In my apartment, I keep almost every journal I’ve ever written, from first grade on. I’m not an obsessive journaler; actually, I’m consistently inconsistent about the frequency with which I write. But I’ve always maintained a notebook in some way, especially as I’ve grown older, and in 2019 I finally committed to a serious journaling practice. It is largely this reflective writing that kept me somewhat grounded amid the chaos that was 2020—and will hopefully continue to do so in 2021. I highly encourage you to consider starting a journaling practice this new year too, however big or small, as a reminder that each day was a whole, entire day that you lived, breathed, felt, grew, grieved, laughed, and loved, often in great emotional waves.
Of course, I totally understand that journaling can seem time-consuming, overwhelming, or like one of those things you always mean to do but never get to, like therapy or meditation. I felt that way for a long time too, because I hadn’t figured out the kind of journaler I was. Looking at my notebooks from my teens and 20s, there’s a progression from lined pink diaries that I used sporadically to small black unlined Moleskines, to even tinier, expensive, delicately papered ledgers that I ultimately never wrote in, since everything I wanted to write seemed too mundane (“Went to Trader Joe’s. Bought mochi. Went home”) or childish (“Does everyone hate me?!”) for its fancy pages.
At 28, after a diagnosis of stress-induced epilepsy, I experimented with different types of journals as a way of managing my anxiety and also to help improve my memory, which has grown spotty with the anti-epileptic medications I take (and with age). At 30, I landed on my magic combo: I now keep two journals.
The first is a page-a-day Moleskine planner in which I quickly note everything that transpired on that date, including the “boring” stuff. I also note my mood (on a fluctuating, subjective scale of 1 to 10 for anxiety), things I’m grateful for (a rare night of good sleep, my cat’s purr, a memorable meal, a new dress), and the weather.
My second journal is a larger, 9″ x 12″ Strathmore “visual journal.” It’s unlined, with thick paper that’s substantial enough that my markers and inks don’t bleed. In these pages I let myself really breathe. I doodle, paint, get mad, and write mad things in big, mad letters. I scribble down quotes, story ideas, lists, jokes, complaints, letters to myself, purposefully disregarding formal structure. This is my “feelings” journal. It’s less of a record and more of an imperfect unpacking of the chatter inside my head.
I like looking back at my journals periodically to see how much has changed, what the headlines were, how I was feeling. Certain themes and behaviors pop out over time, certain moments, conversations, exchanges with strangers on the street, that I’d forgotten and am thankful I saved for later reading. Even flipping back to January of last year, so much has changed (clearly), and carving time for reflection feels so important.
New journalers, try not to let a fear of writing or fatigue deter you. Your journal is a safe space, and it can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Perhaps you just list bluntly what you did that day or draw an emoji. Perhaps you let yourself lose it over how uncertain the world is. Or maybe you start a novel.
Below, I share notebook options for those who want to begin a practice for 2021 or refresh their old notebook. Consider whether you want lines or no lines, whether you’ll be writing inside or on the go, or whether you prefer something large or portable. It’s up to you, but the important thing is, no matter whether it’s this month or next: Just start.
All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Papier1 Papier Minimal Photo Strip Notebook
This pretty, personalizable page-turner features a three-photo strip of your choice. In a year like this, maybe pictures of travels past or faces you miss most (or meals) is the inspiration you need to dive into writing. This makes for a lovely gift to yourself or to a loved one who will appreciate the thoughtful gesture. For the finicky among us, you can even decide whether this is a soft or hardcover notebook, as well as whether it comes with plain, lined, or dotted pages.
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Paper Source2 Paper Source Donuts Custom Journal
Hopefully you (brace yourself) donut get too hungry looking at at this confection-covered notebook. You can stamp your name on the colorful cover to make it yours, and the journal is also handily spiral-bound, so that the pages will always lie flat. It’s up to you whether those pages are plain, glazed (sorry, lined), or dedicated to dates.
$20 at Paper Source
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Amazon3 Let That Sh*t Go: A Journal for Leaving Your Bullsh*t Behind and Creating a Happy Life
If you need a journal that gets real with you like your best friend would without being wishy-washy, this notebook suffers no fools. Instead of intimidating, empty pages, Let That Sh*t Go varies its personable prompts, asking you to list out “Positive Procrastination” to-dos, as well as things that have got on your nerves recently (and belly-laugh moments, too).
$9 at Amazon
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Society64 Society6 Amber Dusk Notebook
Designed as an open platform for artists looking to showcase their work, everything on sale at Society6, from home décor to journals, features designs by creatives from around the world. This gorgeous, wraparound landscape was created by husband-and-wife team SpaceFrog Designs. All notebooks are printed on sturdy 70-lb paper, so your scribblings won’t bleed, and the cover is made of soft, anti-scuff laminate. You can customize whether the notebook is lined or unlined and if you want one or a set of three, it’s up to you.
$15 at Society6
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Amazon5 Michelle Obama’s Becoming: A Guided Journal for Discovering Your Voice
For fans of Michelle Obama’s memoir Becoming, this inspirational journal is for you. Inside, you’ll find morale-boosting quotes from the former first lady, as well as more than 150 reflective prompts tied to the stories in her book, such as: “List three people who contribute to your circle of strength” and “Write about a specific experience when someone dislodged a dream of yours… How did you try to overcome that obstacle?” It’s like a little therapy session but far cheaper.
