I know you’re thinking one of these things right now…
“Why on earth would I do this?”
“I have no time to start journaling.”
“I’m too busy to have another project!”
“This is soooooo not happening in my lifetime.”
…and at a point in my life, I was there too.
I get it.
In this article, I’ll share my own experience with journaling.
I’ll also review some journaling systems I’ve used over the years with my opinions of those.
Then, I’ll explain reasons I feel journaling is important in terms of enhancing mindfulness in our lives (and finding our sanity in the process!)
Maybe you’ll like some of these.
Maybe not.
But you’ll see what’s worked and not worked for me and maybe that will spark an interest.
First, I’d like to discuss some benefits of journaling…
Benefits of Journaling
Putting pen to paper offers some intriguing and healing benefits that I have come to learn about and reap the benefits from.
I recently read an article by DailyOm.com featuring advantages of journaling and how it affects our mental health…in a good way.
Some of these include relieving depression and anxiety, memory enhancement, easing distress caused by trauma, building greater gratitude, and even getting a better night’s sleep! (See the article HERE to read more.)
Some other benefits I have personally experienced include getting to know myself better, finding a sense of purpose, and getting in touch with my feelings through written expression.
…of anger, frustration, fear, annoyance, embarrassment.
(Yep. All of those warm and fuzzy feelings.)
Journaling became a place where I could vent, rant and rave, swear if I wanted to with nobody hearing me, yell and scream, get messy.
It became a therapeutic experience. I could let it all out, release it, and continue living my life.
And my journal would always be there.
Listening.
Consoling.
Absorbing.
Helping to calm me with its silence and patience as I pushed my pen harder and harder on its pages as my feelings seeped out of me.
Through my hand.
Into the pen.
Deep into the fibers of each page.
Journaling also allows us to take a look back at specific times in our life.
To reminisce.
To see how we have improved.
To understand the hardships and setbacks we encountered, and how we survived and overcame those times and what we learned from them.
To see what needs improvement.
To remind ourselves of the goals we set for ourselves and how we went about carrying those out.
How My Journaling Journey Began
When I was first introduced to journaling, it was with blank sheets inside of a simple spiral-bound school assignment organizer. I was in Junior High School and a lot of my friends, and I enjoyed using this system.
The cover had colorful decorations printed on it, there were different variations on the design available, and it was fun to carry it around knowing that we all had “that assignment book” in our school bags.
The inside pages were geared mostly toward keeping homework assignments in one place throughout the school year, but also allowed for places to scribble notes, keep contact information, add stickers, and other creative opportunities.
(Don’t ask me what the name of this assignment book was called. I am too old to remember the name of it today. Sorry. But if any of you out there do, please let me know!)
There were several blank pages in the back of the organizer where early adulthood journaling could take place.
I did a lot of that on those pages.
As time went on and I got older, I let that organizer go and started the big diary phase!
Remember the adorable little books with the lock on the side that came with a key that we honestly believed nobody could get into except us?
Yep.
That was me.
Except somebody did get into mine.
And it was devastating.
I stopped journaling after that.
For a long time in fact.
My privacy had been violated, I lost trust in the person who committed the invasion, and I started keeping my thoughts in my head instead of on paper.
In my late-twenties, I decided to give it another try.
It was with a digital journaling app that allowed me to upload photos to what I wrote with an entry image and as many pictures I felt like adding to the writing.
It was fulfilling and gratifying.
And it was a huge chunk of my life.
Until it wasn’t anymore.
One day, I got a message from my journaling app’s company saying they needed to do an update so they could enhance my experience.
The only enhancement I experienced after the update was finished was an entire 8 years of journaling entries being wiped clean from my smartphone without even a hint of it happening.
No warnings. No nothing.
I trusted this company.
I loved their app.
I could journal anywhere at the tap of a button on my phone.
I could snap a photo of something or somebody and instantly insert those pictures into a new entry.
It was great.
I was a happy customer.
But not after that update finished.
The Happy Planner by Me and My Big Ideas
Since that time, a friend who knew my digital journaling nightmare suggested I try again.
She used a physical journal/organizing system called ‘The Happy Planner’.
It sounded interesting so I gave it a chance.
