All growing up I always kept your standard blank diary and journal. I loved the blank pages but I always did struggle with what to write so I’d write about my day and various things. Lots of doodles and randomness. It was a free-for-all…which I liked. But lately I’ve been having a hard time and just stare at the blank pages unsure of what to write and not feeling very inspired. I think maybe it’s because blogging has become that sort of outlet for me I just don’t feel excited when I have blank pages in front of me.
So when I was preparing for the new year (this post is still totally relevant any day you feel like you want to make changes and slay some goals) I decided to grab 52 Lists For Happiness and 99 Ideas to try a more guided/interactive journalling experience with prompts and such.
It’s definitely been a game-changer for me — I’m excited about journalling again in a different way. I love the inspiration and the things that I’ve begun to think about. Some of the prompts are fun and some have been integral in thinking about The Big Things in my life. I’ve LOVED it and it’s renewed my journal obsession in a way I haven’t felt in a while.
So now I’m obsessed with guided/interactive type journals with prompts and I thought it might be fun to showcase some of the ones I’m most interested in once I finish this one! So if you feel like you want a private journal-y space again but want some guided help/prompts, this list is for you! There are so many different types with different focuses for where you might be in your life right now.
DO: Inspiration Book: I AM OBSESSED WITH ALL THE KIKKI.K JOURNALS!! This collection of them (there this one, SHARE {making a difference in the world around you sort of stuff}, ENJOY & DREAM) and the prompts are just amazing. This one focuses on DOING..and creating the life that you want! They are pricey but the actual best ones I’ve ever seen and I plan to get ALL of them at some point.
99 Ideas Book: 99 prompts to help you seize the day and live life fully! LOVE this journal so much!
88 Mindful Moments: If you are trying to be more mindful this year, this is a journal with 88 prompts to help you!
Dreams Journal: This is definitely the journal for the dreamers out there! Put pen to paper and let those dreams go wild…no limits!
Create Your Life Plan: If you struggle when people ask where you see yourself in 5 or 10 years…check out this journal to get your brain thinking. Super thought-provoking questions to really get you thinking about your life plan!
Surprise Yourself: This one looks SO fun! If getting outside of your comfort zone is something you are working on and you really want to make every day count, check this one out! (Also find Surprise Yourself at Barnes and Noble)
Mindfulness Journal: Another one for those trying to be more mindful and present! I liked the description of this one: “This journal is filled with prompts, quotes and bits of advice for those looking to reflect upon the quotidian experiences that often pass unnoticed every day. It’s a guide to mindful appreciation of the places and people all around you – and offers an interactive investigation of inner peace, solace and meaning that will elevate your state of mind.” (Also available for purchase at Barnes and Noble)
Bucket List Fill In Journal: I think this is a fun one because I struggle with the bucket list concept but this guided journal looks like a great way to think about your bucket list! Gives you room to talk about your WHY and the specifics of a bucket list item and then space to talk about the after which I REALLY like. Thoughtful way to do it, I think!
Find Your Balance Journal: “Energize and recharge your life with this guided journal featuring 32 prompts to help you focus on the important things.” I love taking time out of our daily life to get back to what is important — I get caught up too much in things that aren’t!
A Sentence A Day Journal: This one is a nice spin on the concept of a sentence a day journal (which I always struggled with…what to say about my day in one sentence??) but this one has prompts to help you come up with your sentence for the day. SUPER doable even for the busiest among us! No excuses!
Goals: Inspiration Journal: If you are working on some goals hardcore, this journal might just be the thing that helps you SLAY em. It helps dive into your goals and asks important questions and provides a good framework to help you achieve them.
Gratitude Journal: Can never have enough gratitude! If you want something really different to take time to think about what you are thankful for, this one really guides you with different prompts. The one prompt I saw is a reverse bucket list and I LOVE that idea.
52 Lists For Happiness: If you are short on time but LOVE lists…this is such a great pick! There’s such inspiring and thought-provoking lists and then there is an action step which I love! If you want to dig deep into what makes you happy, check this out! (Also available for purchase at Barnes and Noble)
The 52 Lists Project: I believe this was the original list journal and then the happiness one above came next! A great set of list prompts to get you thinking! I think I love that you could totally write a journal entry in a notebook or a blog post to expound on some of this if you wanted to go beyond the lists. But I like the idea, like with the one before, to have this when short on time because I can easily think about the list prompt for the week and really think about it and add to it all week. (Purchase from Barnes and Noble)
The Gratitude Journal For Women: Quotes and positive prompts combine to help you recognize what you are grateful for! This would be perfect to add to your morning routine — all you need is like 5 minutes to sit down with this while drinking your cup of coffee! Self care, for sure!
Start Where You Are: Thought-provoking questions, beautifully designed pages & inspirational quotes — perfect for self exploration. I think this one is good for creatives. (Also available at Barnes and Noble)
This Time Next Year: This one is a prompt a day for some serious journalling action! A year of self exploration? YES PLEASE. (Also available at Barnes & Noble)
Good Days Start With Gratitude Journal: Want to cultivate gratitude? This journal focuses on just that! It looks to be more just an actual gratitude journal rather than having different prompts but I like being intentional about a habit I’m trying to cultivate so I like the format of this.
Present Over Perfect journal: If slowing down, being more present and cutting yourself some slack are on your New Year’s resolutions for this year, this guided journal would be a great start!