$20$10 at Amazon
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Amazon6 Moleskine Classic
I’ve used Moleskines for over 15 years as my trusty, go-to journals. This is its classic notebook, which is high-quality for the price and a nice size (small enough to transport but not glaringly large). The paper doesn’t bleed, and you can choose whether you want lines, no lines, ruled, dotted, etc. The Classic also has a pocket in the back, which is handy for storing mementos.
$20 at Amazon
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Amazon7 Strathmore Visual Bristol Journal Mixed Media
A friend sent me this visual journal for my birthday last year, and I immediately loved the idea of it. I use the 9″ x12″ and find its large, unlined pages freeing for scrawling all-caps rants and mantras. The paper is designed for mixed media, so I paint with watercolor in here as well, in between entries. I’ve gone through almost three of these in a little over a year.
$13 at Amazon
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Amazon8 Panda Planner Pro
For the productive, project-oriented journalers, meet the Panda Planner Pro, which helps you home in on monthly focus/exercise goals (whether they’re physical or mental is up to you), daily habits you wish to take on, and that leaves space for reflection on your progress meeting those goals. Unlike most planners, the dates are not prefilled, so no page is wasted. Each planner lasts for six to nine months.
$31 at Amazon
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Fringe Studio9 Fringe Assorted Slim Mini Journals (Two-Pack)
These pretty journals are small, ideal for sliding into a tote when you’re out, but bright enough that you’ll never lose them.
$10 at Fringe Studio
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Amazon10 Intelligent Change The Five-Minute Journal
If the idea of devoting chunks of your day to journaling makes your stomach churn, here’s a more approachable option. This slender hardcover journal has short, guided gratitude prompts meant to leave you feeling more positive and that don’t require unloading all of your feelings (not that I’m judging).
Editor’s Note: This journal will be in stock on January 14.
$29 at Amazon
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Day One11 Day One App (Premium)
If you’re on the go and appreciate the idea of cataloguing your life into a digital archive, this app offers a modern approach to journaling. Its clean design allows you to capture memories and stray thoughts in your phone via typing, handwriting, drawing, photo, video, voice memo, and social. You can even dictate into the app for transcription. Day One Premium automatically backs up and offers end-to-end encryption and passcodes for privacy. There’s a free version, but if you want the bells and whistles, at $3 per month, you’re essentially paying the same price over the course of a year that you would for a nice-quality paper journal and get a wide range of features.
$3 at Day One
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Denik12 Denik Threadless Lay Flat Notebook
This beautiful sewn notebook serves as a motivational reminder to be kind to yourself and others in tough times—that kindness is a strength. Maybe kindness means forgiving yourself for not writing every day, or perhaps praising yourself for writing even one sentence. The journal handily lies flat, and you can customize the style of inside paging to your preference.
$10 at Denik
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Rifle Paper Co.13 Rifle Paper Co. Memoir Journal
This lovely linen notebook is foil-stamped and subtly lined with neon pink for neat writers. It lies flat and has vellum pages, which is the type of substantial paper you find in stationery and greeting cards.
$15$10 at Rifle Paper Co. -
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Amazon14 Moonster Leather Journal
If you’re craving an artisanal option that’s reminiscent of ships and sonnets, look no further than this romantic hand-stitched journal bound in water buffalo leather, with an antique strap. Its heavy, creamy paper is made of acid-free, recycled cotton and practically begs you to scrawl your revelations in its pages (with a quill or fountain pen, natch).
$22 at Amazon
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Amazon15 Leuchtturm 1917 Medium A5
For more serious bullet journalers, the hardcover Leuchtturm is a cult favorite, lays flat, and has a gusseted pocket and elastic closure band. It helpfully includes page numbers, a blank table of contents for organization, as well as sticky archival labels, and comes in a wide range of punchy colors.
$28 at Amazon
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Amazon16 Incredible Journals Daily Positivity Journal
If you want a journal that structures and inspires you, this highly rated, faux-leather journal includes motivational quotes and creates space for gratitude, sleep tracking, positive habit tracking, affirmations, monthly reflections, and more.
$22 at Amazon
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Amazon17 Poluma Dotted Grid Journal Notebook
For beginner bullet journalers, this robin’s egg blue, gridded diary is an inexpensive option that won’t make you feel like “Why did I spend $50 on a journal I might not use?” Reviewers rave especially about the durability of the paper, if you’re inclined to doodle with inky pens.
$10 at Amazon
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Urban Outfitters18 Insight Editions Self-Care: A Day & Night Reflection Journal
This 90-day journal provides a space for recording daily goings-on with your mental health in mind. It dives into your mood, how your body felt, what you ate and drank, stressors you faced, and explores kindnesses you bestowed upon yourself. If you particularly struggle with finding time for self-care, consider writing in this journal one of those acts.
$17 at Urban Outfitters
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Etsy19 YellowPaperHouse Junque Journal
For artists and doodlers, here’s a splashy, colorful sketchbook, in which every page is different for a variety of media (mixed media, watercolor, card stock, and more). Its spiral makes it easy to flip between pages and would be great for scrapbooking. Plus, this top-selling journal has the option of including six different pens, so you can practice your penmanship and brush strokes.
$31 at Etsy