This planner system became a constant reminder to me to just have fun in my life and not be so serious.
I feel that the company’s intention is to spread joy and happiness across the many consumers of this fun-looking, user-friendly system.
In a nutshell, I used ‘The Happy Planner‘ every year for 7 years! (Needless to say, I enjoyed them very much.)
Me and My Big Ideas is the company that makes these creatively appealing designs and organizing systems.
They offer various sizes (I always used the ‘classic’ size), layouts, accessories, and themes.
As you can see above, these are the planners I used for 7 years in a row.
(… and yes, I got carried away with the faux cherry blossom blooms I decorated the photos with. Forgive me. I was feeling creative!)
VISUAL APPEAL: Fun, cheerfully-designed covers, monthly inspirational sayings and quotes to get each month off to a great start throughout the interior pages (see July’s inspiring saying above), and easy-to-use and-understand calendar and planning pages inside.
FUNCTIONALITY – I’ve used this planning system for 7 years, so it goes without saying that I truly enjoyed this product.
In regard to journaling, I used the daily spaces as a journaling system, then the 2-page monthly calendar layout is where I would note appointments and reminders.
It comes with contact pages, calendars, and more.
ENJOYMENT OF USE: My enjoyment was high, no doubt. It is a fun, light-hearted organizer loaded with personality.
I would have liked to have had included pages specifically for journaling, but the way I did it saved dollars and worked for me.
There are lined sheets you can purchase to add if you want that.
CONSTRUCTION: These would last a good year pretty well.
There are zipper binder cases that you can purchase to have better security with the planners, but I just kept mine bound with either a plastic band system or a pen holder elastic band that held the binder closed.
Another interesting feature of this planner is that it uses a disc system for its binding. This is something I had to adjust to. But it didn’t take long.
There are no coils, rings, or snap-closures. Instead, colorful, plastic, punched discs that hold this planner together.
I wasn’t sure how these would hold the planner together in the beginning, but after using it, it just made sense.
LAYOUT / SIZE: I always used the ‘classic’ size planner. It wasn’t too large that it was in the way or too small that I needed more writing space.
(It was the “just right” Goldilocks size!)
I also stuck to the vertical layout for the inside pages. It just made more sense to me and my right brain way of thinking.
DURABILITY: By the end of the year, each planner would start to peel a little at the outside corners.
But considering that it is a heavily laminated paper cover, I feel it is pretty sturdy and durable despite.
That never bothered me enough to complain about it.
PRICE POINT: The great part of The Happy Planner is the pricing.
Depending on the season, the style, and size, any accessories you add on, these pretty planners range anywhere from $19.99 on up.
These won’t break the bank, and I used to look forward to December every year so I could order my new planner for the following year
Around the World Refillable Journal by Jenni Bick
(Yes. More cherry blossoms.)
I had a brief interlude with the Around the World Refillable Journal by Jenni Bick after my stint with The Happy Planner years.
I fell in love with the soft subtle leather cover, the attached elastic band to keep the journal closed when not in use or use as a bookmark (great if you’re prone to losing things!), and the simple, straightforward system of plain pages just thirsting for my words on their welcoming pages.
I found this journal by chance in an email I received from the company. I opened the message and they had me at “handmade leather simplicity”.
VISUAL APPEAL: Simple, subtle leather that’s durable and sturdy, beige interior pages divided into two separate notebooks inside along with an elastic string to hold the covers closed when not in use. Elegant, rich color.
FUNCTIONALITY: Two blank-paged thin notebooks are enclosed in a butter-soft leather cover with this journaling system.
Sleek and able to be tucked into a standard-sized handbag or a carry-on bag, I found the functionality of this to be useful, enjoyable, and a no-nonsense system.
I found after using it for a while that I needed more of a planner system along with a journaling system, but for a stand-alone journaling system, I found this to be a great choice.
ENJOYMENT OF USE: I liked the experience of feeling the soft leather cover in my hands.
I chose the larger brown leather version with the 2 notebooks included inside that are refillable. So convenient!
CONSTRUCTION: Handmade leather that is super soft to the touch is thick enough to protect the interior journal refills, while the elastic closure string holds well and doesn’t fray.
