So, I realized I hadn't really talked about the types or physical forms that journals can take, based on their purpose.
For example, for simply writing about daily life, a notebook of any kind will be fine, even a plain spiral bound one. (I will say, though, that, these days, I am more likely to actually write in my journals when they are pretty or interesting looking.)
If you want your pages to hold up over time and not turn yellow, a high quality journal with acid free paper is nice to have. Also, if you'll be using markers or fountain pens, paper thickness is important. Less important, (but still important to me!), is paper color. Some journals have cream pages, some have white, some have ivory, and some even have black pages.
For example, for simply writing about daily life, a notebook of any kind will be fine, even a plain spiral bound one. (I will say, though, that, these days, I am more likely to actually write in my journals when they are pretty or interesting looking.)
If you want your pages to hold up over time and not turn yellow, a high quality journal with acid free paper is nice to have. Also, if you'll be using markers or fountain pens, paper thickness is important. Less important, (but still important to me!), is paper color. Some journals have cream pages, some have white, some have ivory, and some even have black pages.
So, I've done a little shopping for you, and here are some of the different journals that I can recommend, based on the type of journal you want to start.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I will earn a small commission if you purchase through them, at no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Daily Life, List books, or Bullet Journaling
If you prefer lined pages, this next journal is a solid choice. (The company also has versions with dot grid pages and blank pages.) The paper is a little less thick than the one above but still a nice weight. It has a lay flat design and comes in pretty colors. The lined pages are great for everyday memories, notes, lists, etc.
For a really elegant writing experience, this lovely leather journal would be a step above. More for keepsake journaling special memories, rather than bullet journaling or planning, this one would make a great gift too. The paper is thick and acid free. (The journal is real leather, so something to be aware of, if you have concerns about that.)
As I mentioned above, I've been using traveler's notebooks a lot for my daily journaling.This is my favorite one. It was a splurge, (although I got mine on clearance), but it's beautiful and functional.
When you buy a traveler's notebook, it's not the same as buying a journal full of pages - you are basically buying a cover and one notebook insert. I purchased additional inserts on Etsy. The inserts can also be purchased separately at Scrapbook.com, among other places, and here's another tip - The Moleskine Cahier size notebooks fits this size cover too, but the paper is thin (70gsm.)
For art journaling or photo journaling that you won't be doing every day, you might prefer blank pages with paper made for all kinds of media. I have this mixed media sketchbook for art journaling.

A mixed media sketchbook will handle a lot of different media, both wet and dry. This one has 40 pages, which is enough pages for me, as I don't art journal nearly as much as I write.
Here is a hardback version with 64 pages.
This next one made it a little hard to choose, but in the end, the pinks and greens coordinated with my other supplies better.
Of course, if you stroll through the discount stores, there are plenty of other pretty journals and planners. The quality may not be as high, but really, any notebook will do to keep your memories or plan your days.
And, if you need some ways to fill your blank journals and notebooks, I have some ideas here.
I hope you've enjoyed this little sampling, and I hope you will join me this year and commit to keeping a journal of some kind!
Linking to:
Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy
Inspire Me Monday at Mostly Blogging
Creative Mondays at Claire Justine
Over the Moon at Marilyn's Treats
Little Cottage Link Party at Love My Little Cottage
The Really Crafty Link Party at Keeping it Real
LouLou Girls
Tutorials and Tips at Homestories A to Z
Creative Muster at Fluster Buster
Tuesday Turn About at My Wee Abode
Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts
Your Whims Wednesday at My Girlish Whims
Artsy Fartsy Party at Artsy Fartsy Mama
Creatively Crafty Link Party at Try It Like It
Blogger's Pit Stop
Home Matters at Modern on Monticello
Friday Features at OMHG
Happiness is Homemade at Create with Cynthia
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
When you buy a traveler's notebook, it's not the same as buying a journal full of pages - you are basically buying a cover and one notebook insert. I purchased additional inserts on Etsy. The inserts can also be purchased separately at Scrapbook.com, among other places, and here's another tip - The Moleskine Cahier size notebooks fits this size cover too, but the paper is thin (70gsm.)
