When you begin journaling, you might realize that having different types of journals might be the best way to keep everything organized. While there are more than 10 types of journals you can create, here we’ll look at some common ones that you might want to try.
When you have more than one type of journal, you can simply go to the specific journal to work on one issue at a time or to help you keep something organized so that you can make better use of the different types of journals.
Let’s look at 10 types of journals to try:
1. Bullet Journal
Bullet Journals: This type of journal is useful for anyone who has lots of to-do lists, loves using a pen and paper, and enjoys goal tracking. Your journal should have a table of contents that you create as you add to the journal so you can find things. You’ll use symbols, colors, and lines to make your bullet journal. You should be able to understand at a glance what’s on the page.
Pro tip: These can also make fantastic day planners. I use a bullet journal because I couldn’t find a printed planner that worked for me. So, I made my own. It’s flexible, and you can add in anything that you want. There’s no need to get fancy when you’re starting out. I use a spiral bound drawing pad that I picked up for five bucks.
2. Vision Journal
Vision Journals: You may have heard of vision boards, and a vision journal is essentially the same, except it’s a journal that helps guide you to your vision. You can set it up this way: have only one goal per page. Then you can write words, add pictures, or draw something that enables you to make plans to reach that goal. When you do reach the goal, be sure to go back and add the date of achievement.
Pro tip: It’s best to keep these types of journals handy and to review them often.
3. Line-A-Day Journals
Basically, this journal is what it’s called—you write down only one line a day. You will simply write in the journal a short line about what you did that day. It should be only a sentence or two at the most, and should not take up that much space in your journal. Some people like using a calendar and a pen for this.
Pro tip: Did you get an extra calendar at the beginning of the year? It can be put into service as a line-a-day journal. Easy and cheap!
4. Classic Journal
This is simply a diary, and you can write whatever you want in it every day. It can be long or short, or you can skip days if you want to. The classic journal is just like the diary that you might’ve kept as a child. You write whatever you want in it daily.
Pro tip: Dollar stores are filled with options you can use for this. From classic notebooks to hard-bound journals, there’s lots to choose from.
5. Prayer Journal
This is a particular type of journal where you essentially act like your diary or journal is your higher power. Write down your prayers instead of saying them. Write them down so you remember them and can look back on them.
Pro-tip: You can print or draw a picture of your chosen deity or deities to work with and place it in your journal to give it a bit of extra oomph.
6. Dream Journal
Some people really like tracking their dreams because they believe that dreams provide signs to help navigate waking life. If you want to track your dreams, you have to train yourself to write in your dream journal every morning while you still remember them. Write about the dream, and then research what it means and write about that too.
Pro tip: Keep this type of journal right next to your bed so that you can easily write down your dreams before you forget them.
7. Food Journal
Write down everything you eat every day. Some people like to include details like the calorie contents and so forth. Your goals for keeping the food journal will determine what details you’ll want to include. It can also help to write down why you eat it, how you feel about eating it, and things like that.
Pro tip: Keeping a food journal is a wonderful way to help you make better food choices. It brings awareness to what you’re eating, how much you’re eating and why you’re eating it. I usually keep a food journal for a week, then review it for patterns and opportunities to make some changes.
Want to eat a cleaner diet? Check out these posts:
Eat a Cleaner Diet to Reduce Chemicals in Your Food
Eat Clean: Simple Tips for Everyday
8. Travel Journal
A wonderful way to remember your travels is to keep a travel journal. Some people like making one for each trip so that it’s easier to remember. You can write your thoughts in your journal, but you can also attach tickets, pictures, and memories.
Pro tip: You can also do this with family history like first grade or holidays for example. Keeping mementos or memories in a single place.
9. Gratitude Journal
This is just what it sounds like. It’s a journal where you record each day what you’re thankful for and grateful for. Nothing can be negative in this journal because it’s designed to help you think more positively. Of the 10 types of journals you might try, I think this one is my most recommended journal.
Pro tip: This is a life-changing practice. When it’s the hardest to come up with things you’re grateful for is when you need it the most.
10. Project Journal
This is a handy journal to keep, especially for anyone who regularly works on projects. Keeping a journal of each project you work on that records actions taken, results, and data, will help you improve every project but will also help you look back on this one with excitement.
Pro tip: A type of project journal that you might enjoy is one I call a wish list. I keep a written wish list of things I want or want to do. These can be big or small. Like a new item for the house or a place I want to visit. It’s a simple list, no details. Then, as I achieve them, I go back and note next to the entry the date or something noteworthy about it. It can be uplifting to review this simple list and notice (and celebrate!) your successes.
Summary of 10 Types of Journals to Create
Keeping journals for different things is an effective way to journal for some folks but if you’re new to journaling, then just go with a single journal.
These 10 types of journals can inspire you to come up with even more ideas of the type of journal you might like to keep. You might combine 2 or more of these 10 types of journals into one or come up with an idea that is a customized blend suited to what you want to track in your life.
Schedule in your time to write in your journal. Make it a priority. Keep going. Once your practice develops, then you can begin to branch into the different types more easily.
The important part of keeping a journal is to enjoy the journey!
Need a few tips to create your journaling habit? Read this post for 8 tips you can use today:
8 Tips to Create a Journaling Habit
Blessed be.
You might like these:
Karen