The interior journaling pages are separated by paper coverings and the pages themselves are thick enough but thin enough for your favorite pen to glide across with ease.
LAYOUT / SIZE: This larger size was perfect for me. Though smaller and larger versions are available, it’s more of a personal choice when deciding on what works best for you.
This particular journal just worked for me.
I could slip it into either my handbag or the pocket of one, and some people I imagine could carry it in a larger binder or organizer.
DURABILITY: The durability over the years has not let me down.
The soft leather exterior feels comforting when held and is made to last.
I never experienced any fraying or problems with any part of this journal.
PRICE POINT: This journal will set you back in the area of $29 and up depending on the size and style.
The larger version I used was $43 and change. Not bad considering the quality you get for the price.
Millie Zipper Binder and Blooms 2-Page Per Day Ring-Bound Planner by Franklin Covey
After my stint with the Jenni Bick journal, I found myself introduced to a new friend…
…the Franklin Covey planning system.
Franklin Covey is known for their inspirational, motivating, and organized sense of living life. Their planning systems seem to tie all they believe in together with a neat bow.
Again, choosing the ‘classic’ sized planning system, this planner offers a 2-page monthly calendar layout with a 2-page daily layout that includes one page for appointments, managing your schedule, and other notes.
The other page allows for journaling and note-taking.
Choosing the ‘Blooms’ pattern for the planner pages was just a no-brainer for me.
The zipper binder I selected for the planner system seemed appropriate for me in the pale seashell pink.
It felt personal to me to have a binder color that coordinates with my personality and my writing business.
VISUAL APPEAL: A stunning selection of colors is available for the binding product, while the interior planning pages are chosen separately and offered in several patterns and styles.
FUNCTIONALITY: Easy, manageable, and manageable. I love starting my day with a glance at my appointments and a few minutes journaling on the opposite page every morning.
The zipper binder offers security and protection of anything I have inside.
ENJOYMENT OF USE: Empowering, in control, and on top of things. These are the things this planner system makes me feel!
My mornings are off to a better start having this delightful and beautiful planner in my arms to begin each day.
CONSTRUCTION: The binder zipper cover is made of a simulated leather that has an authentic leather look and pebbled texture.
The ‘Blooms’ patterned pages inside offer seasonal colors and designs to guide you through the year.
Pages are thick enough and not flimsy, and you can tell that great care went into designing them.
LAYOUT / SIZE: My typical go-to size is the ‘classic’ size planner or journal.
Though these planner pages and binder systems come in various sizes.
I again chose the ‘classic’ sized system because it just works best for my personal needs.
DURABILITY: Well-constructed material with the zipper binder, sturdy hardware inside, and multiple convenient pockets inside on both the front and back covers offer unexpected storage and accessibility.
The inside planning pages are thick enough to withstand lots of writing and offer lots of room for most anything with encouraging quotes to inspire you throughout the day.
PRICE POINT: Since this planning system offers its products ala carte (so-to-say), the price point is a bit higher.
The zipper binder cover in the ‘classic’ size I purchased here was $114.95.
The planner pages were $49.95, but that is for a full year with the “2-page per day” page layout.
I just needed a separate page each day for my journaling and to be able to see my planner page and my journal page at the same time.
You choose what’s right for you.
Wrapping Things Up
I find functionality and convenience to be a significant part of any product I decide to purchase.
That goes for journals as well.
(I love anything that will help make my life easier!)
My feelings about digital journals?
No matter how terrific and amazing they are, the fear of technological glitches keeps me from enjoying them any longer.
After reading my experience above, you can understand why. And therein lies my reason for choosing physical planner/journal systems from now on.
Physical journals can be shared with those close to you, buried in a time capsule for your children or others close to you to find many years later.
They can also be the start to learning about becoming mindful and everything amazing that goes along with that.
Journaling should be a special treasured period of time in your day.
I do mine mostly in the early morning hours before the birds sing and the sun comes up.
It’s a peaceful meditative time for me.
There’s something’s out there in the silence that inspires me and encourages me.
MY MINDFUL REQUEST:
Go find your inspiration with mindful journaling and let me know what you discover!
Note: I did not receive any compensation from the above companies to write this post.