.

Who’s It Best For

• Pregnant women and couples.

14. Love Journal

A love journal, like The Weekly Love Planner, is a powerful tool for nurturing deeper connection and harmony in your relationship. By setting aside time each week to reflect on your relationship, this journal guides you in celebrating shared moments, resolving challenges, and setting intentions for the future. It helps you stay mindful of the love you’re building together and promotes open communication through intentional journaling.

Benefits of Keeping a love journal

• Strengthens communication and emotional connection in your relationship;
• Encourages thoughtful reflection, quality time planning, and shared goal-setting;
• Helps resolve challenges and track relationship growth over time.

Who’s It Best For

• Couples who want to deepen their connection and improve communication;
• Partners seeking a weekly practice to nurture their relationship;
• Anyone looking to be more intentional about their love life and relationship goals.

15. Group Journal

Journaling is not necessarily an individual activity. Any kind of journaling raises your awareness and attention to the area of your journaling efforts, leading you towards a better understanding of it, and making it easier for you to progress in that area of life.

The same goes for shared journaling. You can significantly improve your relationships with other people if you keep a journal together. Here are some ideas:

• Family journal: track important dates, events, conflicts, resolutions, accomplishments;
• Relationship journal: it can be very beneficial for your relationship to keep a journal with your partner. You can use it to capture memories, analyze conflicts, write about your goals, or post pictures;
• Friendship journal: the same goes for keeping a journal with your best friend. This can become one of your dearest memories in the future.

16. Productivity Journal

If you find yourself struggling with procrastination or constantly feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list, a productivity journal could be the tool you need. It’s easy to get excited about new projects and set lofty goals, but without proper structure, this often leads to frustration. A productivity journal helps you break down your tasks into manageable steps and prioritize what truly matters.

The Productivity Planner is designed with this in mind. Based on the Focused Time Technique, it encourages you to structure your day by focusing on the most important tasks first, helping you work smarter, not harder. With its simple, elegant design, the planner helps streamline your mental energy, track your progress, and build better productivity habits over time.

Benefits of Keeping a Productivity Journal

• Focuses your attention on the highest-priority tasks of the day;
• Helps reduce overwhelm by breaking tasks into manageable steps;
• Tracks your progress and success over time, reinforcing good habits.

Who’s It Best For

• Anyone struggling with procrastination or task prioritization;
• Those looking to build better time-management habits;
• Individuals wanting a clear and effective system to boost daily productivity.

17. What I Wish My Life Was: Pray-Rain Journal

We all have moments where we imagine how life could be different—dreaming of something more, whether it’s a new home, a better job, or becoming a more productive version of yourself. A Pray-Rain Journal is a powerful way to take those dreams and write about them as if they’re already your reality.

Picture a goal, like buying your own apartment. In your journal, describe what it feels like to live there—what’s the first thing you bought, how you decorated it, how it makes you feel. Or for more abstract goals, like setting boundaries or boosting productivity, write about how you’re already living that way.

The key is to write in the present tense, as though you’ve already reached your goal—no “ifs” or “maybes,” just the reality you’re creating.

Benefits of Pray Rain Journaling

• Helps you get clear on your goals;
• Encourages you to think through the emotions and effects of achieving those goals.

Who’s It Best For

• People unsure about their goals or what they want.
• Those who need to explore their intentions more deeply.

18. Finance Journal

Ever feel like your money has mysteriously disappeared? You're not alone—many of us face the challenge of tracking our spending or sticking to a budget. A finance journal is the perfect solution for regaining control over your money.

By keeping a detailed log of your income, expenses, and savings, you can spot patterns, eliminate unnecessary spending, and create a clear financial plan for the future. While apps are great, there’s something powerful about putting pen to paper and seeing your financial picture unfold right in front of you.

Whether you're trying to save for a big goal, get out of debt, or just understand where your money is going, a finance journal helps you take ownership of your financial story.

Benefits of Keeping a Financial Journal

• Provides clear insight into where your money goes;
• Helps you set realistic financial goals and create effective budgets;
• Encourages mindful spending by tracking every transaction.

Who’s It Best For

• Those who struggle to manage their money or stick to a budget;
• Anyone looking to gain control over their finances and plan for the future.

19. Ideas Journal

You might wonder—do I really need a separate journal just for ideas? While you could jot them down in your everyday notebook, having a dedicated space for capturing all your creative, clever, wild, or practical ideas can be incredibly rewarding, especially if you’re the type whose mind is always buzzing with thoughts.

An ideas journal isn’t just for writing. You can sketch, create lists, paste photos, or mind-map your thoughts. This process helps you organize your ideas and also clears mental space, allowing you to think more creatively and connect concepts in new ways.

Benefits of Keeping an Idea Journal

• Keeps all your ideas organized in one place;
• Helps you connect and develop ideas into bigger plans;
• Boosts creativity by encouraging visual thinking and brainstorming.

Who’s It Best For

• Creatives and innovators;
• Anyone looking for a dedicated space to organize and develop their ideas.

20. Letter Journal

There’s something timeless and therapeutic about letter writing. Whether or not you send them, letters allow you to slow down, reflect, and put your thoughts into words. A letter journal (like Becoming a Warrior Journal) is a private space where you can express emotions, thoughts, and reflections.

Use this journal to write letters to your future self, your childhood self, or even to friends, family, and loved ones. It’s up to you whether you ever share them—just the act of writing is a form of therapy that encourages mindfulness and deep introspection.

Benefits of Letter Journaling

• Helps you reflect on life, relationships, and personal growth;
• Encourages mindfulness and emotional release.

Who’s It Best For

• Those who want to connect more deeply with themselves;
• Anyone who enjoys reflective, introspective practices.

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There are surely more than twenty types of journals to keep, as you can journal about literally anything. Different types of journals serve different purposes, but what’s important, though, is that you perceive journaling as a relieving and rewarding activity, because that’s what it should be.

Now, which journal(s) will you start?