What Type of Journal is for Me?
#1. The Reflective Journal
Reflective journaling is a powerful tool for gaining insight and understanding. A reflection journal/diary is a place where you can record your thoughts, feelings, and observations, and reflect on your experiences.
Self-reflection journaling can help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world, and can be an invaluable tool for personal growth and self-improvement.
If your someone who is interested learning more about yourself , than this is the journal for you! A reflective journal can make us more aware of:
- Our thought patterns and habit loops
- Your state of mind or mental health
- What we value , our spirit and current identity
So in short , reflective diaries and journals are very self-development orientated. For context it can also be used as a a tool for Therapy , learning and or for people who are a student of something.
🡺Mediators who want to grow in mindfulness – Begin your Journey
#2. The Creative Journal
A journal for creativity can take many forms, from a traditional notebook to a digital journal or even a collage journal. You can use your journal to sketch, paint, write poetry or stories, or simply jot down your thoughts and observations. The key is to use it as a tool for self-expression, without worrying about whether what you create is “good” or “bad.”
🡺 Creative writers , artists and those who want to grow their canvas – Express Yourself :
#3. The Bullet Journal
The much more organised and goal-orientated way to journal. This type of journaling is mainly directed at the 3 P’s , personal growth , productivity and practice. If any of these interest you , a bullet journal is for you!
YT Channel Credits: @bulletjournal
🡺 Getting sh$t done requires calculation – take control with a bullet journal .
#4. The 6 in 1 Method
“Stop looking for the Answers , Start listening to them” – Clark Kegley
A combination of all the above – with an emphasis on personalisation and reinvention. Clark Kegley created a template-like journal structure which anyone can use to journal
.Its purpose is based on keeping track of you and “your 2.0”.So in short , its a transformative version of a reflection diary or Journal.
The Structure of this Journal template :
The Front 2 pages
- Your front 2 pages should be your mission and 1% lessons or quotes
- 32,350 that’s how much days you have from 0-90 years old – do your age x 365 minus 32, 350
- This is based on the stoic concept Memento Mori ; “Remember that [one day you have to] die”.
- While morbid , it is remembering ones mortality that allows for much more gratitude in journaling and in life
- Thus allowing for less procrasination and more focus on the things we value or want to impact in the limited time we have
Your Back 2 Pages
This is where you write your goals and divide them into 3 sections , work , rest , and play
- work (the hustle – output based) ,
- rest (recharge , health goals – input based),
- play (trips , any material things here)
The Middle of your Journal (6-sections)
Take about 20 pages and put in 6 sections that mean something to you. This can be easier said then done so I recommend getting some paper and start brainstorming. The method I used to fill this out and what I recommend you do is a Ikigai Diagram . So feel free to press the link and fill it out if your struggling.
To give you more of a idea your 6 sections could be
- Finding a Career I love
- Student
- Business
- Book Notes
- Character building
- Helping Others
🡺For willing to reinvent their Identity , their Habits , their story – this is for you
How to Start Journaling
FAQ’s and Common Mistakes
Where do I Start?
What do I need to Prepare?
Journaling on Paper Vs Digital which is better?
How do I Write my 1st Entry?
What are the benefits of Journaling ?
Q.) Where do I start?
Tips for beginners to get started:
Start small, with just a few minutes of journaling per day, and build up from there. Experiment with different types of journaling and discover what works best . Don’t worry about making your journal pages perfect – the goal is to capture your thoughts and feelings. Mix and match the different types of journaling into your own personal style if that helps.
Q.) How Prepared Am I ?
Items for a beginner’s journal is simpler than you think:
A notebook, pen or pencil, – that’s it. When starting out your main focus should be to get your thoughts onto paper.
Any additional supplies you prefer, such as stickers or washi tape are helpful and can make the experience for fun for some . But if the time to get and stick them intimidates you – don’t worry! They are not a necessity but rather a incentive to personalise your journal.
The amount of choice , from the many types of journaling can be overwhelming, but the best thing to do is just Begin.
Q.) Should I Journal on on Paper vs Computer
Personally , I recommend not being to strict to yourself , its not worth the energy , beating yourself over something so simple. What I do is use the “Notes” app on my iPhone to jot down something for convivence or for a thought I know I’ll forget.
This could be anything from shower thought , to just waking up or random idea on the bus. Eventually when I review it , if its a good enough idea , I’ll even schedule to do it in my Journal or write it down on the front page.
The Journal I use is just a simple , black one from Amazon – if you interested you can also check out the link and buy it yourself.
Remember , journaling revolves around acting when you feel inspired – don’t treat it like a 9 to 5. But with this in mind here are some additional considerations.
- Pros and cons of each: Paper journaling offers a tangible and personal connection with your thoughts and memories, while computer journaling offers the convenience of being easily accessible and searchable.
- Tips for those who prefer journaling on a computer: Consider using a journaling app, set reminders to journal regularly, and personalize the interface to suit your preferences.
Q.) How do I Write the 1st page of My Journal?
- What should be on the first page of your journal? Consider including an introduction, your goals for the journal, or a quote that inspires you.
- How to make the most of your journal’s first page: Use it to set the tone for your journaling journey and reflect on what you want to get out of it.
Q.) Does journaling increase IQ?
When addressing such benefits there is no 1 size fits all answer. Like all advice or tools for development , the extent it helps you varies depending on you and your unique circumstances .
However there is studies , in fact decades of them that suggest Journaling in a general sense is beneficial.
One in particular is proven by a 2006 study Stice, Burton, Bearman, & Rohde. Journaling has been shown to have several benefits for cognitive functioning, such as improving memory, reducing stress, and increasing self-awareness.
So… Which Type of Journal is best?
You Decide !
Whether you’re looking to start creative journaling or reflective journaling, the most important thing is to discover a method that works for you. So why not give it a try?
Grab a notebook and pen, and start exploring your creativity and your inner thoughts today! Explore our website and find out the types of journaling resonates with you.
Now you know The “What” check out our other pages on the side or below!