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Writing by hand aids memory retention, goal-setting, and enhances your creative process. While journaling is a common New Year's resolution, sticking with it requires finding the journal that suits your needs. Here are a few of my top recommendations for 2024, based on your journaling preferences.
Top Picks for Everyday Journals
While there are plenty of specialized journals available, sometimes you just want a dependable classic. Check out these choices:
A set of six compact notebooks ($33.29) offers a great way to stay organized throughout the year. Assign one book for every two months and commit to filling them as you go.
If you need a portable journaling option (perfect for busy lifestyles), consider these three spiral-bound notebooks from Zicoto ($17.99). The spiral binding ensures durability in your bag, while thick pages make writing easy on the move. Plus, they include a handy pocket for storing money, receipts, or special mementos.
Top Bullet Journals
Journals can serve various purposes. If you're inclined to write lengthy, emotional reflections, the basic notebooks above might be your go-to. However, for concise lists, goal tracking, or quick notes, a bullet journal might be a better fit. These journals are designed for efficient bulleted entries. Here are a few you should consider:
The original bullet journal ($29.99) offers grid-lined pages, a dot-grid design, calendar sections, special lettering spaces, and a sticker sheet related to dates—making it an ideal choice for beginners in the bullet journaling world.
For a no-frills approach, check out the Rettacy dotted bullet grid journal ($14.84 for two). It features dot grids instead of lines, perfect for organizing lists and quick notes. It also includes an index at the start, which functions like a table of contents to help you maintain better order throughout the journal.
Best Journals for Dream Recording
Writing down your dreams can be an entertaining way to explore your subconscious, or at the very least, to record the strange and surreal scenarios your mind conjures while you sleep. Keep a dedicated dream journal beside your bed to help capture these fleeting thoughts.
The Clever Fox Dream Journal ($19.99) is a fantastic tool for dream journaling, with built-in prompts to guide you. You can log the date of the dream, indicate if it was mundane, lucid, or recurring, track your sleep quality, and note the emotions you experienced upon waking. The journal also provides space to document key events, locations, the weather within the dream, your overall mood, and a spot for interpretation.
If you prefer something simpler, try the What the F*** Did I Dream Last Night Journal ($10.99). It’s a more laid-back option for beginners, offering just space for the date and a brief description of your dream, making it less intimidating for new dream journalers.
The top financial journals
Maybe you’ve set a goal to take control of your finances, create a budget, or just get more in tune with how money flows in and out of your life. A financial journal can help you start making those connections and tracking your progress.
The Clever Fox Budget Planner Pro ($29.99) is packed with features to help you take charge of your financial life. It offers sections for goal-setting, tracking monthly expenses, a calendar to mark key dates, and even helps you plan around special events like vacations. You’ll also find cash envelopes and stickers to help you physically track your money.
If you're looking for something budget-friendly, check out the Votorio Budget Planner ($9.95). It’s easy to use and comes with savings worksheets, quarterly goals, and pages for periodic reflections. You can also log bills, credit card payments, income, and investments on a weekly, biweekly, monthly, or yearly basis.
The top journals for tracking your goals are designed to help you stay organized and focused on achieving what you set out to do. Here are some highly recommended ones to consider.
If tracking your progress is a key motivator for your journaling practice, look for journals specifically built for that purpose. These journals come packed with features that guide you towards goal completion.
- The Brain/Shift Journal ($25.99) is a 13-week, undated planner and notebook that helps you identify your main goals and break them down into smaller, manageable steps. Every week, you’ll receive insights into behavior, and each day you'll be prompted to visualize your day and reflect on your growth. The journal encourages deep introspection by asking thoughtful questions to enhance your personal development.
The Goal Crazy planner ($34.90) is also undated, giving you the flexibility to start at any time. It provides a structured daily layout with morning prep and evening reflection sections that focus on your goals, gratitude, affirmations, accomplishments, and memorable moments.
Journaling is often associated with planning and goal-setting, but it's just as important to pause and appreciate the good moments. Gratitude journals allow you to reflect on the positive aspects of your day, helping you focus on what you have, rather than just what's next on your to-do list.
Balancing productivity with moments of gratitude is key to maintaining a healthy perspective. Gratitude journals are there to help you celebrate the positive moments in life, guiding you to embrace the good things happening alongside your hard work and aspirations.
If you're looking for a straightforward and accessible option, the Green Inspired Simply Grateful Journal ($12) is a great choice. Each day, it prompts you to jot down things you're thankful for, followed by an inspiring quote. It also includes prompts for listing things like the people you're grateful for in your life.
Another affordable option is the Gratitude Journal Notebook ($4.99). This budget-friendly journal offers great value with prompts that encourage you to reflect on what you're grateful for each day, track your accomplishments, and set self-care goals to stay focused on your personal growth.
The best grief journals
Many journals emphasize future planning, daily reflections, and personal growth, but when coping with a loss, it can be tough to do any of those things. These journals are designed to help guide you through your grieving process.
The How to Heal journal ($18.40) is a 52-week journal that gently guides you through your emotions, with weekly prompts asking you to reflect on your thoughts, successes, and struggles. Each page also includes a quote related to loss and grief.
For a deeper exploration, consider the 52-Week Grief Journal ($14.99), authored by a licensed marriage and family therapist. This journal delves into a new theme each week, helping you navigate complex emotions such as survivor’s guilt, regret, and emotional numbness. The thought-provoking prompts, written by a therapist, invite you to reflect on personal experiences and the way you learned to cope with loss during your upbringing.
