10 Different Types of Journals and their Uses

1. Blank or Bullet Journal
Overview:

Blank or bullet journals are the “tabula rasa” (blank canvas) of journals. Versatile and customizable, it lets you design your journaling experience exactly how you want it. These books typically have either dotted, grid, or blank (white, cream or black) pages that allow for freeform writing, drawing, and planning. 

Personality of the journaler:

This journaler knows exactly what they like, is creative and yet disciplined, and come what may, they dedicate time to their hobby. This bestie is the one who routinely hears compliments on their art. They are the one who you can generally find doodling on a page when they’re on the phone, their grocery lists are planned…vs scribbled last minute in the car, and they are enjoy DIY projects.

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Creative Freedom: This is the best journal for the don’t-tell-me-what-to-do besties who enjoy doing doodles, and designs as they journal. They do not want to be constrained by one type of format and would like to customize the pages based on what they feel like journaling that day. This journal gives you that type of flexibility.

Customized Planning: Perfect for setting up personalized planning systems, to-do lists, habit trackers, and goal-setting pages….you can incorporate art, charts, and diagrams, or change layouts according to your needs. If you prefer a fully customizable approach to organizing your life, bullet journals can be the perfect option.

Pros:

Personalization: Allows you to create layouts and formats that suit your style and preferences.
Flexibility: Adaptable for various uses, from daily planning to creative expression.

Cons:

This type of journal is really geared to the experienced journaler. Not that beginners cannot use it, but it can easily get overwhelming.

It also takes time to set up each page layout – if time is at a premium in your life, there is no quick workaround to this ( you can’t copy paste a layout to another page). 

This type of journal can require several tools (layout templates, markers, paints, stickers, ephemera, washi tape etc). Most people who use this type of a journal do enjoy this process and use these tools. They are obviously not required, but when customization becomes an option, there are SO many tools down that rabbit hole. 

2. Junk Journal

Overview:

Junk journals are ALSO a blank canvas of journals, but what makes them different from Blank / Bullet Journals is the intent, style of journaling and the personality of the person journaling. These books have blank pages – usually white or cream that gives a no structure approach to creative expression. 

Personality of the journaler:

The personality of this type of journaler is free, fun loving, memory collector. This is the person in your life who probably already has a few scrapbooks, and a memory box full of items from key moments in their life (movie ticket stubs from first date, polaroid pics from a girls trip, recipe torn from an old Reader’s Digest mag etc.). You will often find them walking the isles of Michael’s. So what makes them different from scrapbookers? Well…they love scrapbooking SO much that they basically make a mini scrap-page for each day in their life. They were the kids who loved arts and crafts and brought home SO much art, you were stuck trying to find a way to digitize it all. 

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A visual Biography: This is basically the way for people who want to build their biography with visual memories. No words necessary, anyone can understand your life and who you were if they saw this – even a child. When you look back at these books years later, the feel of those napkins from your favourite diner, the pic of you with your friends with the wind in your hair will all immediately bring you back to re-experience those much loved moments. Talk about a Dopamine hit – this could very well make the list.

An arts & crafts hobby: This is truly for those besties who want to continue doing arts & crafts in their adulthood. Because let’s face it – there is no age limit to play – that is the beauty of hobbies! Plus as humans we’re born to create – this hobby gives an outlet to that inner force everyday.

Pros:

Personalization: World is your oyester. You build up or deconstruct each day and tell your story in the way that best expresses how you feel.

Cons:

This type of journaling only works well if the person you are gifting this to is a natural collector. Meaning, they are the ones who will pocket a business card when they walk into a shop they love, will be caught taking pictures of everything, will routinely rip out items from newspapers or magazines etc. If their instinct isn’t to collect, it will be hard to get going with this type fo journal because you won’t have any personal material to use.

This type of journaling also takes time, some materials and can get messy (glue, glitter, fabric etc.). Does this person have space and time for this type of journaling?

3. Gratitude Journal

Overview:

This kind of journal has gotten a lot of hype over the past few years. Why? Because it’s scientifically proven that gratefulness has a profound positive effect on our lives. And if you bake this habit of gratefulness into your daily routine, it can do wonders to shift your mental perspective. A gratitude journal is specifically designed to help you focus on and appreciate the positive aspects of your life. It typically includes prompts or sections dedicated to writing about what you’re grateful for each day.

