More than Words: Exploring the Different Types of Journals for Self-Discovery and Growth

One of the questions I get asked is what type of journal is the best to use. Now for anyone who does already keep a journal this is like someone asking how long is a piece of string. However I have been able to break it down in order to help out anyone who doesn't know quite where to begin. 

If you want to keep a journal, it's important to decide on what you want to get out of your journalling experience. Here is a list I put together to help you decide on what type of journal would be best to get you started.

BULLET JOURNAL

I'm going straight in with the Goliath of the journalling world which is the bullet journal. This method of journaling came about a few years back, and and if you are really keen to know about it's origins then head over here to read more about it.

When I discovered bullet journaling I fell in love almost instantly. It's part planner, part diary and then some, really coming into its own as a way to successfully track and organise tasks, appointments and track that which is important to you day to day. 

Affectionately known now as a Bujo, it can seem a bit daunting to get to grips with this system and the onslaught of TikTok and YouTube videos make it seem like this is the domain of the more talented artists out there. However this simply is not the case. I have a background in art and design and my Bujo is no masterpiece of creative design. In fact it is the minimal nature and clutter free structures that work for my type of brain. 

This is a great option for anyone who is looking to get organised.

Recommended journal: The Buke Dot Grid Journal

REFLECTIVE

I don't really have an official category for this type of journaling but typically this is the type of writing I would expect to find in a smart leather-bound journal. I call it reflective journaling as this involves a type of writing used to keep a track of events and a way to take thoughts, feelings, dreams and emotions and transcribe them onto the page. 

I've kept a few reflective journals and I'm more likely to keep them when they are in a leather journal. These journals also make me consider more what I'm about to write, and consider the reason and the thought behind the diary entry. It's wonderful going back and reading old journals like this, as it often can show growth, or stark contrast in how life is now. 

Recommended journal: Blue Mandala Leather Journal

PLANNER

Your first exposure to a planner was probably in school with the classic homework planner. Before discovering the bullet journal, a classic planner was my go to for organising and planning my time.

It's a good starting point for anyone who is not used to journalling as it provides a standard structure of days, note pages and depending on the make, there can be various additional pages with helpful information.

Recommended journal: 365 Days Life Planner

Hopefully this helps you get started with your journal. Please feel free to browse the website for more journal inspiration.