Life By Design journal: If you are struggling to figure out your purpose and want to journal it out to help figure out where you want to go, check this one out!
I would LOVE to hear about any of your favorite guided/interactive journals! I have such an obsession now and it’s really reigniting my love for taking some quiet time to journal daily!
[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.
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JoeHx says
Hmmm my wife likes journalling – probably the idea of journalling more than journalling itself since she has many blank journals. Maybe I’ll get her one of the journals with prompts for her birthday.
Jamie says
HAHA I relate to your wife so much. I have a graveyard of empty journals in a bin and my husband is like WHY DO YOU NEED MORE NOTEBOOKS AND STUFF IF YOU HAVE ALL THOSE?!? That would be such a fun and thoughtful birthday present! Major husband points!!
Blu says
Just reading this makes me inspired. I don’t know why I’m so lazy to sit down and write and I think writing prompts will not only help me get out of my head, but also help me improve my writing!
http://Www.liveloveblu.com
Jamie says
YES this is exactly me these days. I look at my notebook and I’m like I should write things….and then I’m like yeah maybe I will watch tv instead. Guided journalling has been such a game changer for me!
Esther McCartney says
Wow! Such great ides for journaling! I’m not great at journaling, but I think these prompts would help me express my thoughts. I love the bucket list journal to not just have a list but the why behind the list!
Jamie says
They are game changers I think if you struggle with traditional journaling! And YES I always am like”oh this is on my bucket list” but then never dig deeper.
Christine says
Oh I love this, mainly because I love journals. But i have to be honest, I don’t journal much anymore like I did when I was a kid. Now i find that I collect beautiful journals but use them to write notes, lists, ideas/thoughts. Is that journaling? LOL Thee are great recommendations. I’ll be sure to check them out to add to my collection.
Jamie says
SAME. I always was such an avid journaler as a kid but i really fell out of love with it. This has been a game changer for me! And omg I AM THE SAME…I have so many pretty journals that have random lists and notes and blog ideas and stuff. I say it’s journaling haha.
Sarah Althouse says
OOoh I’ve definitely been staring at some blank pages and could use some prompts too. I love the 52 lists idea!
Jamie says
It’s SUCH a great book. Love the variety of lists! And I’m telling you….it’s been YEARS since I’ve been this excited about journaling!
Mike Morgan says
I love gratitude journaling myself, it’s easy to get wrapped up in minor things that are going wrong. Sometimes you need to take some time to be grateful for the things have gone right. Great post. Interesting prompts as well!
Natalia says
I used to do journaling when I was a teenager, however I was never consistent enough. I admire people who are passionate and find time to write something on a daily basis 🙂
Ciera Chang says
All of these journals sound amazing!! I definitely need to get one with prompts for the days I don’t know what to write about.
kate Werthmann says
I think im going to look into an actual inspiration journal instead of just a notebook that I lose constantly. I add in photos and websites to look back on later when i need it. mostly it’s about travel and events id enjoy building… What do you recommend?
Nicole says
This list of journals has me inspired to get back into journaling. I have to admit, those blank pages staring back at me got a little old, and I’ve been on quite the hiatus. Thank you for all of the ideas!
Lea says
I love the 52 List books – some of us on IG are doing them on Sundays and using #52ListsSundays if you want to share your pages! Start Where You Are is a good one. I also like Q&A a Day a 5 year journal (just finished it in December), I got One Question a Day a 5 year journal to replace it and started it in Jan. 100 Days of All About Me is really cool – I did it last year and now it’s a book you can get on Amazon.
Sara | mshealthesteem.com says
I absolutely love to Gratitude Journal. I started shortly after my Graves Disease diagnosis and it really helped me find my way back to a happier place! It’s amazing how it can help you to see the silver lining. Such a wonderful form of self care.
It’s truly awesome that there are so many forms of journaling. You can really get so much out of it! Thanks for sharing ♡
Shauna says
I used to love journaling! Such a great way to end the day, take time to reflect and unwind in the process. I haven’t used a journal in a long time but these interactive ones seem like a great way to get back into it!
Christina says
Now I’m inspired to pull out my journal. These are some wonderful suggestions to help make that a habit.
Dia says
Love this. I’m always looking for ways to beef up my journaling. I used to journal as a child and have tried to get back into it as an adult but nothing stuck. Finally in October I started a practice and just finished my first spiral last night. It’s so important to reflect and check in with yourself without distractions.
Nicki says
I love these ideas and I am going to incorporate some of these ideas into my bullet journal
Andie says
Journalling is like self therapy!! Even just buying a journal makes me feel so happy inside!!😂
Lauren says
Great info! I still haven’t found a journal/planner that I love. I will look into these.
Lauren @ Bookmark Lit says
I love this – I bought one of those “one line per day” journal things that lasts five years, with you being able to see your thoughts from the previous years on that page, and it was a lot of fun… while it lasted. I have a hard time staying motivated but this post is inspiring me to give it a shot! Probably starting with the 52 lists per year would be good, because it’s less pressure than every day journaling.
Gayathri says
I love this post. I love journaling but I agree that they can become boring and hard to continue once the novelty wears off. And that is why these fun to do journals you have mentioned are so perfect. I am gonna buy a few of them as a gift to myself.