Personality of the journaler:

There are 2 types of people I want to discuss here: one who naturally gravitates towards this type of journaling, and another one who can benefit from this type of journaling. The first person is generally one of 2 personality types: the naturally positive person who appreciates what they have in their life and is the one who brings sunshine into a room when they walk in. The second personality type is one who could benefit from shifting their perspective in life towards a more positive one. They might be going through a tough time in life / work / relationship wise, or they generally default to seeing the bad rather than the good. This type of journal helps them help themselves to slowly but surely shift how they see their life and the world around them.

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Stress Reduction: Ideal for managing stress and improving overall well-being. Regularly noting what you’re grateful for can enhance your mood and reduce anxiety. 

Pros:

Positive Mindset: Helps foster a sense of gratitude and contentment and the feeling that life is good to you and that things are happening FOR you rather than TO you.
Emotional Well-Being: Encourages mindfulness and can improve mental health by focusing on positive aspects of life.

Cons:

This journaling habit, is like any other journaling habit – it requires the person journaling to take the initiative to write in the book daily. No one can force this habit nor be behind them to journal. If they can do it, or even set up their environment / schedule to do so (see this article to see how they can do this), it will make this type of journaling the best decision they will ever make in their lives.

4. Dream Journal

Overview:

A dream journal is used to record and analyze your dreams. Oh the things that come through our subconscious when we sleep! It often includes space for detailing the dream narrative, emotions related to the dream, and any symbols or themes that appear to discover patterns.

Personality of the journaler:

The besties who gravitate to this type of journaling are one of two types of friends. The first who loves Tarot reading, drags you to the fortune teller reading tea leaves at the County fair, and who who you grew up playing the Ouija board with. Or the other friend who is all about personal development and healing from generational trauma. This type of a journal satisfies both needs depending on the intent and use of the information the journaler collects.

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To Explore Your Subconscious: If you’re interested in understanding the deeper meaning behind your dreams or exploring your subconscious mind, a dream journal is where is all starts.
Gain Personal Insight: Ideal for those who want to understand themselves and their inner thoughts and feelings better through the stories / patterns revealed in their dreams.

Pros:

Self-Discovery: Provides a way to analyze and interpret your dreams, leading to greater self-awareness.
Creative Inspiration: Dreams can sometimes spark creativity and problem-solving ideas.

Cons:

You have to remember your dreams. This one’s tough because not everyone remembers their dreams when they wake up. Or they get woken up in the middle of the night 

5. Self-Care Journal

Overview:
Talk about an industry that has BLOWN UP in the past several years. Self care started off as fluffy girlie things — think bubble baths and candles, and as the industry has matured, it has morphed into including all areas of life that cause stress (finances, physical health, interpersonal relationship dynamics etc.) A self-care journal focuses on practices and routines that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It often includes sections for tracking self-care activities, setting wellness goals, and reflecting on your self-care journey.

Personality of the journaler:

If you use this type of journal, you are the type of person who takes their wellbeing seriously OR who wants to start down the path of living a more balanced life. They are the people who read self help books, take care to disconnect from work at 5pm, they take their mental health walks and try to avoid impulse shopping (whether its online or at the grocery store). It’s also great for the person who has stepped into their self awareness era and has realized that if they don’t make a change now, they are going to find themselves in 5 years with serious medical conditions, alone and depressed, or unable to retire. They are courageous and willing to peel off the layers of the areas of their life that have been collecting dust from neglect.

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Enhancing Well-Being: Perfect for women who want to prioritize self-care and ensure they’re taking time for themselves amidst busy schedules.
Tracking Progress: Useful for tracking self-care habits and setting wellness goals. If you’re looking to improve your overall health and happiness, this journal can guide your journey.

Pros:

Holistic Health: Encourages a balanced approach to self-care, including physical, emotional, and mental aspects.

Accountability: Helps you stay committed to your self-care routine and reflect on your progress.

Cons:

This type of journaling takes courage because we sometimes try and “protect” ourselves from the harsh truth by avoiding it. Courageous girlies face the ugly head on and do something about it. While not a real con (more like a word of caution), just make sure the person who you’re giving this journal to has that courage and / or has the support to face this incredibly revealing journey.