Art Journaling, Photo Journaling, or Sketch Journaling
A mixed media sketchbook will handle a lot of different media, both wet and dry. This one has 40 pages, which is enough pages for me, as I don't art journal nearly as much as I write.
Here is a hardback version with 64 pages.
Planning
For planning, I just bought an empty binder. It's purely functional, and I don't draw in it or decorate it. But it's still pretty throughout, because I printed off the free 2020 Planner pages, from Organized Dream, (no affiliation), and they are gorgeous. There are pages for Daily Planner, Blog and Business, Budget, Meal Planning, etc. And, did I mention they are free?? I use pocket dividers, that I bought separately, for the sections, and I just include some notebook paper for notes.
Here's the 1 inch binder I'm using. I got it at Office Depot/Office Max, (no affiliation.) As I'm sure you've noticed, I tend to like florals!
This next one made it a little hard to choose, but in the end, the pinks and greens coordinated with my other supplies better.
Of course, if you stroll through the discount stores, there are plenty of other pretty journals and planners. The quality may not be as high, but really, any notebook will do to keep your memories or plan your days.
And, if you need some ways to fill your blank journals and notebooks, I have some ideas here.
I hope you've enjoyed this little sampling, and I hope you will join me this year and commit to keeping a journal of some kind!
Linking to:
Inspire Me Monday at Create with Joy
Inspire Me Monday at Mostly Blogging
Creative Mondays at Claire Justine
Over the Moon at Marilyn's Treats
Little Cottage Link Party at Love My Little Cottage
The Really Crafty Link Party at Keeping it Real
LouLou Girls
Tutorials and Tips at Homestories A to Z
Creative Muster at Fluster Buster
Tuesday Turn About at My Wee Abode
Wow Me Wednesday at Gingersnap Crafts
Your Whims Wednesday at My Girlish Whims
Artsy Fartsy Party at Artsy Fartsy Mama
Creatively Crafty Link Party at Try It Like It
Blogger's Pit Stop
Home Matters at Modern on Monticello
Friday Features at OMHG
Happiness is Homemade at Create with Cynthia
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
I love gorgeous journals. And I still don't really know what a bullet journal is. I can sort of get it, but I can't explain it well to others.
ReplyDeleteHave you read Love Lettering from Kate Clayborn? I think you'd like it!
I'm the same way about bullet journaling -- To me it's more of a pretty planner! But I love the way journaling terms morph over time and so more people get interested in journaling! I haven't read that book, but now I want to!
DeleteI love a good journal, and just reading about journals makes my heart happy!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way, Michele!
DeleteThank you for this! I always start the year intent on getting better at journaling and then somehow never take that last step. After reading this, I want to give it a try again.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned.
I do the same thing every year, Teresa. I decided that this year I would really do it! Thanks so much for pinning.
DeleteWhen I saw your post on the link party, my eyes got wide and I grinned. JOURNALS! :D I just love my journals, notebooks, and all things paper, pen, and marker. I just started using a dot grid journal for my lists. (While I love the artistic talent some use in their Bullet Journals, I don't have that and haven't been great at keeping at using one.) I have been better at using the dot grid for lists than in previous attempts. I think it's due to a book I read as well as a couple of blog posts on how to be productive with notebooks and lists. I'm a writer and this journal is helping me get things organized. (It's not perfect yet, nor do I expect it to be so. I am seeing what works for me with this current journal. When I need a new one, I'll have a better idea of what I will/won't use it for.) I've bookmarked this so I can revisit when I'm in need of a new journal (or three). Adrienne from Gluten Free Preppers and a member of the Blogger's Pit Stop Crew
ReplyDeleteAh, I love meeting kindred spirits! Journals, notebooks, and all things paper, pen, and marker--oh yes! Thanks for visiting and commenting! (P.S. I have celiac, so I'm excited to find your blog.)
DeleteI love journals! Especially anything that is extra big and has flowers on the cover! I will always be a paper and pen gal!
ReplyDeleteI will always be a paper and pen gal,too, Kim -- and oh, yes, I almost always choose florals!
DeleteA very interesting article with a lot of information. Very well write up :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Khadija!
Delete