6. Travel Journal

Overview:
Aaahhhh the travel journal. The ubiquitous journal for the perpetual wanderer. This journal is designed to document your travel experiences, including places visited, activities done, and personal reflections. It often includes space for writing, drawing, and pasting mementos like tickets or postcards. What makes if different from a junk journal? Well the pages are not blank – there are sections that guide you to record certain items (ex: dates of trip, mode of transportation, activities completed, hotel and rating etc.)

Personality of the journaler:

Your travel journaler is best described as someone who enjoys experiences over stuff. They are the first to say YES to going out, can be spontaneous and might have a bit of FOMO. They are aware of the vastness of the world and they want to explore. Very open minded and eager to learn and experience new things, they are the ones who tell you about the latest courses in the neighbourhood, and are the ones who make friends easily when they’re out socializing. Can also be the person who has taken a Gap year to find themselves.

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Documenting Adventures: Ideal for capturing the details and memories of your travels. If you enjoy documenting your journeys and reflecting on your experiences, a travel journal is perfect.
Planning and Reflection: Useful for planning future trips, recording travel goals, and reflecting on past adventures.

Pros:

Memory Preservation: Keeps a detailed record of your travel experiences and adventures.
Creative Keepsake: Offers a creative way to preserve memories through writing, drawings, and collected mementos.

Cons:

So let’s be honest, traveling is an expensive hobby. Not only in dollars, but also in time. So this journal is best for someone who has both and / or prioritizes both. Most people when they think about traveling immediately think of a trip to the cobblestone streets of Europe, this journal can also be good for someone who may not want to travel the world but perhaps travels to local national parks or even thrift stores. Travel today has a very broad definition.

7. Reading Journal

Overview:

This one is for all the BookTok girlies. The journal that gives you space to record all your reading experiences, favourite scenes, rate the books you read and keep a list of what to read next. It often includes prompts or sections to capture your thoughts, reflections, and reactions to the material, making it a more immersive reading experience.

Personality of the Journaler:

You know the person in your life who always has their nose in a book? The avid reader? The one who reads while they are eating, enjoys the company of fictional characters more than real people, and who can spend hours in the library or bookshop? This is the person who this type of journal is made for.

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Immersive Reading Experience: great for those who want to remember details, connect with themes, and delve deeper into the material. If you enjoy reflecting on books or applying ideas from reading to your life, a reading journal is a great choice.

Thought Organization: Useful for readers who want a structured way to organize insights, thoughts, and questions that arise while reading. 

Pros:

Self-Reflection: Encourages thinking about how reading impacts your perspectives and beliefs.

Creativity: Allows for artistic expression, as you can draw, highlight, all the elements that you loved from the books you have read.

Cons:

Total bias at play here since I am an avid reader, but I see no cons.

8. Gardening Journal

Overview:

A gardening journal is your serious grower’s toolkit. You can document your gardening journey, track growth, and plan for future seasons, track the success of your cross breeding tests and if you take it a step further, can write down recipes (medicinal or otherwise) to use your harvest in. It often includes prompts and sections to record plant information, seasonal changes, and successes or challenges — overall it helps you to refine your gardening skills over time. If you’re planning to grow enough produce to feed your family, want to grow prized roses, or just have a dream to build an English garden, this is the journal for you. 

Personality of the Journaler:

This is the person in your life who is always tinkering in the shed. Mixing the perfect soil composition with the correct amount of humidity, taking care of their tools, and has a huge sun hat tucked somewhere in between the piles of old pots and seed packets. If they live in the country or suburbs, they have an actual garden where they happily putter around, and if they live in the city they are a plant mom / dad. They are planners, pay attention to details and by nature love to experiment.

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Growth Tracking: Perfect for gardeners who want to observe and record the development of their plants. If you’re passionate about plants and want to improve your gardening skills, this journal is a valuable resource.

Seasonal Planning: Useful for tracking seasonal patterns, identifying what works in your garden, and planning future projects.

Pros:

Detailed Record-Keeping: Enables you to capture everything from plant health to soil conditions, helping you monitor progress and make informed changes.

Insightful Reflection: Provides a record of what you’ve learned each season, helping you build knowledge year by year.

Improved Garden Management: Assists in organizing planting schedules, soil preferences, and watering needs for each plant.

Problem-Solving: Encourages problem-solving by documenting challenges, allowing you to adjust methods for better results.

Cons:

Obvious but worth mentioning: you actually need to garden to really get the most out of this journal. So if you love gardening it’s good, but you really need to be a gardener who’s intent on honing their craft. Not all gardeners are in this league.

9. Productivity Journal

Overview:

A productivity journal is that all encompassing planner that makes sure you get the most out of your day and don’t get lost in the never-ending To-Do list that governs our lives. Basically it helps you focus on organizing tasks, setting goals, enhancing efficiency and tracking progress. It typically includes sections for daily to-do lists, goal-setting, and time management, helping you stay focused and maximize efficiency.

Personality of the journaler:

This is for your Type A go-getter, busy mom, college student who works part-time to afford tuition, or the colleague who you know has a 5-9 side hustle after their 9-5. They are extremely organized or have the desire to be. This is for the person who has a lot of responsibilities or people relying on them.

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Goal Tracking: Ideal for those who want to set clear goals, break them down, and track accomplishments over time. If you’re focused on getting more done in less time, a productivity journal is a great asset.

Time Management: Useful for individuals looking to optimize daily routines, balance priorities, and reduce procrastination.

Pros:

Enhanced Focus: Helps prioritize tasks and keep track of daily, weekly, and monthly goals.

Accountability: Encourages self-discipline by holding you accountable to your plans and deadlines.

Clarity and Direction: Provides a clear roadmap, making it easier to stay on track and avoid feeling overwhelmed. Big thing really when you consider how many distractions we’re surrounded by on a day-to-day basis.

Cons:

Consistency Required: Regular use is necessary for tracking progress effectively, which may feel demanding at times, but half of productivity is discipline. 

May Feel Restrictive: Following set plans and structures can feel limiting for those who prefer more spontaneity in their day-to-day. So think about the personality of the journaler!

10. Goal-Setting Journal

Overview:

A goal-setting journal is designed to help you set, organize, and track goals, whether short-term or long-term. It often includes prompts and sections for defining objectives, breaking down action steps, and reflecting on progress, supporting you in turning your dreams into actionable plans. So wait, what makes this different from a productivity planner? Glad you asked. The main difference is that a productivity planner focuses on making sure you get all parts of your life planned and actioned. The goal-setting journal is focused on hyper-maximizing goal achievement for a project that you have.

Personality of the journaler:

Again two different personality types to think of. The first: think of the person who is driven. You innately know they are going after their dreams and are going to be someone someday. They are the ones who don’t have FOMO, they will politely decline social invites to focus on their projects, they have space in their homes dedicated to their goals, and who have either found their WHY or have a deep desire to make something of themselves. The second is the person who is searching for that passion within themselves, they want to make it big, they have ideas and need a way to keep them accountable — this journal will be the start of their journey into success. 

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Clarity: Perfect for individuals who have clear ambitions or wish to clarify their life direction. If you’re motivated by achieving specific outcomes, a goal-setting journal is a powerful tool.

Structured Planning: Perfect for those who want a structured approach to setting and reaching goals. If you have specific objectives and want to stay focused, a goal-setting journal can help you create a clear path to success. Let’s you break down big goals into manageable steps.

Motivation and Accountability: Encourages self-discipline by allowing you to track milestones and see how far you’ve come.

Pros:

Focused Progress: Provides a clear framework for setting and achieving goals and helps you maintain focus on priorities and avoid distractions by clearly outlining what you aim to achieve.

Reflection and Adaptability: Provides space for reflecting on successes and setbacks, enabling you to adjust strategies as needed.

Cons:

Commitment Required: Regular use is necessary to stay on track, which may feel demanding for some people if they are not yet on their discipline game.

May Be Overwhelming: Tracking multiple goals at once can feel daunting if you’re not well-organized or prioritized or have the desire to be.

So there you have it – the 10 most popular types of journals. Choosing the right one for you depends on your personal needs, goals, and preferences. Whether you’re seeking self-discovery, stress relief, creative expression, productivity, hobbies etc. there’s a journal tailored to your unique requirements.